Kragen HID Questions

Hey guys,
I recently got 3 Kragen HID 7" Lights 35w. I noticed that on 2 of them the reflector housing is vertical and on one its horizontal. I did a test run on all 3 to make sure they worked and they work fine, however, the horizontal one has a different pattern. Does anyone know how to switch it over to be vertical? which screws to remove?
Also, I used a toggle switch I had laying around and noticed that it got hot REAL fast. What is a good switch to use with these 3 lights? They will all be turned on at once.
Thanks in advance!!

Here's a photo i used from this site I modified just for reference to show how the reflectors are different.

 

use a switch that is rated for high amps, like something around 15-20 or more. you can get these at a auto parts store or online. as for the light, i would just take it apart and see what you can move around

 

It's super easy. Remove all the bolts on the sides pop off the cover and twist the reflector bowl around.

 

I would really like to use one of the switches that fit in the factory slots but I'm now concerned with the heat. I might have to take it apart and find out but hopefully someone on here has done it too.

 

Sweet, do I need to remove those up front? They look like they just hold the rings in place.

 

This will solve your switch problem:

http://www.otrattw.com/

They fit well with minimal trimming - check my build for pics.

 

You should be running a relay with that many lights on one circuit. Do that and your hot switch problems will be taken care of.

 

No worries. Good call on the inline fuse. I forgot that part.

 

I do love how everyone who has responded to this thread has a F%#@ ton of lights on their trucks. LOL

 

Lighting mods are the best!

Turn night to day with the flick of about 3 switches

 

^this

also I will continue to support the above stated notions of "add a relay" Unless the amp draw is real low, you should always run a relay, having the switch control that much power is a recipe for fail.

 

You must use a relay unless you want your truck to burn down. Make sure you're running at least 14g wire, preferably 12g. Like mentioned previously, remove the screws and that will give you access to the interior of the light and you'll be able to turn the housing.

 

for lights!

 

X4 +

While HID is low watt, high output, by adding a third, you exceed the normal safe limit running through the switch 2 lights without a relay is fine (70 watts).

A relay keeps the high wattage just between the battery and the lamps and the switch in the cab is low wattage powered to click the relay on or off.

I had 2 Kragens like yours (with the reflector correct, you got one assembled 90º out of sinc) and used the supplied wire harness with no relay.

I then relpaced the Kragens, after they cracked in Baja with two HELLA 4000 metal lamps, with 100 watt halogen bulbs, using the Hella wire kit with a relay (for 200 watts total lamp draw).

The plastic Kragens were repaired with fiberglass and we modified the light bar for all 4 lamps, on two switches. One switch for the Hellas on a relay and one for the Kragen HIDs without a relay. Yes, both pairs can be switched on with no problem at all.

Since then, I had converted the 100 watt Hellas to 35 watt HID, 5000ºK.


Hella pencil (spot) beams are the center pair and Kragen HID (driving beams) are the outside pair. First photo is the Hellas with 100 watt halogen bulbs. The second photo is with 35 watt HID bulbs:








On my last trip to Baja, one of the repaired Kragens broke again. The first time to Baja with them, there was some vibration in the light bar which may have contributed to the plastic housing cracking. However, we modified the attachment point and it is solid with the truck frame. There just is nothing better than metal housing, however.

 

As they said... Inline fuse and relay!

 

Awesome...Thanks for the responses. Just picked up an inline fuse and relay today.

 

:thumbup: