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Installing 50W HID xenon - need for load resistors?

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Old 05-26-2010, 02:20 AM
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Originally Posted by nomis_nehc
Hid generates more heat per watt compared to halogen.
Really? I thought it was vice-versa and that's why HID's were much more energy efficient because they generated LESS heat than halogen. Much like the incandescent light globes vs. compact fluorescent lamps.

Originally Posted by brabusw209amg
if u run 55 watts, i recommend running also relays.
Like this?
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=194886

Originally Posted by brabusw209amg
Bear in mind your fog lights will be A LOT brighter than the low beams.
What do you mean? My halogen fog lights will be a lot brigher than my (potentially) 50W HID xenon low beams?

Originally Posted by brabusw209amg
Running JUST resistor OR capacitor is dangerous and HOT. U need a special capacitor and resistor combo run in series with another. It's hard to explain.
Similar to my link above?

Originally Posted by bens1088
lol there is so much hate for the 55W.... i love it
Haha... complemented with a lot of advertising

I don't think my actual question has even been answered r.e. errors
Old 05-26-2010, 06:08 AM
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Nope, i am using mobile to type this, otherwise i would link you for references.
Old 05-26-2010, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by thefatalrisk
By too much load do you mean too much power? If it's a 50W ballast, it should use 50W of power (5W less than a 55W halogen globe). Please correct me if I'm wrong.
You're not wrong. OE wiring is more than adequate to run 50 or 55W.
You don't need resistors - unless you are doing it to get rid of error messages.
We've been playing with a new Canbus kit that is rated at 35W but actually runs at closer to 42W of total power, it plugs in so far on most E60s without issues and doesn't require any additional wiring harnesses. Kit runs about $115 + shipping.

Originally Posted by bens1088
lol there is so much hate for the 55W.... i love it
There is a lot of misinformation out there, if someone says it's bad, and 50 people repeat it, there is a consensus without any basis in facts (kind of like Global Warming).
Old 05-28-2010, 07:24 AM
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Originally Posted by umnitza
You don't need resistors - unless you are doing it to get rid of error messages.
So then my question is, why would you get errors if the 50W HIDs are supposedly using 50W of power (almost the same as 55W halogens)? How does the car know that HIDs are plugged in? Does the 5W difference make a difference?
Old 05-28-2010, 09:11 AM
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Because resistance is different for halogen bulbs and Xenon ballasts LCMs send pulses to check if everything is ok, if they don't get the correct resistance, they freak out.
Old 05-29-2010, 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by E92-Lighting
our MTEC hid kits require no load resistor or error cancelers, but i would recommend staying within 35W
I would recommend for you to read this thread ... https://5series.net/forums/topic/945...g/page__st__75
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