Do you have to disconnect battery for HID bulb replacement

[Walter Sobchak]

I've been having issues with the ballast on my FFRR and have it sorted now but would rather not cause any electrical issues by disconnecting the battery again, the trouble is I've got one bulb which is 4300k and one at 6000k at the moment so want to make them both equal, if the car has been sitting for a while without the headlights being turned on should it be ok to replace the bulb without any issues?, or do I really need to have no power going to them, have heard conflicting things on this, some people saying it's fine others saying not.

[okie592]

I've replaced numerous xenon bulbs without disconnecting the battery, normally just unlock the car and change it like any normal bulb. If your being extra careful just unplug the headlight loom

[Rich_W]

Ideally, Yes. And UI would advise you to do so then open the door and turn on the lights even with the battery disconnected to "empty" the system of any residual charge. HID's are big voltage and you'd not want a shock.


However, just unplugging the lamp unit from the car and then being careful. No digging around with metal tools. Should be fine.

Be careful though. Don't force anything

[corozin]

Since the capacitor in a HID ballast typically stores 15,000 - 20,000 volts yes it is a good idea to disconnect before you start pulling the connectors with your fingers.

[AJB]

corozin said:

Since the capacitor in a HID ballast typically stores 15,000 - 20,000 volts yes it is a good idea to disconnect before you start pulling the connectors with your fingers.

Why would disconnecting the battery discharge any capacitors though?

Waiting ages since the light have last been switched on would help with that, but I can't really see why disconnecting the battery or not would make a lot of difference.

[Walter Sobchak]

Changed this morning after car had been parked for 12+ Hours without the Headlights being turned on, all was fine.