HID Install Help

[racerx909]

I recently purchased a DDM Tuning Plus HID kit. Everything powers up, but the beam pattern is terrible. I initially installed the bulbs like I would a halogen, twist until you feel it lock into place without putting much thought into "clocking" the bulb. This produced an ok beam pattern on the driver's side, but a distorted pattern on the passenger side.

I then did a little more research and read that the return wire should be on the bottom. To achieve this, I had to turn the bulbs quite a bit in the housing, much more than I would a halogen bulb. Now I have a distorted pattern on the driver's side with a decent pattern on the passenger side, but the hot spot is directed closer to the ditch than in front. The color also seems different, with the driver's side appearing to be warmer and having a "cloud" around the beam.

Any ideas? This is my first time messing with aftermarket HID and I like to try some other options before requesting a return.

Thank in advance.

 

[1500ram12]

Are they in projector headlights?


2018 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman

 

[racerx909]

Yes, sorry. In a 2015 Limited with factory projectors.

 

[1500ram12]

It's possible that one of the bulbs is bad. Try adjusting the driver's side until you get a good pattern and see how it's clocked. It's possible that because the pattern is off that it's projecting a different color through the projector. Sounds weird but can happen


2018 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman

 

[Maligator]

Maybe bad bulb? I have the DDM kit and it looks ok. I installed mine just like my factory bubls. This pic makes it look alot brighter than it is but they are on par if not brighter nthan the morimoto kit I had previously



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[racerx909]

I'll attach photos this evening, but mine certainly don't look like that. But mine are only 35w.

 

[Maligator]

I'll attach photos this evening, but mine certainly don't look like that. But mine are only 35w.

Mine are the 35w as well. The photo exaggerates the brightness but the beam pattern on mine looked just like my morimotos did. You may have a bad bulb, I honestly wasn't super impressed with the DDM kit. My plugs did not have the prongs seated correctly and kept pushing out. I had to put a dab of epoxy in there to keep em in place

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[JoshR104]

Wall photo of output? Most likely bulbs are fine just need to be seated properly. I would just pull the lights and slowly twist them until each has ideal output regardless of where the wire lines up.

 

[Brent L]

I put in the DDM Plus kit in my projectors and have been very happy. The beam pattern matched exactly with the halogens. The trouble is, I can’t remember if I had to index them or not. They are over 1 1/2 years old and no issues so far.


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[Cableman]

How do these bulbs clock anyway? I have yet to install mine after buying them like 6 months ago!

 

[1500ram12]

How do these bulbs clock anyway? I have yet to install mine after buying them like 6 months ago!

The way hid's are meant to be installed is the external wire (brown color usually) faces down


2018 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman

 

[JB1]

As stated verify how you have them clocked.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/hids-in-stock-projectors-helpfull-info-inside.103584/#post-1516643

I have the DDM plus 35W kit and I clocked mine to the bottom as others said to do

Here’s a few pics of my projectors

 

[racerx909]

Here's some photos of the disparity between the individual beam patterns. The driver's side almost appears to be a different color.

 

[1500ram12]

Here's some photos of the disparity between the individual beam patterns. The driver's side almost appears to be a different color.

View attachment 189755

View attachment 189756

View attachment 189757

Definitely something off with the driver's side. I'd ask ddm for a replacement. They may want you to verify whether it's the bulb or ballast. Swap the ballast to the passenger side and the passenger side to the driver. If nothing changes then it's the bulb but obviously if the passenger side becomes dim than it's the ballast


2018 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman

 

[joshuaeb09]

Still have a pile of DDM ballasts as backups for my Hylux setups, but I would suggest using better quality bulbs (I've never gotten a consistent set from DDM in the past 10 years or so I've used their stuff for projects). I've also noticed you'll occasionally get a set from them that isn't aligned well to the base which can muddy up the beam pattern in an otherwise acceptable halogen projector. The NHK's you can get from lightwerkz ain't bad nor are the Morimoto's (Still running those in the 9012 projectors in my Challenger).

https://www.lightwerkz.net/index.php/components/hid-bulbs/h-series.html

 

[racerx909]

Will those NHK bulbs connect to the DDM ballasts or do you need to cut and splice?

Edit: After doing more research, it looks like most HID systems use AMP connectors.

 

[purcell1]

I ordered the same kit a year ago. They were ****. Pattern was terrible and one kept going on and off randomly. I swapped to led bulbs and Havnt looked back.


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[hdoggie24]

I have the DDM 35w kit. Been good for me for over a year now. Maybe they are hit or miss. I have a DDM Tuning down the street so getting them fixed would be easy but no problems so far for me

 

[Jacob Maguire]

I also have a '15 Ram1500 Laramie and have upgraded to HID, LED fogs and LED reverse, cargo/3rd brake, interior map and dome. This guy's videos have been a huge help in a tutorial capacity. Hope it is insightful and helps your project!

 

[CaptOchs]

I ordered the same kit a year ago. They were ****. Pattern was terrible and one kept going on and off randomly. I swapped to led bulbs and Havnt looked back.


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Same results for my Charger. After messing with HID for a couple of years and dealing with horrible reliability I switched to LED. They have been super reliable since. I was lucky to get 9 months out of a ballast no matter who made it. The Chargers required CANBUS ballast in order to semi-eliminate the flicker. Not sure if RAMs have the same requirement.