55w HID in 2003 Projector lens
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
2003 S430, 2014 E350
55w HID in 2003 Projector lens
Hello everyone,
I just got the DDMTUNING Ultra HID kit. 55w. Installed and works great but about 5 minutes later I can smell a slight burning smell. Smells like plastic abs burning. I ran it for 2 hours straight and the smell is always there, of course i stood right next to it. Nothing looks melted. It seems like the smell is coming from the projector lens assembly. Drove it around the block and it was quite bright, cutoff is exactly where I want it. ( surprising for a halogen projector, nothing over the cut off)
Does 55watt HIDs produce more heat than a 55watt halogen?
Ran their 35watt for 8 months until one ballast gave out. Decided to upgrade to the 55watt ultra hid. Never had the smell with the 35watt.
I just got the DDMTUNING Ultra HID kit. 55w. Installed and works great but about 5 minutes later I can smell a slight burning smell. Smells like plastic abs burning. I ran it for 2 hours straight and the smell is always there, of course i stood right next to it. Nothing looks melted. It seems like the smell is coming from the projector lens assembly. Drove it around the block and it was quite bright, cutoff is exactly where I want it. ( surprising for a halogen projector, nothing over the cut off)
Does 55watt HIDs produce more heat than a 55watt halogen?
Ran their 35watt for 8 months until one ballast gave out. Decided to upgrade to the 55watt ultra hid. Never had the smell with the 35watt.
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Yes, 55w generate more heat and have a shorter lifespan, but are brighter. That's the trade-off. The increase in brightness is slight though in comparison to more reliable and cooler 35w which is why we always recommend 35w kits.
In general, you should be getting near twice the life on a 35w kit vs a 55w kit.
In general, you should be getting near twice the life on a 35w kit vs a 55w kit.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 448
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From: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
2003 S430, 2014 E350
But what do you think is causing the smell? A 55 watt HID should run at 55 watts after warmup. And since its magnitudes brighter than a halogen 55 watt. There should be less heat since more power is being converted to light.
I do have lifetime warranty on these HIDs so lifespan is not that much of an issue. I can change out the bulb every year.
I do have lifetime warranty on these HIDs so lifespan is not that much of an issue. I can change out the bulb every year.
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From: California
MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
Might want to check the wires on the kit and any plastic to see if you're melting anything. Could be the connector or harness if you don't see any obvious burning on the headlight lens.
Personal commentary: Regarding lifetime warranty, I know DDM offers that, but I've also heard nightmares others have had in claiming it. You're local in california so might be convenient for you to do a local pick up though, but 8 months is really short span for HIDs. Could just be an isolated defect though. And yeah, in theory you can change out the bulb every year, but is that a hassle you want to go through? Especially if it catches you at an inopportune time while driving at night?
Personal commentary: Regarding lifetime warranty, I know DDM offers that, but I've also heard nightmares others have had in claiming it. You're local in california so might be convenient for you to do a local pick up though, but 8 months is really short span for HIDs. Could just be an isolated defect though. And yeah, in theory you can change out the bulb every year, but is that a hassle you want to go through? Especially if it catches you at an inopportune time while driving at night?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 448
Likes: 3
From: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
2003 S430, 2014 E350
Might want to check the wires on the kit and any plastic to see if you're melting anything. Could be the connector or harness if you don't see any obvious burning on the headlight lens.
Personal commentary: Regarding lifetime warranty, I know DDM offers that, but I've also heard nightmares others have had in claiming it. You're local in california so might be convenient for you to do a local pick up though, but 8 months is really short span for HIDs. Could just be an isolated defect though. And yeah, in theory you can change out the bulb every year, but is that a hassle you want to go through? Especially if it catches you at an inopportune time while driving at night?
Personal commentary: Regarding lifetime warranty, I know DDM offers that, but I've also heard nightmares others have had in claiming it. You're local in california so might be convenient for you to do a local pick up though, but 8 months is really short span for HIDs. Could just be an isolated defect though. And yeah, in theory you can change out the bulb every year, but is that a hassle you want to go through? Especially if it catches you at an inopportune time while driving at night?
I agree 8 month is really short. But i drive with hids on all the time. I use it like my drls. I drive 3-4 hours every weekdays. Not much on the weekend unless it's a road trip. Hopefully these do last longer. They do weight double the slim one. It also doesn't make a buzzing noise anymore. I would be quite disappointed if they go out in only a year.
