Accessories and ballasts for xenon – installation and replacement

The xenon ballast is an electronic converter essential to the operation of any HID bulb. It transforms the vehicle’s 12V current into a high-voltage pulse (up to 25,000 volts), necessary to initiate the electric arc in xenon gas. Once the bulb is lit, the ballast regulates the current to around 35W in order to maintain stable and constant lighting. Without a functional ballast, the xenon bulb can neither light up nor stay lit. AGM Vision offers 35W to 100W ballasts suited to each configuration.

An OEM ballast (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is identical to the one factory-fitted by the car manufacturer (Hella, Valeo, Bosch, Denso). It guarantees perfect compatibility with the vehicle’s electronics and proven reliability. An aftermarket ballast is made by a third-party supplier, often in a slim version (compact and thin), at a more affordable price. AGM Vision aftermarket ballasts are tested to ensure stable regulation and a lifespan of more than 5000 hours. The choice depends on the budget and the required level of compatibility.

An anti-error module (also called a Can-Bus canceller) is an electronic box that suppresses the “bulb out” error messages on the dashboard. Modern vehicles detect the consumption of each bulb: a 35W xenon bulb consumes less than a 55W halogen, which triggers a false alert. The module simulates the expected electrical load. It is essential on most German vehicles (BMW, Audi, VW, Mercedes) and on some recent French models. At AGM Vision, the modules are compatible with the D and H series.

The 35W ballast is the standard original power, road-approved, providing lighting from 2800 to 3200 lumens, with an optimal bulb lifespan. The 55W ballast increases the luminous flux by about 40 %, but reduces the bulb lifespan and is not road-approved. The 100W ballast is reserved for competition and off-road, with extremely powerful lighting. For legal daily use, 35W is recommended. AGM Vision offers all three power levels with comparative technical data sheets.

The installation of a xenon ballast requires securing the unit in the engine compartment, near the headlight, sheltered from moisture and excessive heat. Connect the power cable to the original connector of the halogen bulb (for a conversion) or to the OEM connector (for a replacement). Then connect the xenon bulb to the ballast via the high-voltage cable. A relay and a fuse are recommended to protect the circuit. AGM Vision slim ballasts measure less than 20 mm thick and are secured with screws or with double-sided adhesive.

Yes, a faulty ballast can seriously damage a xenon bulb. A ballast at the end of its life delivers an unstable voltage, which causes micro shut-offs and repeated re-ignitions, each cycle prematurely wearing out the gas and the bulb’s electrodes. Symptoms of a faulty ballast include: a bulb that flickers, takes a long time to turn on, changes color, or turns off after a few minutes. Replacing a worn ballast before installing a new bulb avoids wasting the bulb. AGM Vision ballasts are guaranteed and individually tested.