DDM HID Kit - Harness Yes or No?

[marct335i]

1992 525i Smileys and adding DDM HID Kit 55w 6000k. I did a search, and all I came up with was this: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1578552
Being that the discussion appeared to be based on using freeforms for HID's, I'd like some other opinions on if the DDM Harness kit is necessary. If so, where do you suggest stealing power? All the way to the back seat?

Thanks guys!

[hkl0ve]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1409663

Its in the DIY section

[marct335i]

I know how to wire it. I'm not talking about a harness for plug n play or easy use... DDM has a kit that draws power directly from your battery and uses a thicker gauge wire that some cars have stock. I'm wondering if it is necessary. I don't mind spending the $15... I just don't want to wire up more than I have to.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/HID-Kit-Wiring-Harness

[jhughes]

With the full-sized DDM ballasts I've had zero issues- completely plug n' play WITHOUT the harness kit.

[Russellc]

I have owned 55w HID's from DDM for a couple of years wihtout a harness and works fine.

[jimoreno]

+1 on the 55W with no issues, not even the error!

[ShapeShifter]

I have the DDM 55 watt kit. I have no issues and and no codes without the harness. I would say you don't really need it.
I bought the harness but did not install it because it was getting light out error. I have since got the proper resistors to fix this and will be installing the harness for added security. The resistors are about $15.

[pennpen]

i have the 55w kit and i have the error :(

[bigwig023]

I have the DDM 55 watt kit. I have no issues and and no codes without the harness. I would say you don't really need it.
I bought the harness but did not install it because it was getting light out error. I have since got the proper resistors to fix this and will be installing the harness for added security. The resistors are about $15.

What type of resistors do you use?
Also any intel on how or where to install them?

[marct335i]

Thanks for the advice guys. All of the posts I read said to use the big ballast kit (raptor). It appears as though DDM no longer has that available so I am forced to go with the slim ballast. It looks like this just happened in the past week or so... I saw someone post a link to the big ballast kit in February and that link is now invalid.

I also searched for threads on wiring the "city lights" on my smileys but didn't find any straight up instructions. Sounds like guys are splicing into the side markers. The city light would then stay on when you had your lows on from my understanding. Any comments? I've also heard something about their being a light in the smile itself for the same daytime running light purpose, but I was unable to confirm... comments there too would be great.

[ShapeShifter]

What type of resistors do you use?
Also any intel on how or where to install them?

You need two of these, one for each light.
100W 5 ohm 5R Aluminium clad Resistor
http://cgi.ebay.com/100W-5-ohm-5R-Aluminium-clad-Resistor-R-100-Watt-x-1-/270703514206?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f072fd25e#ht_4168wt_906

They basically go between the + and - wires at the light connector.
I forget the post, but if you search, you should find out where to install them.
This gives the proper resistance to the CCM.



I have euro trim, so I just took the marker light and plugged it to the city light. The harness is just long enough.
Yes, the city light is on with the lights, but who cares. No one even knows what euro lights are or what the city light is. I have never had anyone notice them. Besides the city light is hardly noticeable with the 55w HIDs.

If you get the slim ballast, you might want to pick up the resistors...

[marct335i]

Here is a link to the resistor method

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1110573

I don't mind the city lights being on with the low beams... like you said, it's not very noticeable with hids. I don't care either way, I was wondering what way people were wiring them. Thanks everyone!

[bigwig023]

I thought about hooking them up to the side marker, but wouldn't they blink when turn signal is used? For some reason that doesn't sit well with me. I haven't put too much thought into it but I was gonna think of another way to wire them...

Thanks for the links!

[ShapeShifter]

55w HIDs on with city light on.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w124/ted8641/e34/PorschedudesTouring.jpg

City Lights/Park Lights
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/BMW%20Touring/ade0e065.jpg


Side marker lights form the bumper are not connected to the turn signal.

[marct335i]

I thought about hooking them up to the side marker, but wouldn't they blink when turn signal is used? For some reason that doesn't sit well with me. I haven't put too much thought into it but I was gonna think of another way to wire them...

Thanks for the links!

They shouldn't blink. The side markers should stay on constantly. I think what I'll end up doing is switching to euro bumper trim (which deletes side markers) and pull the wiring and bulb up to the city light.

Here is a link to a trim kit... don't know if there is anything better/cheaper:

http://www.abrahamsmotorsport.com/e28e34.html

[bigwig023]

right on, I was thinking of the side marker in the fender. I like this idea a lot with the new bumper trim but you're right $100 for that trim is expensive. I'm sure with a little more research we can find it for less....

[ShapeShifter]

I will say, the HIDs are the best upgrade for under $100. Especially if you live away from the city.

[bigwig023]

55w HIDs on with city light on.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w124/ted8641/e34/PorschedudesTouring.jpg

City Lights/Park Lights
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/BMW%20Touring/ade0e065.jpg


Side marker lights form the bumper are not connected to the turn signal.

What temp are the low beam HIDs?

[euro3er]

I have the 35W Raptor kit and no problems. 93 E36 here.

[ShapeShifter]

5k. Its a bad picture, they are more to the white side of the spectrum.

[bigwig023]

Good stuff, I'm interested in ~5k was thinking of 4.5k as well....

[K Fox]

Interesting... I just went to DDM's site, and the HID kit I bought is gone... Wierd, because I just got them not even 2 weeks ago. That said, I got the 55w kit in 4500k flavor, and I love them, though I was expecting the color to be almost the same color of halogens (I like that warm color), and they're just a slight bit blue-ish to me. Not a really big deal, but you can really see the blue when they're warming up. Once warm they get to a nice 'white' color. But I installed them without a harness as the DDM site mentions that their kits limit to a max draw of 6 amps. This means poor output till the bulbs warm up, but it will save our LKM's and negate the need for a harness all at the same time. Side note, I also haven't gotten any bulb errors either. :D That's my experience. Good luck!

Fox

[marct335i]

Called DDM today... they are out of the big ballast kits and will be for a while. So I ordered the slim ballast kit.

I'm getting euro trim too and will be using the front marker bulbs for the city lights... but what did you guys do with the rears? Just disconnect the bulb? No errors on dash?

[ShapeShifter]

On the rear marker lights, yes, just remove the bulb. It will not set an error because they do not go thru the CCM.
Be sure to wrap the socket to keep out moisture. The next owner will appreceiate that.

[bigwig023]

Called DDM today... they are out of the big ballast kits and will be for a while. So I ordered the slim ballast kit.

I'm getting euro trim too and will be using the front marker bulbs for the city lights... but what did you guys do with the rears? Just disconnect the bulb? No errors on dash?


I tried calling today too but after a few failed attempts and a 10 minute wait without speaking to anyone I decided to put it off till tomorrow....

Anyways with the slim kit, I've heard a few people getting faults as opposed to the regular sized ballasts with no resistor and no faults....

[ShapeShifter]

If you get the slim balast, just order some 100w 5ohm resistors.

[bigwig023]

the resistors will in turn be the same price as an error code eliminator... Are there any disadvantages or advantages to either? Besides the obvious of having to solder vs having an extra box to mount....

I'd rather buy the eliminator to be honest....won't have to wait for the resistors to come from China.