This evening around 8 PM I was driving my daughter and I noticed from the reflection from the bumper of the car in front of me that my right HID Headlamp was not functioning. I decided not to stop and just check the light when I got home which was about 10 minutes away. When I got home, the right lamp was still not functioning so I opened the trunk and looked at the right ballast as it was making a very loud buzzing sound so I shut off the lights and re-examined the right ballast and it was very hot and not touchable - infact, it had melted a little piece of my trunk cover on the lower left side of the ballast corner which had been touching the trunk cover. I touched the left side working ballast and it was just a little warm - the way it usually was.

As a test, I took the non-functioning HID bulb from the right side and plugged it into the Left working side and it ignited without any problems so it was not the bulb so it is definitely the Ballast which was extremely hot and making a loud buzzing sound. I also took the working bulb from the left side and tried plugging it into the non working right side and it did not ignite.

My set was purchased in the first Vertex Group buy and installed March 25, 2006 at 36,000 miles and currently I have 40,000 miles.

I will be phoning Charles tommorrow to get a replacement Ballast but and I am very concerned about the potential fire hazard in this set up as it did melt my trunk liner when it shorted. I would recommend anyone that has a burnt out light to shut off their lights immediately to avoid a potential fire hazard and just limp home with the fog lights. Perhaps need to insulate the trunk liner touching the balast boxes just in case this happens again.

Scott

 

Thanks Scott for the heads up! When you talk to Charles you should ask him if they had any reports of problems (he sounds pretty honest so hopefully he will be open). It sounds like the ballast failed in such as way as to cause an internal short and thus generate heat...it could not have been pulling a whole lot of current since it would have blown the fuse for the lights.

Keep us posted!

Cheers,

Mike

 

Here is a pic of the buzzing and hot ballast that melted a part of my trunk liner - bottom left corner is melted plastic grey residue.


http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/118_1835resize.jpg

 

Hey Mike - what are you doing at this wee hour of the morning? BTW how is your Targa running now? Last Saturday was a blast - I only wished I could have stayed longer in 993 Heaven.

I will keep everyone posted on this issue.

Have a great Morning

Scott

 

I have almost the same issue with my 6000K right headlight. I am awaiting a replacement from Vertex as well. I installed mine the 1st week of Feb. No melting or buzzing, but it goes off after about 20 minutes, then if I cycle the on/off switch it comes back on for another 10 minutes or so before cutting out.

Thought I was the only one with this issue. Interesting!

 

I spoke with Charles today. He said they have seen about a 4-5% failiure rate on the ballasts, but had not heard of any other heat or melting issues. As always Charles customer service was Excellent!

 

I couldn't get a hold of Charles but talked to Sid and he said they would send out replacement ballasts right away so the service does seem excellent but I am still worried about any future mishaps on this ballast. Mine is just dead - no amount of cycling will bring it back. Hmmm 4-5% returns sales speak means... I hope not.

 

I have mine mounted a bit different. Here's a pic. It allows for airflow all around the ballasts. I have had no issues with excessive heat or melting, although I have probably not run the headlights for more than 1 hour at a time. We'll see what happens when the days become shorter.

 

Brian,
Did you drill into the wheel well/fender, or use existing?

FWIW, I just stuffed mine into the top of the fender behind the headlight.

 

No Drilling. I just poked a hole for the wires in the rubber gromett that was already there

 

I too have had several problems with the Vertex kit. I have had them installed since 4/06 and have had 1 ballast replaced and I now think that I need both of the ballasts replaced. One light never works and the other goes on and off with bumps. It sounds like a short but I haven't had any issues with the "regular" bulbs with the stock wiring. (in currently) I've had HIDs on other cars and never had any issues. I am happy to see that not too many other users have had issues with this kit but I am very unimpressed with reliability. I'll call Vertex on Monday to see what they will do to resolve the issue. Maybe I am fortunate to get some of those 5% of problem units...

Cade