What is a xenon headlight ballast?

What is a xenon headlight ballast?

A HID Ballast is a device required by a xenon headlight (bus also for fluorescent lamps) to regulate voltage and current supplied to the lamp during start. A buck converter (responsible for optimising lamp current and power) And an output stage to drive the lamp.

Do you need a ballast for xenon headlights?

In order to keep your Xenon HID lights working properly, you’ll need a HID ballast. The ballast is an important part of your HID light setup and is essential if you want your Xenon HIDs to work properly.

What happens when a headlight ballast goes bad?

Dimming or Flickering Headlights If your HID bulb cannot produce its full brightness or strobe periodically, this is most probably a ballast problem. When a ballast begins to fail, it may have problems regulating and providing a stable current, hence the dimming and flickering of your light source.

What is a Xenon ballast control unit?

Replacement HID OR Xenon Ballast – is responsible for supplying power to your headlight’s bulb. These ballasts are commonly mounted either on the back or on the bottom of the headlights.

Can a 35W HID bulb with 55W ballast?

You can use 55w ballasts with standard 35w bulbs, but the life of the bulb will be shortened a bit, and their color will Wash Out a bit.

How do I know if my xenon bulbs are bad?

Xenon HID headlight bulbs that are buzzing, dim/losing brightness, flickering, randomly turning off, changing colors, or if they are simply not turning on are not necessarily the victim of a bad ballast. In fact, the issue can be related to one or more of the other components found in lights.

How do I know my ballast is bad?

If your fluorescent lighting is displaying any of the signs below, it could be a symptom of a bad ballast:

1. Flickering.
2. Buzzing.
3. Delayed start.
4. Low output.
5. Inconsistent lighting levels.
6. Switch to an electronic ballast, keep lamp.
7. Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to a T8 fluorescent.

How long do xenon ballasts last?

A well maintained ballast can last up to 20 years, which is multiple times longer than a bulb’s lifespan.

Do you need a ballast for a xenon HID?

In order to keep your Xenon HID lights working properly, you’ll need a HID ballast. The ballast is an important part of your HID light setup and is essential if you want your Xenon HIDs to work properly. In this post we’ll cover what a HID ballast is, what it does, and why you need one.

Where are the ballasts on a hid headlight?

Every ballast is designed to connect directly to your vehicle and requires NO programming or coding. Each of your vehicle’s headlights has its own ballast. These ballasts are commonly mounted either on the back or on the bottom of the headlight. While the HID Xenon Ballasts do commonly fail so can your factory headlight bulb.

What kind of ballast does a BMW headlight use?

The HID or Xenon Ballast in your BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Chrysler, Lincoln, Jaguar, Volkswagen, Dodge, Saab, Subaru or Hyundai vehicle is responsible for supplying power to your headlight’s bulb. Overtime your HID Ballast can fail resulting in a headlight that flickers or does not turn on at all.

Why does my Xenon headlight ballast keep failing?

Sometimes the ballasts were installed near a hot surface, and the ballast enters in “safe mode”, so it shuts down to avoid being damaged. When the ballasts cool down, they start to work fine again. Ballasts tend to fail because of time, heat and moisture.