Halogen to xenon retrofit: Is it safe to have the resistor inside the assembly?

BimmerAl · 03-06-2012, 01:43 AM

New to E90POST. Thanks to all the members who contributed on halogen to xenon retrofit. I read all the threads on this and successfully retrofitted the halogens on my e90 LCI to AHL Bi-Xenons. I was able to do the re-wiring inside the assembly, except I'm not sure if I should leave the error cancelling resistor (25W25ohm) inside the assembly, or if I should mount it outside of the assembly for fear of causing heat damage. Not sure how hot the resistor will get. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

taranonline · 03-06-2012, 09:37 AM

Pics please. Im about to do the same.

BimmerAl · 03-07-2012, 11:18 PM

taranonline,

Is there anything in particular you would like to know? Unfortunately, I did not take pictures during my project. My particular project was retroffiting an 328i e90 LCI AHL Bi-Xenon headlamp assembly to replace the stock halogens. I located OEM ballasts to avoid drilling holes into the assemblies. I believe that although the lights won't turn with the steering, the auto level would work after attaching the modules to the bottom of the assemblies. Don't take my word for that yet, though.

I could possibly take some pics of the finished project during my days off and identify which wires to connect. I made all the connections using quick splices with matching female quick disconnects and 18 gauge wire. I also used LUX H8 angel eye bulbs. The goal was to do all the wiring inside the assemblies to get a "clean" look.

But no one has gotten back to me on whether or not I can keep the load resistors inside the assemblies without causing heat damage to them during normal operation. I know I can drill holes through the turn signals and mount the resistors to the fins, but I would be defeating the purpose of not having to drill holes in the first place. My guess is that the 25W25ohm resistors may get as hot as a 25W bulb on a 12V DC circuit, but I have no idea how hot that would be.

If they do heat up, I am thinking that I could place them inside the assemblies in the area over the hatch covering the DRLs. I figure if the DRLs are located here, this is probably the best place to put anything that generates heat. I would still appreciate any help from anyone on the load resistor issue. Thanks.

rayguy24 · 03-08-2012, 06:31 PM

I know this doesnt answer your question, but why not just code out the error?

BimmerAl · 03-09-2012, 12:22 AM

Probably because I don't know how to. How do you do that?

03-06-2012, 01:43 AM	#1
BimmerAl New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 328i TiAg E90 LCI Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Halogen to xenon retrofit: Is it safe to have the resistor inside the assembly? New to E90POST. Thanks to all the members who contributed on halogen to xenon retrofit. I read all the threads on this and successfully retrofitted the halogens on my e90 LCI to AHL Bi-Xenons. I was able to do the re-wiring inside the assembly, except I'm not sure if I should leave the error cancelling resistor (25W25ohm) inside the assembly, or if I should mount it outside of the assembly for fear of causing heat damage. Not sure how hot the resistor will get. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!
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03-06-2012, 09:37 AM	#2
taranonline Banned 28 Rep 494 Posts Drives: Man Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Usa iTrader: (0)	Pics please. Im about to do the same.
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03-07-2012, 11:18 PM	#3
BimmerAl New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 328i TiAg E90 LCI Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	taranonline, Is there anything in particular you would like to know? Unfortunately, I did not take pictures during my project. My particular project was retroffiting an 328i e90 LCI AHL Bi-Xenon headlamp assembly to replace the stock halogens. I located OEM ballasts to avoid drilling holes into the assemblies. I believe that although the lights won't turn with the steering, the auto level would work after attaching the modules to the bottom of the assemblies. Don't take my word for that yet, though. I could possibly take some pics of the finished project during my days off and identify which wires to connect. I made all the connections using quick splices with matching female quick disconnects and 18 gauge wire. I also used LUX H8 angel eye bulbs. The goal was to do all the wiring inside the assemblies to get a "clean" look. But no one has gotten back to me on whether or not I can keep the load resistors inside the assemblies without causing heat damage to them during normal operation. I know I can drill holes through the turn signals and mount the resistors to the fins, but I would be defeating the purpose of not having to drill holes in the first place. My guess is that the 25W25ohm resistors may get as hot as a 25W bulb on a 12V DC circuit, but I have no idea how hot that would be. If they do heat up, I am thinking that I could place them inside the assemblies in the area over the hatch covering the DRLs. I figure if the DRLs are located here, this is probably the best place to put anything that generates heat. I would still appreciate any help from anyone on the load resistor issue. Thanks.
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03-08-2012, 06:31 PM	#4
rayguy24 the mod bug is crawling in my brain 47 Rep 576 Posts Drives: e90 tiag aka "luna" Join Date: May 2010 Location: SoCAL iTrader: (15)	I know this doesnt answer your question, but why not just code out the error?
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03-09-2012, 12:22 AM	#5
BimmerAl New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 328i TiAg E90 LCI Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Probably because I don't know how to. How do you do that?
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