I have the 55w DDM kit with relays, and fused power cable...

DDM customer support insists there is a battery positive terminal in the engine bay for me to connect the main ballast power to, but there isn't. At least I couldn't find anything. If my car was an earlier model I maybe could connect to the timing light plug, but I don't have that option.

I don't want any crap about whether or not I should be putting HIDs in my car. I have a 2001 with projector lenses, and I will still maintain proper cutoff.

Any suggestions? Thanks,
Marcello

 

Use power from alternator?

 

The main fuse box has to be fed power from something.

 

Ok, sounds like I'll need to extend the harness, as it's set up for a power source on the drivers side.

I was hoping there was something other than on pass side, thanks guys

 

The alternator has a stud on it you can use, just crimp an eyelet on your cable and attach it there.

 

Any reason to not use your factory wiring for the headlights and not use their fancy extra harnesses?

Yes, the 55W HIDs do pull a lot of current on startup, but it's not for very long. Your headlights have a fused harness already, why the need for the extra equipment?

 

I don't know how to answer that, I don't know much about electronics, but I crimped an eyelet, and connected to the alternator stud, hooked everything up, and the HID lights are working.

I've read that some people (not necessarily miatas with projector lenses) have melted headlight parts due to the heat of the 55w hid bulbs... but I've also read that the HID bulbs emit far less heat than their 55w halogen counterparts.

I'm slightly concerned, and I've contacted the guy I've been talking to at DDM about a spec sheet for the 55w 4500K bulb.

Any thoughts on the melting concern?

 

With HIDs, the bulbs themselves are not a particular wattage. The ballasts are what determine the watttage.

Well, I personally wouldn't use 55w, because the bulbs are all designed for 35w and the ballast is effectively overdriving them, reducing life. Also, they draw a bunch of current on startup, way more than 55w.

There are a couple different cases I have heard about the 55w ballasts making things melt.

1. They sometimes make small, unventilated plastic housings melt, such as fog light housings.

2. They draw more current than most cars stock headlight wiring is rated for. Some people experience melting electrical connectors and wires. No thanks

Instead of using their harness that's like $25 extra, I would have just bought their ultra HID kit and used it with the stock wiring if I were going to use 55w, their ultra ballasts draw less current on startup.

If your headlight housing starts melting from the heat, then we will then know that 55w HID is too much for the NB2 miata. Please report if you smell burning plastic.

 

^haha, that makes me feel good, at least I'll be doing the miata community a service.

Oh, and I did get the ultra, I thought that was their base kit, because they have that canbus thingy kit which is more. I hadn't seen the cheap kit until I went and checked the website... I guess that's good, less current draw.

I'll get the ultra 35w kit as a back up, or to run comparisons.