[Xpress]

See that little hole in the bottom of the tape? Helped a buddy out today after he had some issues with his HID kit. All it would do is buzz on startup. Of course he's not the best when it comes to wiring stuff, and often uses masking tape and such to insulate his wires.

Anyways, that hole was on the outside of at least 10 layers of tape wrapped around his not so fantastic solder joints...

HID Don't:

Do NOT wrap your solder joints with masking tape. That is the easiest way to a fire or blowing up your ballast or bulbs. HID's use at least 25,000 volts to ignite the bulb on startup, and the voltage can easily arch through the tape.

HID do:

DO insulate your joints with at LEAST 2 layers of heat shrink tubing, one ontop of the other. It's the safest way for the DIY enthusiast that likes to stick HID's into something that didn't come with them (like his cheapo spotlights).

 

[Redjeeper]

sticky?

thankyouss

 

[RikRotorhead]

I'm sorry, but using masking tape for electrical connections is the definition of stupid to begin with.
They call it electrical tape for a reason, and masking tape for a reason.
That said, Gorilla tape works for both. And it holds even when wet.

 

[Xpress]

Well, I have used masking tape in low power applications before (less than 12v), as a temporary "test run" type fit. But for the most part, it shouldn't be used for electrical applications.

Do remember that this is for the DIY enthusiast. Some will argue that you should never mess with the wires between the bulbs and the ballasts.. I personally think that's a load of crap, there's a lot of things that people say you should never do (like wheel with a Dana35, for example) but rules are made to be broken.

 

[RikRotorhead]

A dana 35 is OK to wheel with if you don't go big on the tires.
Put a set of 33's or bigger and do some serious off roading and you will see what I mean.

It's not worth it to use sub standard tape on your rig. "Temporary testing" I guess would be OK, I wouldn't. Tape is cheap. Vehicles aren't.
Just my opinion. .

 

[Redjeeper]

Well, I have used masking tape in low power applications before (less than 12v), as a temporary "test run" type fit. But for the most part, it shouldn't be used for electrical applications.

Do remember that this is for the DIY enthusiast. Some will argue that you should never mess with the wires between the bulbs and the ballasts.. I personally think that's a load of crap, there's a lot of things that people say you should never do (like wheel with a Dana35, for example) but rules are made to be broken.

so are Dana35s

 

[RikRotorhead]

Well played......

 

[Xpress]

These HID kits are also cheap, replacement bulbs are $15 a pair and ballasts are $12.50 a pair (35w). So if they blow up or blow out, not a big dealio. I don't think they will light the whole vehicle on fire, especially if you use a relay or a fuse system for the lights- as soon as the current surges too high they will pop the fuses.

I do use blue masking tape in my Jeep though, but that's to bundle wires together to stuff under the floor mat

 

[RikRotorhead]

Yeah but not for bare connection protection.
So to do your spots you need a socket, bulb, and ballast right? What's the total cost to do each light with all three parts?

 

[Xpress]

Socket? What do you mean by socket?

Bulb and Ballasts can be purchased at this link:

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/Apexcone-Raptor-HID-Kit

Each kit includes 2 ballasts and 2 bulbs. You can get whatever wattage you want, but I'd recommend 4500-6000K for bulb color. That is typically the whitest and brightest of all of the HID bulbs. Yellow and blue bulbs can get annoying after a while.

 

[RikRotorhead]

Socket = what holds the bulb in place.

 

[Xpress]

Generally your lights do that... For example, KC's lights are generally H3 bulbs, and they use a springy metal clip to hold them in.

I'll get some pics soon.

 

[RikRotorhead]

Pics would help.

 

[Otahyoni]

I would also like to add:

DON'T use the DDM Tuning type retrofit kits ON-road. You will blind all the traffic coming at you. They are excellent for use OFF-road however.

 

[Xpress]

We have a general saying around the Illuminati community: Do a proper projector retrofit or stick with your halogens. A proper projector retrofit utilizes all of the HID light and focuses it into the "playing field" instead of into oncoming drivers eyes.