Question About H.I.D. Power Consumption

[AcBrand]

I did some searching on here to see if anyone else asked this question, but my friend said H.I.D.'s consume more power, therefore over time killin your battery and altenator. Is this true?

 

[CONEV8R]

Not exactly. HIDs draw 35W of power, the standard Halogen low beam lamp draws 55W.

The HID actually draws LESS power over time than the standard halogen.

However, at ignition, when the lights are turned on, they do require slightly more current than your standard halogen bulb to illuminate, but once they're running, it requires less power to keep them going.

Bottom line, regardless of whether you've got HIDs or halogens, having your headlights on, will NOT kill your alternator or battery, unless you leave them on with the car off. Your friend is mistaken.

 

[pepsilude]

igniting an hid bulb requires a lot of energy, but thats what the ballast is for. but like what conev8r said, your not gonna kill your alternator or battery. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't come standard on some cars if this were true.

 

[AcBrand]

Not exactly. HIDs draw 35W of power, the standard Halogen low beam lamp draws 55W.

The HID actually draws LESS power over time than the standard halogen.

However, at ignition, when the lights are turned on, they do require slightly more current than your standard halogen bulb to illuminate, but once they're running, it requires less power to keep them going.

Bottom line, regardless of whether you've got HIDs or halogens, having your headlights on, will NOT kill your alternator or battery, unless you leave them on with the car off. Your friend is mistaken.

Thanks for the info!

igniting an hid bulb requires a lot of energy, but thats what the ballast is for. but like what conev8r said, your not gonna kill your alternator or battery. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't come standard on some cars if this were true.

Yea I figured if it were true that new cars have some sort of protection against that, but since its not yea lol.

 

[Samurai_Blue]

when you turn on your car, wait till the car is on before doing your lights and turn off your lights before turn off your car, helps alot