HID Reverse Light on my TDI

So I fried my LED reverse light from an unfortunate 'reverse polarity' whoops. Decided to toss an HID in for kicks. VERY BRIGHT! I Modified the bulb holder so the H11 4300k 35w HID bulb would sit correctly. Superglue holds the bulb into the holder while the siliconeRTV dries. :)

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• MKV
• Jetta
• TDI
• Reverse
• Backup
• Back
• Up
• Tail
• LED
• HID
• Ballast
• 4300k
• Bright
• Light
• Lite
• LEDs
• VW

[Nicoleise]

So, uhm...

First of all, this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. HIDs are beyond any shadow of doubt not at all suited for signal applications, nor for lights that will only be on for short periods. Your HIDs wont even be warm before you're done reversing.

But that's a matter of taste I presume. But I would like to know... Did you do anything to your stock wiring to accomodate this upgrade, or will you just wait for your car to catch fire?

[S00THappens]

So, umm...

The stock reverse light wiring is designed to power two 21watt 1156 incandescent bulbs (42 watts on the circuit). The Single HID ballast is 35 watts... see where this is going?

Even not warmed up, the HID is much brighter than an incandescent, and HID kits are quite cheap these days.. But hey, I'm glad you are concerned about the well being of my car.

It has been working great for almost a year now, thanks.

[Nicoleise]

I realize that fine, but 42W ~ 3,5Amps. HIDs draw upwards of 30Amps, most kits just 15 amps though at startup and warm-up (~1 minute). That's alot over capacity, which will cause wires to be heated, which means poorer conductivity=higher resistance=more heat.

The PVC insulation takes lasting damage at approx. 70deg.C. It's usually spec'ed to run at 30deg.C, but it takes surprisingly little to bring it up.

That's why I'm concerned about your wires, running under carpets, etc.

But hey.....

[S00THappens]

Thanks for the clarification... I didn't think about amps. Anyway, one of my fogs has quit working, so I'm going to switch the reverse light back to 5watt LED so I can use the ballast for the fog. I'll check for wiring damage inside the trunk lid.

[S00THappens]

Nada.. nothing out of the ordinary as far as wire appearance

[CalleChile]

how did u get ur licence plate lights so white n bright i been looking for those bulbs but cant seem to find i dont kno if they have them for my car i got a VW passat 99 where did u get them from?

[S00THappens]

they are 6ledwhp festoon bulbs from superbrighleds

[DKNYZERO]

haha, this is awesome, poor bastard thats gonna be behind you

[pmgelectronics]

NICE LOL i juss came up with that crazy idea yesterday and i thought i wud b the only crazy ass who would try/think 2 do it

[Nicoleise]

@Mrbikerman Sorry, I haven't seen your reply - when you leave out the @name, I don't get an email about it.

As I mentioned in my earlier comment, the nominal (running) consumption isn't the problem - it's the start-up current/power consumption. HID kits can consume as much as 45A, however usually around 10A when starting up.

When you see/hear about people, who install HID kits and then their headlights flicker, that's due to the wiring not being able to conduct the start-current.

[Nicoleise]

@poohead2000 Thanks, as a system engineer I didn't realize that.

If a circuit is shortcircuited, then a substancially high amperage will be carried, causing the fuse to rapidly overheat and burn out (almost immediately). However, when overloaded the amperage is only slightly larger than the nominel current, the fuse may not burn out for several hours. With wiring tucked away in carpets and isolation, I think you'll find that the temperature of the wiring can become critical.

[poohead2000]

@Nicoleise I think you'll find you'd be blowing a fuse if you are overloading the wires.

[sqhschief]

@S00THappens What's the color temperature of those license plate bulbs (Kelvin)?

[paintballgundown8]

on my car my headlights are a single row from stadium lights and my reverse light are HID work lights. I can see fine and i guess people arent used to seeing so good cause they all swerve off the road when i come close

[cmccane]

Can this damage the housings? (heat issues = melting plastic)? Let me know. I'm curious to doing something like this but my tail lights a friggin expensive and don't want to melt them and have to get another set.

[sr20boostjunkie]

That's right blind them ass holes in thear big trucks who get right behind u at a stop light with thear lights in your face

[hanrickjones]

everyone has there on liking but that was dumb

[Sauron767]

now anyone who "doesn't see" you back up can't say shit if you accidentally hit them, the reverse lights are right there in there face unless they get pissed off which no one should because you would be in a parking lot.

[MrXLaNcErx]

dude where would i get a set of those