Installed Slim HID Kit (w/pics)

72044 Views 162 Replies 47 Participants Last post by Vester72, Oct 20, 2013

hybrid

Discussion Starter · Apr 21, 2011 (Edited)

I decided to just install an aftermarket HID Kit into my ct200h

Package Content

-2 Slim Ballast
-2 6000k H11 Bulbs
-2 Metal Mounting Plates
-6 Screws and Nuts

Time to install: 30mins -1.5hrs

***PLEASE READ*** REGARDING POLARITY!
Red wire (Xenon Kit) ---> Purple wire (Harness for OEM bulb)
Black wire (Xenon Kit) ---> White/black wire (Harness for OEM bulb)

Installed the mounting plates

Driver side was mounted on a screw holding the fuse box directly behind the driver side headlight

Passenger side will be mounted by the container that holds the pink liquid. You can unbolt the 2 screws that hold the container to tuck the wires behind (underneath) the containers (shown in the second pictured below)

Night time view

Daytime picture

Cutoff

Overall, satisfied with a $60 kit with lifetime warranty on both bulbs and ballast. Although, the periphery illuminance could be better, $60 versus $1200 LED option justifies, in my opinion, the reduced performance.

Other Members Kits

jblack - DDM Raptor 4500k

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41 - 60 of 163 Posts

acf53ct200h

· #41 · May 4, 2011

btw, I got the 6000k, although a slight hint of blue, it's doesn't look tacky at all. Looks really "stock"

acf53ct200h

· #42 · May 5, 2011

Tae, is there an email address I can send the jpeg files to. The files are 1.5 mbytes each. Too large for attachments here

Hey Gurl

· #43 · May 5, 2011 (Edited)

I'm too chicken... It would be my luck for something to FRY. I'll just have to stick with my not-so bright Phillips CrystalVison H11 bulbs. That I installed MYSELF. I must admit, those bulbs are not very bright. From the inside, it almost looks like my headlights are not on. Thank goodness for the foglights. I may have to test out another brand or go up to 5000k.

If I don't go any higher than 5000k, then my wonderful, loving husband should NOT give me a ticket. hehe

P.S. Hello lurking husband...

Bob259

· #44 · May 5, 2011

Hey Gurl said:
I'm too chicken... It would be my luck for something to FRY. I'll just have to stick with my not-so bright Phillips CrystalVison H11 bulbs. That I installed MYSELF. I must admit, those bulbs are not very bright. From the inside, it almost looks like my headlights are not on. Thank goodness for the foglights. I may have to test out another brand or go up to 5000k.

If I don't go any higher than 5000k, then my wonderful, loving husband should NOT give me a ticket. hehe

P.S. Hello lurking husband...

I've had better luck and was happier with the Piaa Super Whites. They also seem to last more then 8-12 months before blowing out of all the other brands. I have LED's on the CT but will be installing the Piaa's for the high beams so they match the white of the LED's. Mixed emotions on changing the fogs though. The 'yellower' stock bulbs actually work better in the fog and snow.

Hey Gurl

· #45 · May 5, 2011

Bob: Good idea! I had Piaa's on my G37 and they were great. I forgot about that brand. I even have some leftover Piaa's...but the wrong bulb size. Darn it! ;-) Thanks Bob

jimmyc13

· #46 · May 17, 2011

I noticed the OP went with 35W option for the Slim kit, but others are going with 55W. I see the light output is different for the two, but does anyone know if the 35W one is safer for the CT? I noticed the Phillips kit is one option only (35W).

hybrid

Discussion Starter · #47 · May 17, 2011

jimmyc13 said:
I noticed the OP went with 35W option for the Slim kit, but others are going with 55W. I see the light output is different for the two, but does anyone know if the 35W one is safer for the CT? I noticed the Phillips kit is one option only (35W).

I was hoping that there could be one thread comparing all the Aftermarket HID Kits that CT200h members are installing, as I would like to see the difference between the 35w and the 55w kits. I tried to link (in my first post) to the other members pictures and kit information. Hopefully, we can consolidate the information to provide future members with a good reference.

audi4t

· #48 · May 17, 2011

jimmyc13 said:
I noticed the OP went with 35W option for the Slim kit, but others are going with 55W. I see the light output is different for the two, but does anyone know if the 35W one is safer for the CT? I noticed the Phillips kit is one option only (35W).

Stock low beam halogen bulbs are 55 Watts thus the wiring is adequate to handle this amount of power.

A few years ago there was a significant cost difference between 35 w and 55 w HID systems, not now.

As far as the difference between the HID kits, it's just the ballasts.

The bulbs have no effect on the output wattage. The ballast drives the output. In the real world all HID bulbs (35w and 55w) are probably the same bulb nominally rated at 60 watts. It would not be cost effective and there would be too many combinations to manufacture both wattages / temp ratings and since the ballast controls the output it doesn't really matter.

HID headlamp bulbs do not run on low-voltage DC current, so they require a ballast with either an internal or external ignitor. The ballast controls the current to the bulb.

Here is a Wikipedia link that explains the operation:

Headlamp - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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jimmyc13

· #49 · Jun 5, 2011

On the fence...

So I'm on the fence regarding which kit to get. DDM Tuning's Slim HID or the Philips HID kit (they only come with 35W and 4300K or 6000K), I would go with 4300K to avoid the annoying blue hue.

I just ordered PIAA 2500k yellow fogs thru Amazon, which costs $65, free shipping. I'm just trying it hard to justify spending LESS $ for an HID kit, when the H11 bulb is used for both applications. I understand DDM's kit comes with a lifetime warranty, but I've also read dealing with them is a pain, should you need to replace anything, and I also want to avoid start-up and flickering issues.

Yes, the Philips kit is $180 + $20 for shipping and only comes with a 2-year warranty, but it just seems like a better product and knowing the Philips name here in the US kind of puts my mind at ease. I don't mind spending the extra dough on these, knowing my car will be costing me $34K, don't know that a $55 kit makes sense to me.

Can someone shed some light on this (no pun intended) or let me know their thoughts before I make the purchase?

Thanks!

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audi4t

· #50 · Jun 5, 2011

I installed the DDM 55watt kit earlier this week. So far so good. Very well made totally plug and play with H11 male connector for the connection to the OEM 12 v supply you disconnect from the low beam bulb.

I doubt the Phillips kit is better made than the DDM. No problems so far.

jimmyc13

· #51 · Jun 8, 2011

Damn, nobody else chimed in on this. Anyone else on here contemplating these or maybe even the 35W version? I just found these two (2) reviews on a Honda Accord forum, regarding the 55W slim kit, really doesn't help convince me to try out the Slim Kit! I suppose I could try it and if I don't like it, it's only $60 out the window, right?

Here are the 2 reviews:

i have had ddm in my housing for over a year, it was plug and play. after about 2 or 3 months of use it began to flicker. i installed a relay harness about 6 months after, but it still flickers, guess the damage has been done. but i also had the 55w version.

Had mine for about 6 months as well. Beside the passenger side not fully coming on, but usually solved by just turning off and on the headlights, it's been great. I've installed 4 kits and all of them love them. I would just go with the 35watt and a relay kit.

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dgstan

· #52 · Jun 8, 2011

My desire to do this has tempered somewhat. I was thinking of just buying the $30 kit off eBay just to see if it works and for how long. I was able to find negative reviews of just about every kit - from the cheapo eBay version to the high-end $200 ones.

I have a feeling that the hardware is all the same and is just packaged a little different. I'm not sure getting a more expensive version is worth it. But WTFDIK.

Sloppy2nds

· #53 · Jun 8, 2011 (Edited)

To add my .2 cents. Yes the CT's wiring can handle the 55W but the light output difference is minimal. When choosing 55W you are essentially reducing bulb life and introducing extra unnecessary heat in the housing. Which our housings were not designed for. Being that these cars are so new yellowing or discoloration in the headlight housings are not yet evident if this is going to become a problem. Lastly, when the ballasts ignite they do spike and use more wattage which may also cause problems. So I'd stick to the 35W im willing to bet most people will never even see the difference in light output.

Also to add to changing out the fog lights. Although making them match with the low beams by putting HIDs or those color coated PIAA bulbs looks cooler, you may want the extra visibility when youre actually in fog, rain, or other low light times. Ideally you want a more yellow color in the color band than white which will light the road up much better. So I'd just keep the stock halogens or go with some narva gold bulbs or something similar. I hope this post makes sense and helps most on here from having to make mistakes when choosing kits. Links below are good places to start and learn about automotive lighting. Im not affiliated with any of these sites other than a customer. Before you guys pick up the ebay specials just remember that you're putting this stuff on youre beloved $36K CT and not a ford fiesta.

HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum - The Buzz

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

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audi4t

· #54 · Jun 8, 2011

Correction - this stuff is on my wife's car !

It does make a difference

jimmyc13

· #55 · Jun 9, 2011

audi4t said:
Correction - this stuff is on my wife's car !

Ha!

jimmyc13

· #56 · Jun 9, 2011

Thanks Sloppy2nds!

jimmyc13

· #57 · Jun 9, 2011

Looks like I'll try out these HID Slim Kits by DDM Tuning. I just ordered the 35W kit with 5000k bulbs, as I don't want the slightest hint of blue in the lights, as they're so obnoxious on the road. I went with the 35W just to play it safe and not overheat/mess up the housings.

lexceetee

· #58 · Jun 9, 2011

I want in for the install!

audi4t

· #59 · Jun 9, 2011 (Edited)

jimmyc13 said:
Looks like I'll try out these HID Slim Kits by DDM Tuning. I just ordered the 35W kit with 5000k bulbs, as I don't want the slightest hint of blue in the lights, as they're so obnoxious on the road. I went with the 35W just to play it safe and not overheat/mess up the housings.

I believe DDM carry the 35 watt kit here in the US so delivery should be fast.
The 55 watt kit is shipped dIrectly from China and took 10 days to arrive.

It is the ballast that controls the wattage. I have read on several sites that the bulbs supplied are common to both wattage ballasts only the temp. changes based on what you specify

jimmyc13

· #60 · Jun 10, 2011

audi4t said:
I believe DDM carry the 35 watt kit here in the US so delivery should be fast.
The 55 watt kit is shipped dIrectly from China and took 10 days to arrive.

It is the ballast that controls the wattage. I have read on several sites that the bulbs supplied are common to both wattage ballasts only the temp. changes based on what you specify

Are you confirming the 35W will burn cooler than the 55W version?

Shipping costs took me kind of surprise (I think it was $15)!?

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