HID question...

[viva_brasil]

Don't know if this is better suited in the bike maintenance section, but this isn't really a maintenance issue..

I'm wondering if it's ok to disconnect the HID bulb from the ballast as a means of turning it off? I'm asking for the track day that's coming up...

Probably the "best" way to turn them off is to disconnect the ballast from the power source, but it's much easier for me to leave the ballast connected to the power source and just unplug the bulb to ballast connection. Is this safe for the ballast?

ballast is a funny word.

[Jayspeed]

Your question can only be answered by the manufacturer or someone that frequently deals with your lighting set up. From an electrician's points of view, a ballast is a transformer that changes the voltage to accomodate power to a given device. Removing the bulb will diminish the power consumpsion but power still will be consumed by the ballast. Since the bulb is removed, I'd think there is no longer a demand for the ballast and it should just be ready for when you replace the bulb.

[duey]

yeah just tape up the ends coming from the ballast. If they're too close and exposed they can cause an arc.

[viva_brasil]

I'd disconnect it at the ballast itself- i.e. the ballast has a power line and then it has an output to hook up to the bulb. One ballast is located under/in front of the tank, and the other is in front of the fairing stay. I'd disconnect the output/bulb cable from the ballast itself.

I'm not too knowledgeable on electro-mechanics, but does the bulb hooked up to the ballast act as resistance? I just don't want to blow the ballast by having it hooked to the power and nothing hooked up to the output.

Thanks for the help.

[BCT748]

If you're that worried about it why not just pull the fuse?

[viva_brasil]

im just trying to figure out if it's ok to do what is simplest to do. And it's a dual HID kit so it probably doesn't run on just the OEM wiring and OEM fuse (it had the kit installed when I bought it). So it's simpler for me to just unplug what I can access the easiest (ballasts) than to decipher this kit and find fuses/power source, etc.

[schleppy]

My guess would be unplug the bulb from the ballasts. I doubt that would do any harm.

[BCT748]

im just trying to figure out if it's ok to do what is simplest to do. And it's a dual HID kit so it probably doesn't run on just the OEM wiring and OEM fuse (it had the kit installed when I bought it). So it's simpler for me to just unplug what I can access the easiest (ballasts) than to decipher this kit and find fuses/power source, etc.

Pull the fuse for the headlights and see what happens, worst case nothing. If they tagged directly off of the battery the fuse should be very close to the battery. I'd rather pull a fuse and replace it after the track than have to deal with hanging wires and taping them up.

[viva_brasil]

Pull the fuse for the headlights and see what happens, worst case nothing. If they tagged directly off of the battery the fuse should be very close to the battery. I'd rather pull a fuse and replace it after the track than have to deal with hanging wires and taping them up.

good point, i'll look for the headlight fuse and see what happens.

And for future reference if someone searches Yamaha R6 fuse, this is a good page to look for reference:

R6 Fuse Reference with Pics

thanks again!

[kbroderick]

If it was me, I'd want to figure out how the wiring was done before hitting the track anyhow; I've seen home-added wiring before that wasn't fused at all (which could be rather obnoxious if it then decides to short). It may be done right, but it's a good idea to check.

[ZX-12R]

From an electrician's points of view, a ballast is a transformer that changes the voltage to accomodate power to a given device. Removing the bulb will diminish the power consumpsion but power still will be consumed by the ballast. Since the bulb is removed, I'd think there is no longer a demand for the ballast and it should just be ready for when you replace the bulb.

HID ballasts also have a voltage multiplier stage used to ignight the arc in the bulb. It's usually a fairly high impedance circuit so once the arc is struck the lower impedance transformer carries all the current to sustain it. In a quality ballast, there will be a crowbar circuit in the multiplier stage to prevent over-voltages in case of a missing or faulty bulb. On cheap ones, the multiplier can run unchecked causing internal components to fail from being run above their maximum rated voltage.

I wouldn't take the chance. Cut the power to the ballast!

My guess would be unplug the bulb from the ballasts. I doubt that would do any harm.

Guesses can get you in trouble if you don't understand what you are working with.

[RacerXnh10]

+1 for ZX-12R.

Disconnect the ballast.

[viva_brasil]

I took the fuse out and both HIDs were off. Fuckin awesome.

That's the same thing as removing the power source (disconnecting the ballast) right? i.e. without the fuse, power doesn't flow into the ballast?

[ZX-12R]

I took the fuse out and both HIDs were off. Fuckin awesome.

That's the same thing as removing the power source (disconnecting the ballast) right? i.e. without the fuse, power doesn't flow into the ballast?

Yes. Removing the fuse is the same as cutting the power lead going to the ballast.