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AP1 Ballasts

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Old Nov 22, 2022 | 09:33 PM
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Default AP1 Ballasts

Just got a set of jdm ap1 headlights but I'm switching over from usdm ap2 headlights. I don't have the ballasts for these and it seems like I can't find any aftermarket solution or even oem used. Anybody got any ideas of what I could do? Retrofit the ap2 ballasts on? Thanks!
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Old Nov 23, 2022 | 03:51 AM
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You can just get the appropriate ballast from Ebay. They're cheap.
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Old Nov 23, 2022 | 08:03 AM
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Originally Posted by randomwalk101
You can just get the appropriate ballast from Ebay. They're cheap.
For the AP1 ballasts? In the US, on ebay, the cheapest I could find is $350 for only one side
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Old Nov 23, 2022 | 01:09 PM
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Yep, seems like the prices have gone way up and availability has gone way down.

No, there's no good way to retrofit unless you have a 3D printer or something, to make an adapter.

Or if you do something really creative to make the AP2 ballast fit and also be waterproof.

Or move to CA/AZ where things don't technically need to be waterproof.
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Old Nov 23, 2022 | 01:13 PM
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What do you mean water proof? Aren't the ballasts already water resistant? It's not like the way they screw on the ap2 headlights make a difference right?

I do got a 3D printer so I could try something but unsure how exactly. Was initially thinking because the ap2 ballasts are so cheap and available I would just get some metal strips and epoxy it onto the ballast and screw it down to the existing holes.
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Old Nov 23, 2022 | 01:55 PM
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The ballast attaches to the headlight and goes into it.

You have to waterproof that opening or you'll ruin your headlights. Moisture will get in them.

There is a factory seal between the ballast and headlamp housing.

If you have a 3D printer and 3D modeling capability, its easy asf to make an adapter.

Print the upper surface of an AP1 ballast where it mates to the headlight. That's your adapter surface.

Leave an opening for the igniter and wires.

Design it so that the AP2 ballast bolts to that adapter you just printed.

Its so easy....assuming your print bed is big enough.

You can use PETG. Don't use PLA.

Last edited by B serious; Nov 23, 2022 at 01:58 PM.
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Old Nov 23, 2022 | 09:45 PM
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Okay that makes more sense!
Thanks so much I appreciate it
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Old Nov 23, 2022 | 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by B serious
The ballast attaches to the headlight and goes into it.

You have to waterproof that opening or you'll ruin your headlights. Moisture will get in them.

There is a factory seal between the ballast and headlamp housing.

If you have a 3D printer and 3D modeling capability, its easy asf to make an adapter.

Print the upper surface of an AP1 ballast where it mates to the headlight. That's your adapter surface.

Leave an opening for the igniter and wires.

Design it so that the AP2 ballast bolts to that adapter you just printed.

Its so easy....assuming your print bed is big enough.

You can use PETG. Don't use PLA.
Do you also happen to know if the AP1 ballasts have a difference in passenger side and driver side? Or are they interchangable
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Old Nov 24, 2022 | 01:58 AM
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They're interchangeable
You can shop smart too

https://www.ebay.com/itm/29417040046...mis&media=COPY
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Old Nov 24, 2022 | 09:39 PM
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Right! Cheapest one I could find for 2 so far is around $300. Looking to try and spend under $200 for a pair of ballasts. There's also different AP1 ballasts where one has holes and the other doesn't?
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