We had a close shave at our shop tonight. One of our customers brought in his C5 that had the full kill, HID headlight conversion done to it. He said that it smelled like burning wires but he couldn't find the problem. It happened when he was at a stop while driving at night. As it turned out, his HID kit was supplied with this industrial strength velcro and was supposed to be used to attach the ballast to the forward side of the front wheel wells. Over time the velcro stickum gave up and so the Ballast was hanging from the lead that goes to the light bulb (both sides of the car were this way). Well one of the leads from the ballast to the bulb started to rotate and became partially unplugged. This caused an arc and almost caught fire. We replaced the bulb because the Arcing had trashed the contact points. As for the ballast, we felt that we couldn't trust the velcro so we "zip tied" each of them to the top of the front brake ducts. It didn't cause any tension to the ballast to bulb lead, and should stay there for good. One thing to watch out for is that the Hella ballast to bulb leads connect to the bulbs by turning counter clockwise, while the bulb attaches to the lens assembly by turning it clockwise. Double check after installing the bulb that you didn't accidently undo the ballast to bulb lead or the Gods of Fire may come for a visit.

I don't think that the insurance company would be too sympathetic toward the light mod. :eek:


[Modified by C5stein, 11:41 PM 3/25/2002]

 

C5stein,

WOW, we have never run into a problem like this.

Which HID kit was this and who installed it?

When installing HID kits, ALWAYS make sure that the bulbs and ballasts are secured in place and make sure there is no way they will ever come loose.

It is good that you took care of it.

Shawn

 

Shawn, actually several members have their ballasts installed with Velcro (tm) in this manner. See this thread from this past February (complete with photos):

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=239809


Including in the same area (fender wells), as C5stein noted above.

 

Shawn, It was a Phoenix Micro-lite setup. The owner had his buddy install it for him.

The directions should say to not trust the velcro unless you have an absolutely flat and clean surface.

I could see that where the installer attempeted to stick the velcro was not absolutely flat. The problem that we encountered is probably common for anyone working from the top of the car reaching through the small spaces under the headlights. The contorted angle that you need to put your arm makes it hard to get good placement of the ballast/starter. We go from both the top and bottom when we install them. I guess that is the luxury of having a lift in your shop.

Mark

:cheers:

 

:eek: :eek: :eek:

I found very flat vertical surface (I would say it's absolutely flat) behind light fixture. I have attached the Ballast vertically using only Velcro. Before attaching the Ballast, I cleaned the surface completely to avoid exactly what you said. However I am not sure how long it will stay. So I may have to check it periodically and secure it using super glue.
Anyway thanks for warning.

I put 2nd stage Philips HID (6000K) to T84 and only what I can say is WOW! I absolutely love it.

 

Jinki,
Thanks for the input. That flat spot behind the light is where this one was stuck, so keep a look out for it comming loose. :crazy:

 

I've seen lot's of posts of guys adding different lighting, usually higher wattage. Unless you have an understanding of electricity, wire sizing, fuse sizing etc, you really should stay away from such mods. I've been in the electrical business for 28 years, and I won't add any aftermarket lighting to my car.

 

I sure hope you mean it is mounted horizontally :smash: