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RetroSolutions 55W kit (review)


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I purchased the 55w 5000k kit for my 2012 Edge Sport right after I picked it up from the dealer in September...but I just got around to installing it! Just wanted to post a few thoughts on the job:

 

- All components are VERY well made & seem to be ready for a lifetime of use. Both ballasts emit a slight high pitched sound when active, but I have not noticed any issues with the system not firing and/or stuttering at startup. It came on at the first startup and has worked since. My only gripe was is that the heat shrink put on the relay part of the harness should cover the bottom half of the relay as well as the female plug / wiring. I wrapped it up with some additional electrical tape to seal it from the elements (as well as the bottom of the capacitor for added protection).

 

- The harness is KEY to this job!! If you buy a kit without the pre-made harness, you are buying the wrong kit! Not that it is hard, but the ease of install was fantastic & I am sure that everything is connected and sealed properly. I think I spent more time routing the wires neatly than connecting the system.

 

- Finding mounting points for the ballasts is the hardest part! I managed to find spots for both in easily accessible locations & utilized OEM hardware points to mount. I thought I was going to have a problem finding acceptable grounding points or drill some new ones, but I was able to find spots that were within reach of the kit's ground leads. I will post pictures later this week...

 

- The light output is AWESOME! Huge difference over OEM...I had HIDs in my previous vehicle & this system has comparable if not better performance.

 

- I have not adjusted the headlight alignment as it seems to be OK as is. My headlights were fine from the get-go, and the only light output issue I can see is that there is a tad extra output from the drivers side lens. Seems to be a light leak from the side of the projector...nothing I can seemingly do about it & it doesn't point high / blind people so it is what it is. I'll post a picture of this as well to elaborate.

 

Overall I am EXTREMELY satisfied with the kit & will most definitely recommend RetroSolutions to anyone who asked where I got my HIDs

I will follow up with pictures after I take some quality shots

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Photos to document the job:

 

DS Ballast - drivers side ballast mounted on OEM intake bolt & relay mounted on adjacent bolt (used an old nut leftover from my 1994 Taurus SHO ironically...)

post-18657-0-51812600-1326202814_thumb.jpeg

 

PS Ballast - passenger side ballast mounted on OEM radiator overflow tank bolt

post-18657-0-48278700-1326202819_thumb.jpeg

 

Bay - shows non intrusive locations of ballasts

post-18657-0-26949200-1326202827_thumb.jpeg

 

Beam - beam pattern from ~10ft

post-18657-0-49012600-1326202833_thumb.jpg

 

Lens - the location of my "light leak"

post-18657-0-10307900-1326202841_thumb.jpg

 

Head on - looking good!

post-18657-0-59513500-1326202984_thumb.jpg

 

Thanks RetroSolutions!

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the job looks well done and the light quality is awesome, if you don't mind saying, what was the tab on these completely installed?

 

The kit w/ the Edge hardness was ~$145.00 with shipping

Install was free

 

I am so pleased w/ the way that it came out...very well worth it

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Ive had nothing but problems with my retro solutions kit. At first they were great, then the left ballast went, sent it back, Todd said it was defective. Then the right went about 2 months later, sent that one back, Todd says it locked and he will not warranty them for that. So then the other day the fuse in the harness kept blowing. No I had to go back to the OEM bulbs. The day the fuse blew I had to drive home without headlights. I have not called Todd back on this last issue yet, but will tomorrow. At this point I have had it with this system.

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Ive had nothing but problems with my retro solutions kit. At first they were great, then the left ballast went, sent it back, Todd said it was defective. Then the right went about 2 months later, sent that one back, Todd says it locked and he will not warranty them for that. So then the other day the fuse in the harness kept blowing. No I had to go back to the OEM bulbs. The day the fuse blew I had to drive home without headlights. I have not called Todd back on this last issue yet, but will tomorrow. At this point I have had it with this system.

 

Troll much?

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I purchased the 55w 5000k kit for my 2012 Edge Sport right after I picked it up from the dealer in September...but I just got around to installing it! Just wanted to post a few thoughts on the job:

 

- All components are VERY well made & seem to be ready for a lifetime of use. Both ballasts emit a slight high pitched sound when active, but I have not noticed any issues with the system not firing and/or stuttering at startup. It came on at the first startup and has worked since. My only gripe was is that the heat shrink put on the relay part of the harness should cover the bottom half of the relay as well as the female plug / wiring. I wrapped it up with some additional electrical tape to seal it from the elements (as well as the bottom of the capacitor for added protection).

 

- The harness is KEY to this job!! If you buy a kit without the pre-made harness, you are buying the wrong kit! Not that it is hard, but the ease of install was fantastic & I am sure that everything is connected and sealed properly. I think I spent more time routing the wires neatly than connecting the system.

 

- Finding mounting points for the ballasts is the hardest part! I managed to find spots for both in easily accessible locations & utilized OEM hardware points to mount. I thought I was going to have a problem finding acceptable grounding points or drill some new ones, but I was able to find spots that were within reach of the kit's ground leads. I will post pictures later this week...

 

- The light output is AWESOME! Huge difference over OEM...I had HIDs in my previous vehicle & this system has comparable if not better performance.

 

- I have not adjusted the headlight alignment as it seems to be OK as is. My headlights were fine from the get-go, and the only light output issue I can see is that there is a tad extra output from the drivers side lens. Seems to be a light leak from the side of the projector...nothing I can seemingly do about it & it doesn't point high / blind people so it is what it is. I'll post a picture of this as well to elaborate.

 

Overall I am EXTREMELY satisfied with the kit & will most definitely recommend RetroSolutions to anyone who asked where I got my HIDs

I will follow up with pictures after I take some quality shots

 

 

Hi nitrocs,

 

 

Please could you post some pictures for your new HID light output on the roads (nighttime).

 

Thanks in advance.

:D

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Hi nitrocs,

 

 

Please could you post some pictures for your new HID light output on the roads (nighttime).

 

Thanks in advance.

:D

 

 

Sorry for taking a while to get these on here....its difficult to take pictures when youre the only one in the car!

The first couple are taken at twilight against the side of my house (~25ft away)

#4 is with high beams from same position

The last is taken while driving at night on a "dark" road

 

LMK if you'd like to see any more

post-18657-0-04590000-1327598628_thumb.jpg

post-18657-0-78157800-1327598639_thumb.jpg

post-18657-0-38828900-1327598650_thumb.jpg

post-18657-0-76409600-1327598662_thumb.jpg

post-18657-0-26857100-1327598673_thumb.jpg

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Exodus (6000k) / Nitrocs (5000k) how close would you compare your systems to the vertical LED bars/running lights. Since you both have the two temperature colors I am debating. All cameras take photos differently especially at night. Thanks!

 

 

The LED lights have a slightly "bluer" hue to them when compared to the 5000k...but its really really close. I thought about getting the 6000k originally, but thought that may bee too blue & Id loose light output...negating th benefits of the 55w kit IMO

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The LED lights have a slightly "bluer" hue to them when compared to the 5000k...but its really really close. I thought about getting the 6000k originally, but thought that may bee too blue & Id loose light output...negating th benefits of the 55w kit IMO

 

Ok thanks, same reason I went with the 5000k.

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  • 1 month later...

Troll much?

Now why would you say that? I have had these problems with my system and you call me a troll. You are local to me so why don't you bring yourself around and have a look at my retro solutions light kit. Then decide if you want to call me a troll.

Eagerly awaiting your reply.

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  • 6 months later...

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