HID kit relay harness

[gaugeguru]

Is there anybody out there who has used a relay harness with their HID kit?

If my lights are turned on before the engine is started, and then the engine is started, the lights flicker as power switches from battery to alternator. The relay harness is supposed to allow the lights to run only off the battery while the headlight circuit is used to turn the relay on / off.

How does it work with stock HID? Do the lights flicker as you start the car with the lights already on?

The circuit seems pretty simple, but how do I get power off of positive terminal of the battery? Is there a clean way of doing it? Or do I have to run a wire under the hood from the battery to the headlight? Would it be possible to go off of the fuse box?

[Sammy Z]

I installed aftermarket HIDs for the headlights, I just used the plug-n-play wiring that came with the lights and it works fine. I don't think you need to add the relay. When you turn the car on in a dark location, the lights go on, then when you start the car, you'll see the slight flicker but it's not anything worth worrying about.

[Coma]

Yeah, mine flicker a little bit when the lights are on and the car is then started. I don't see how this is a problem, nor that there is a need for a relay.

[caddy1219]

I installed a plug and play KIT and mine flicker, I never used a relay. That is just the restrike of the lights. No need to worry

[bo3adsa]

I don’t notice a flicker when starting my car…
I only notice it when turning the light position between On and Auto …

[gaugeguru]

I already have a 5000k digital ballast HID kit and I have had one light die so far. The kit is covered under warranty and I'm going to get a free replacement.

I guess what I'm trying to find out is, is it bad for an HID kit to be on when the car is cranking / starting. You can see the flicker. I think this condition is called "hot re-strike". The purpose of the relay is to allow the kit to run off of the battery so when the car is cranking with the lights on, there will be no flicker / hot re-strike.

I noticed before my light died, my girlfriend had turned on the lights before starting the car (which I never do) and then I saw a strange flicker on one light, which eventually died on me.

Knowing what a hassle it is to change the lights, I think I should install a relay this time to avoid having to change lights a few months from now when there is snow all over the ground.

[dkozloski]

Originally Posted by gaugeguru

I already have a 5000k digital ballast HID kit and I have had one light die so far. The kit is covered under warranty and I'm going to get a free replacement.

I guess what I'm trying to find out is, is it bad for an HID kit to be on when the car is cranking / starting. You can see the flicker. I think this condition is called "hot re-strike". The purpose of the relay is to allow the kit to run off of the battery so when the car is cranking with the lights on, there will be no flicker / hot re-strike.

I noticed before my light died, my girlfriend had turned on the lights before starting the car (which I never do) and then I saw a strange flicker on one light, which eventually died on me.

Knowing what a hassle it is to change the lights, I think I should install a relay this time to avoid having to change lights a few months from now when there is snow all over the ground.

Why not try a new girl friend like Kevin Harvick suggests in the TV commercial.