Hey guys, new here and had a question about ballast for my headlight. Had one of my headlights on my 2008 RDX go out last week. Took it in today (Dealership - I know not the best idea) and was told it was going to be about $550.00 (~$1100.00 for both) to replace the right ballast and bulb including labor. I was stunned when I heard this. I figured it would be a couple hundred bucks to do both sides. Obviously did not have them change the ballast/bulb.

I was able to find some after-market conversion kits online for way less $$. One in particular seems like a decent option but you have to pick between 5 different bulb options and 4 different ballast options. I was able to figure out what bulb option I need but need help/recommendations for what ballast option I should go with.

Ballast Options:
-Standard Series (35 watt/ 3400 Lumens/ Stainless Steel)
-Standard Series Canbus (35 watt/ 3600 Lumens/ Heavy duty stainless steel)
-Power Series (55 watt/ 4000 Lumens/ Stainless steel)
-Power Series Canbus (55 watt/ 4300 Lumens/ Heavy duty stainless steel)

If anyone has any knowledge on ballast and could give suggestions on which one of these I should get, it would greatly appreciated. (The price is constant regardless which options you choose)

Here is the website I found this conversion kit on:
D2S Bi-Xenon HID Headlight Conversion Kit

Also, if anyone has other suggestions or websites to get reasonably priced bulb/ballast that would be great.

Sorry for such a long post, but I was scouring the web for info on ballast for RDX's and couldn't find much.

Thanks!!

 

Moderator Note: Thread moved to model-specific forum for better response.

 

The OEM bulbs are 35W D2S. I would get the 5000K color temp for the most light. The standard ballast are the 35W ones and I don't think you need the CANBUS option.
If you get into the higher wattage bulbs, you will start needing all those other things like the heavy duty ballast, warning cancellers, capacitors, & heavy duty relay harness
And, yes, the after market kits are the way to go as opposed to getting OEM replacements from Acura. You get both sides all new everything for the a fraction of the price of one OEM ballast.

You may have to remove the front bumper cover or parts of the grill to mount the new ballast. You could ask the vender if you need the CANBUS option, or maybe someone else will chime in on that.

 

www.theretrofitsource.com

 

Whatever brand of aftermarket HID you decide to go with just make sure the replacement HIDs are plug n play so you don't have to hack up the oem wiring.

You might want to check out "Kensun HID".
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+2 on the retrofitsource. Don't do kensun in the headlights. They look horrible. Trust me I tried 2 sets and I also have them in my fogs which I have aimed more downwards so it doesn't affect oncoming traffic. I have the ACME speedy start ballast and the osram d2s CBI. Altogether came up to $170. They work fine and power up just as fast as oem. The only other recommendation I would make is look on ebay for oem rdx ballasts and the Philips d2s bulbs.

 

Whay sucks is you can het the new jewels jeadlight for about $150 why the he k is the 2008-2012 headlighrs so damn expensive?

 

I would love to see where you can buy a new OEM RDX jewel healdight for $150.

 

So what did you end up going with? I'm currently researching which ballast/headlamp igniter to change to.

Thanks!!