i'm planning on convert couple sets of my PIAA off-road lights to HID, they will be put on the Coleman safari rack, that means the ballast would be places outside. i don't know much of HID but i understand at the initial lit point, the bulbs need some high voltage current to start, so the wires between bulb and ballast much be as short as possible.

here are couple of my questions:

a.) does the ballast get hot when operating?
b.) what would be the best way to protect the ballast from the environment while keeping it properly cooled.

i'm not planning on doing it on the headlights because my lenses are out of adjustment and pointing a little bit too high. it's ok for other drivers now with regular bulbs, i'll be in trouble if i go with brighter bulbs.

thanks

 

Might try contacting the mfg. of the HID kit and ask them what they recommend for outdoor use.

 

The ballasts are weather resistant. They're all sealed nowadays, and have weatherproof connectors.

Doesn't mean you can immerse them, but you're not likely to do that if they're on your roof.

Just put some silicone grease on the connectors to keep moisture out of them then mount them anywhere convenient.