Hola folks! I have two Xenon headlight bulbs for a mercedes. Do I need anything besides 12V and ground to run these (i.e. a ballast, voltage rectum-fryer, etc.) or anything. What if I used them in place of reverse lights, would heat be an issue in plastic housings?
I stumped the great collective mind of GRM!!!
What do I win?
Should work stock-for-stock. Just make sure they are the same wattage or they will melt the plastic housings.
Maybe your post just got pushed out of the latest topics section too quickly as a result of the frivolity. 
Do the bulbs have individual silicone wire leads with a weather pack-like connector? If so then they require ballasts to run them.
later, matt
MG Bryan wrote: Maybe your post just got pushed out of the latest topics section too quickly as a result of the frivolity.
Yes, posts like this have NO PLACE on an automotive forum!!
xFactor wrote: Do the bulbs have individual silicone wire leads with a weather pack-like connector? If so then they require ballasts to run them. later, matt
No, just a connector like a typical bulb. It looks like I'll be ok. I'm actually thinking about rigging them up as the reverse lights on our minivan. They will be a bit better than the match sticks Chrysler put back there.
mguar wrote:DrBoost wrote:Please do that and aim them slightly high with a seperate switch.. Next time you're tailgated at night fry his eyeballs.. (Just kidding, don't do that)xFactor wrote: Do the bulbs have individual silicone wire leads with a weather pack-like connector? If so then they require ballasts to run them. later, mattNo, just a connector like a typical bulb. It looks like I'll be ok. I'm actually thinking about rigging them up as the reverse lights on our minivan. They will be a bit better than the match sticks Chrysler put back there.
That made me laugh.
Are they OEM bulbs? There may be confusion as there are halogen bulbs marketed as "Xenon" based on the color and output.
Most OEM bulbs from HID/Xenon systems are d2r/d2s/d1s type where the ballast will plug into them kind of like an 1156 bulb (push and twist) as opposed to a 9006 style.
Aftermarket HID bulbs can be d2r/d2s/d1s or be from kits that have two wire coming from them to plug into a ballast.
Also, HID bulbs will have a metal wire coming out the top of the bulb and run down alongside the outside glass and into the base, most of it will be covered by ceramic sheath.
If they really are HID and you're trying to install them into an application that was not originally HID equipped (assuming that you are since you're talking taillights) you would need a ballast for each bulb (most will have the ignitor built in) and you can either plug the ballast and bulbs into your existing wiring (if the ballast is made for whatever bulb connection size was stock) or use a relay harness if you're wanting to be safe and not overload/fry your car's stock wiring.
Whether or not it will melt the housing or lense depends on how close the bulb or how much ventilation/room there is. 35w is pretty safe for most applications unless the bulb is right at the lense or the plastic is made of cheaptonium.
Of course, fitting the bulbs into taillights, you'll have to make sure the bulb style can clip in securely or GRM modify it.
Hope I didn't offend, just trying to clarify and identify what you have.
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