batmobl

Reminds me of my college days Good info though nonetheless.

robinzon

Please spare me your physics lessons, since clearly you don't know much about transformers. On a 50v system or less transformer will draw about 2-3 times the wattage marked on the transformer (maximum). A 35watt transformer will draw somewhere around 90 watt max on the line... (again that is assuming a 40-50 volt system... on a 12 volt system its even less ) so do the math. Now the ballast is transistor based its NOT a transformer.. just so that you know. Even it was your logic has nothing to do with this discussion. Look at how much the unit draws BEFORE stepping up the voltage.

Transformers step up the voltages they DO NOT CHANGE POWER!! That is called the LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY. So apply Ohm's law correctly if the voltage goes up the amperage drops. Transformers DO NOT CHANGE the actual Wattage at the circuit they simply increase the Voltage, THAT IS ALL. Again the ballast is electronic... it can't draw more wattage then is being fed into it. its NOT AN AMPLIFIER.

The G Man

You are assuming that the incoming current is always the same. On start up the ballast will draw more current than in operation mode. Much like a fluorescent lighting system, it takes more current which is transform to volatge thru a ballast to start up a fluorescent light or HID.

loflin

G-man, though you have Ohm's law correct, you mis-understand the concept of starter caps (capacitors, ballast, etc.).

If Voltage goes up, and Wattage stays the same, what does current do? If goes down.

A starter circuit builds the voltage, the current starts at time zero as 0, because at time zero the resistance is infinite. The cap/starter/ballast fires, the super high voltage cause the gas to ionize and form a conducting path. As the conducting path is formed, the resistance lowers, the voltage drops and the current goes up... until it hits the steady state for that circuit. In the ideal case the wattage stays constant.

This is the perfect case. In reality there are some losses and other factors. But the above is still representative.

A good circuit (i.e. purchased components and the installation) need to ensure there are not other factors that would inhibit the above process. Like bad connections (increased resistance to the point where the circuit won't fire or won't end in steady state). Or weak insulation (so that the high voltage induces an ionizing arc outside of the bulb!). Or an undersized ballast (so that a higher voltage is needed to cause the bulb to fire, than the ballast is rated for, ultimately causing failure in the ballast).

The G Man

Loflin, Thank you for that explaination. So the only part that needs to be high voltage rated is the wire harness after the ballast.

robinzon

Loflin thank you for calrifying to these people what I have been saying all along....

G-man why post in the first place if you did not know WHAT IN THE WORLD you were talking about until it was explained to you?!? bottom line.. .get decen components (ie BALLAST!!! ) and a good bulb... whether you use a relay or direct connection is entirely up to you... remember if the relay harness is not that great of a quality having one will not do much for you.

The G Man

robinzon,

What Loflin sad made sense, since thats that is the characteristic of a basic capacitor charging circuit. What you said not only do not make any sense but it is also un-true.

Johnny Mo

Okay so we all have had our electrical engineering lessons for the week - let's keep the discussion civil and do away with the you don't know what you are talking about nonsense. I definitely don't know what I'm talking about at this technical a level, and I'm sure everyone meant well. The points of clarification are noted and welcomed from all sides, so lets move on.

The CL Mods

loflin

G Man, I'm not an expert in HID design or the components. I was trying to explain the difference between high Voltage and high Power (wattage).

By virtue of Ohm's law (plus others) you can "trade" voltage for current, or vice versa, but you can not increase power, without an additional power source input.

In general, and this should apply for HID kits also, the difference between good and not as good, is not so evident on first use. If a supplier supplies garbage that fails out of the box, they won't be in business long (under that business name anyway). But a supplier who supplies almost "too good a deal", probably has components that will work, but are not sized to handle tolerances or "life time".

So my philosophy, is too go with known brands/businesses and use personal reference (like this forum), and stay away from ebay type "stores" that have a great deal and have been in business for all of 6 months or less.

jkri

Hi I have a 06 gx470 sport package and everyone told me to buy 8000K hid lights from xtralights.com
they are japanese maufacturer and are supposed to be greaat.

batmobl

I am interested in a hid kit too. let me know how this turns out. Thanks

rklages

I read up on all the info in the forum and decided that XenonDepot was the way to go - all name brand, the super slim ballast etc etc - everyone has had a good experience, so I ordered a 4300k kit today for my 06 - I think it is worth the extra $75 over the competition.

I haven't got them yet (obviosly) but to date, xenondepot has been awesome, ordered, couple hours later got the notification that my unit would ship first thing in the morning DHL overnight and I would get it on Wednesday - all that for $25 standar shipping. I will let you know how they install and look, but judging by the feedback all that will go well!

Rob

rklages

Got my kit today xenondepot 4300K - put them in, in about an hour and half, really good kit, only disappointment was absolutely no instructions in my kit, but thank goodness for Tony's post https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...&highlight=hid that had a pic of the wiring diagram and instructions. Install is easy, although the helpfull holes Tony mentions are gone in the 06!

I will take it out on the weekend at night and let you know how it looks.

Thanks for all you guys on the Forum, if it wasn't for the forum, I probably would have spent less money on one of the kits that people have issues with and I would have been waiting until tomorrow to get the missing instructions sent to me.

Rob

batmobl

Post some pictures if you get a chance.

ELEX470

Check the HID link out
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LEXUS...39716661QQrdZ1
Looks good!