Broke the little bar (cathode?) on hid bulb
Thread Starter
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Ronin Scion
SL Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 72
From: McAllen, Texas
Broke the little bar (cathode?) on hid bulb
quick question that i already tried asking in the hid faq but no one answered.
i bought an hid kit. and while installing it broke the little bar that runs parallel to the bulb
can this be fixed or do i need to buy a new bulb?
and i heard someone call this bar the cathode is that correct?
thanks in advance
i bought an hid kit. and while installing it broke the little bar that runs parallel to the bulb
can this be fixed or do i need to buy a new bulb?
and i heard someone call this bar the cathode is that correct?
thanks in advance
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 290
From: Orlando, FL
How do I fix a broken return wire insulator?
HID bulb return wire is covered with a thin ceramic tube and is therefor brittle. HID bulbs are frigile, they cannot be handled as much as halogen bulbs. The most common reason for broken insulator is after using HID bulbs in a halogen housing. It may sound awkward, what is really the difference you may wonder. Fact is that halogen headlights have a much smaller diameter hole compared to an OEM headlight. An OEM headlight typically has an opening of about 25mm (1 inch). So if you buy HID equipment and insulator is broken about 30% of way from the base, well then seller has not been aware that bulb must be HANDLED WITH CARE when inserting/removing.
Life of bulb will be reduced if insulator broken. The intention of the insulator is to stop high voltage arcs during startup directly from inner wire to return wire. Such archs will eventually kill bulb. Rapairing it is probably not worth the effort. There is not really any material that will stop high voltage from arcing besides ceramic. If you are able to place special rinsed clay onto wire, then burn it a 1000C oven, it be great for wire but not HID bulb. Return wire could be cut, a new insulator could be attached (not available on the marked), then return wire could be welded back together. This would require a small scale welder - not very common tool to have.
Conclusion: Broken return wire equals defective bulb
HID bulb return wire is covered with a thin ceramic tube and is therefor brittle. HID bulbs are frigile, they cannot be handled as much as halogen bulbs. The most common reason for broken insulator is after using HID bulbs in a halogen housing. It may sound awkward, what is really the difference you may wonder. Fact is that halogen headlights have a much smaller diameter hole compared to an OEM headlight. An OEM headlight typically has an opening of about 25mm (1 inch). So if you buy HID equipment and insulator is broken about 30% of way from the base, well then seller has not been aware that bulb must be HANDLED WITH CARE when inserting/removing.
Life of bulb will be reduced if insulator broken. The intention of the insulator is to stop high voltage arcs during startup directly from inner wire to return wire. Such archs will eventually kill bulb. Rapairing it is probably not worth the effort. There is not really any material that will stop high voltage from arcing besides ceramic. If you are able to place special rinsed clay onto wire, then burn it a 1000C oven, it be great for wire but not HID bulb. Return wire could be cut, a new insulator could be attached (not available on the marked), then return wire could be welded back together. This would require a small scale welder - not very common tool to have.
Conclusion: Broken return wire equals defective bulb
Senior Member
Balliztik
SL Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,538
From: Washington
Originally Posted by J_Leon
How do I fix a broken return wire insulator?
HID bulb return wire is covered with a thin ceramic tube and is therefor brittle. HID bulbs are frigile, they cannot be handled as much as halogen bulbs. The most common reason for broken insulator is after using HID bulbs in a halogen housing. It may sound awkward, what is really the difference you may wonder. Fact is that halogen headlights have a much smaller diameter hole compared to an OEM headlight. An OEM headlight typically has an opening of about 25mm (1 inch). So if you buy HID equipment and insulator is broken about 30% of way from the base, well then seller has not been aware that bulb must be HANDLED WITH CARE when inserting/removing.
Life of bulb will be reduced if insulator broken. The intention of the insulator is to stop high voltage arcs during startup directly from inner wire to return wire. Such archs will eventually kill bulb. Rapairing it is probably not worth the effort. There is not really any material that will stop high voltage from arcing besides ceramic. If you are able to place special rinsed clay onto wire, then burn it a 1000C oven, it be great for wire but not HID bulb. Return wire could be cut, a new insulator could be attached (not available on the marked), then return wire could be welded back together. This would require a small scale welder - not very common tool to have.
Conclusion: Broken return wire equals defective bulb
HID bulb return wire is covered with a thin ceramic tube and is therefor brittle. HID bulbs are frigile, they cannot be handled as much as halogen bulbs. The most common reason for broken insulator is after using HID bulbs in a halogen housing. It may sound awkward, what is really the difference you may wonder. Fact is that halogen headlights have a much smaller diameter hole compared to an OEM headlight. An OEM headlight typically has an opening of about 25mm (1 inch). So if you buy HID equipment and insulator is broken about 30% of way from the base, well then seller has not been aware that bulb must be HANDLED WITH CARE when inserting/removing.
Life of bulb will be reduced if insulator broken. The intention of the insulator is to stop high voltage arcs during startup directly from inner wire to return wire. Such archs will eventually kill bulb. Rapairing it is probably not worth the effort. There is not really any material that will stop high voltage from arcing besides ceramic. If you are able to place special rinsed clay onto wire, then burn it a 1000C oven, it be great for wire but not HID bulb. Return wire could be cut, a new insulator could be attached (not available on the marked), then return wire could be welded back together. This would require a small scale welder - not very common tool to have.
Conclusion: Broken return wire equals defective bulb
Thread Starter
Member
Ronin Scion
SL Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 72
From: McAllen, Texas
lol i suppose that was a bit drawn out. but now that i heard it i appreciate knowing the reason behind it.
Now that gives me another question:
if this bulb is a 10k can i just buy a 10k bulb of the same size from anyone and get the same color or should i get it from the same guy?
only asking because im not sure i still have his email.
Now that gives me another question:
if this bulb is a 10k can i just buy a 10k bulb of the same size from anyone and get the same color or should i get it from the same guy?
only asking because im not sure i still have his email.
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