Where to mount ballasts on HIDs
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Where to mount ballasts on HIDs
Got my first set of eBay HIDs for my fogs.
Wondering just where and how those who have done this mounted their ballast modules?
Mine did not come with brackets, just large squares of double faced tape pads.
Thanks,
Jim
Wondering just where and how those who have done this mounted their ballast modules?
Mine did not come with brackets, just large squares of double faced tape pads.
Thanks,
Jim
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
I have read most of the HID threads, but I was hoping for some specifics and feedback on which locations worked well. As I said, mine came without brackets and this is a concern as I doubt the sticky pads will hold long under the heat of the ballasts and the vibration.
Last edited by jrprich; Sep 20, 2007 at 08:27 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
the splash guards is a popular place, and very easy to get to if you drive up on ramps and get the access panels off. if you only have one set on each side you can put them under the brake ducts. There isn't enough room to fit 2 in there if you also add low beams.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 2
From: Palm Desert CA
Take a look at this post:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1629984
This will tell you all you need to know!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1629984
This will tell you all you need to know!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Take a look at this post:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1629984
This will tell you all you need to know!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1629984
This will tell you all you need to know!
That's where I installed mine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
The brackets wouldn't help you much, since there's nowhere to screw them onto under the hood. Mine came with brackets so I used them. I zip-tied two ballasts on each side to the brake ducts themselves, because I was worried that the tape might pop loose, like you are. I just put a 3rd set in yesterday, and used 3M double-sided tape to stick them vertically on the inside of the bumper against the outside wall. Judging by how strong body side moldings are stuck to our cars with that tape, it'll hold an elephant!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Already did my lows and dont like how/where the ballasts are. Going to work on installing my fogs within the next few minutes. I am planning on putting them on the frame rail..may use double sticky tape or some other method.
I'll fab up something and post pics........ here and main thread.
I'll fab up something and post pics........ here and main thread.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Under the headlight on the "backside of the wheel wheel
You can access this location from under the car by removing the access plates or from above the car by removing the head light covers and headlight mechanism ( 15 torx and 2, 10 mm bolts)
NOTE on many eBay kits from more than one seller, the ploarity of the 12V wiring is backwards. If the lights don't fire, turn the plug around. It won't lock, but it is snug enough.
If you don't like that you can carefully remove the wiring spades from the female connector and reverse them.
You can access this location from under the car by removing the access plates or from above the car by removing the head light covers and headlight mechanism ( 15 torx and 2, 10 mm bolts)
NOTE on many eBay kits from more than one seller, the ploarity of the 12V wiring is backwards. If the lights don't fire, turn the plug around. It won't lock, but it is snug enough.
If you don't like that you can carefully remove the wiring spades from the female connector and reverse them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
First, just a comparison between the HID bulb and the stock Fog bulb. Amazing difference!
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Mounted the Fog Light ballasts on the inside of the frame rail forward and pointing down (to keep moisture off) and cleaned the area with lacquer thinner. I really don't think it will come off cause it stuck like a magnet!
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Ballast Locations. If you have the ones with mounting brackets I used the long end of that to go between the lower lip and wheel well as an 'anchor' then used double sided 3M© tape just to hold it in place.
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Final Result - (courtesy of mcgiles)
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SIMPLY AMAZING! ----->
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Mounted the Fog Light ballasts on the inside of the frame rail forward and pointing down (to keep moisture off) and cleaned the area with lacquer thinner. I really don't think it will come off cause it stuck like a magnet!
.
.
.
.
.
Ballast Locations. If you have the ones with mounting brackets I used the long end of that to go between the lower lip and wheel well as an 'anchor' then used double sided 3M© tape just to hold it in place.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Final Result - (courtesy of mcgiles)
.
.
SIMPLY AMAZING! ----->
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
I wish I had thought of that, although I think my Vararam is in the way of putting them on the frame rails. I have all three of mine stuck with 3M adhesive tape to the inside of the fender splash guards. back to back to back then stuck to the fender. they are wire tied for extra security. there is no solid mechanical connection holding them on, and it is alot of weight. based on the amount of weight the tape is rated for I have a safety margin of several hundred percent. but if the heat or vibration take their toll I'll just drill a couple of holes through that inner fender guard and either wrap wire ties through the holes and around the splash guard, or install one of the mounting brackets to slide the innermost one into then tie the rest together securely. I was looking down there and having a nut down there would not interfere with anything, and you would be hard pressed to ever see it unless the wheel was off. paint it back and it would be completely invisible and still many inches away from the rotating tire.
but if the heat or vibration take their toll I'll just drill a couple of holes through that inner fender guard and either wrap wire ties through the holes and around the splash guard, or install one of the mounting brackets to slide the innermost one into then tie the rest together securely. I was looking down there and having a nut down there would not interfere with anything, and you would be hard pressed to ever see it unless the wheel was off. paint it back and it would be completely invisible and still many inches away from the rotating tire.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
I used the frame rails as per HID expert jdmvette. Tucked them up as far front as they would go to leave room for the second set for my low beams. Then I wrapped a pair of zip ties around the frame rail and ballast just for safety.
Install went fine, but some tips for others;
1. pre fit all the connections as they were very stiff on all of mine. Use plenty of dielectric grease
2. connect the bulbs to the wiring while outside of the car and leave the plastic covers on the bulbs so you can fish them under the rails in safety.
3. make all the connections you can outside of the car and then fish the the bulbs under the rails and remove the plastic cover (wear latex gloves) and install the bulbs into the sockets.......they are a tight fit!
4. Test the lights before mounting the ballasts and tying every thing down.
5. Clean the back of the ballast and frame rails with alcohol before applying the double face tape.
Install went fine, but some tips for others;
1. pre fit all the connections as they were very stiff on all of mine. Use plenty of dielectric grease
2. connect the bulbs to the wiring while outside of the car and leave the plastic covers on the bulbs so you can fish them under the rails in safety.
3. make all the connections you can outside of the car and then fish the the bulbs under the rails and remove the plastic cover (wear latex gloves) and install the bulbs into the sockets.......they are a tight fit!
4. Test the lights before mounting the ballasts and tying every thing down.
5. Clean the back of the ballast and frame rails with alcohol before applying the double face tape.