HID xenon noise/interference???

[dannyfiveforty]

I have installed HID mainbeam headlights to my car, they work great; with instant, bright light.

However, if I have my audio system on (either radio or cd) and I pull the stalk towards me to either flash or pemamently swith main beams on the audio volume dips. It will only do it for a split second though then return back to normal volume, but, if I sit flashing the lights it will dip volume for everytime I pull the stalk...

Is this the effect of poor insulated ballasts? Cables acting as an antenna?

I have already tried installing a new harnes directly from the battery as I first thought they were drawing too much current - but it made no difference.

Thanks for you help

Dan

[jdmccright]

Sounds to me like you're running up against a shortage in current needed to ignite the high beams. The current draw needed by the ballasts is too much so the radio suffers a temporary "brownout" until the HIDs are lit.

Question: does this happen only when you are stopped and at idle or also while driving down the road? I ask because the alternator output at idle is usually much lower than at speed.

Depending on your car/truck, you can do one or two things. 1) Install a higher amperage alternator, or 2) install an inline capacitor to help ignite the headlights and reduce the draw from the car's electrical system. Ask the manufacturer of the HID kit about the availability of this for you application. I'm curious as well since I'm considering a kit for a few of my vehicles.

[macwan]

I think you need to check the power of your car first,because the hid kit need high current to start,and you when you turn on the radio or CD,it will make the current no enough to be inputed through the ballast to the xenon bulb,so it will make the bulb flicker