HID spotlights firing intermittently

[blackvx Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close blackvx]

Hi Guys

Got a strange issue with my lights that I have never seen before and hoping someone might be able to help.
I got a HID kit from Jaycar, the length of wire between the globes and ballast was not long enough so I extended it using some more wire, the wire I used is larger than the wire in the original kit so I thought it would be fine.
Now when I turn the highbeams on to get spotties sometimes the HID's do not fire up, approx 50% of time. When they don't fire I get a buzzing sound at the joint closest to the ballast where I extended the wires. I soldered the joints.
I have a relay to switch them on like any normal spotties and to narrow down lack of power as son googling suggested might be the case, I tried running power direct to the ballast from battery as a test, I got the same outcome. Both lights do the same thing.

So I was wondering if anyone has had a similar issue or if any of the knowledgeable folks out there might have any suggestions?

Cheers

[awwricecracker Member Find all posts View Profile Close awwricecracker]

you need to run the same wire that the ballasts use as they need that constant resistance.. you can actually buy ready made extensions here for example, the strands need to be very thin for that sort of voltage to flow as intended.

[blackvx Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close blackvx]

thanks cracker I'll give those a try

[switched Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close switched]

the voltages between the ballast and the bulbs are in the order of 12000V - 30000V or there abouts so you cannot use regular automotive wire as voltages will stray. Much the same as the HV (high volatge) leads on the petrol engines spark plug leads.
You can use standard 12V automotive cable on the input to the ballasts ensuring to suitably size it to support the 35/55/70W draw that the lights use.