Halo Headaches.... What to do?

[JetPilot]

Well, like many (as I am finding) I am having Halo no workie issues. I installed a set of AAC Halos in my Magnum RT headlights and had AAC make my fog light set. When the order arrived, one fog light ring was cracked, had to send it back to AAC. In the meantime, I installed the Headlight rings, wiring ect... Not sure how, but a aday after installing the headlight halos, I noticed one of my low beam tubes was broken after a short ten minute drive to work. Ordered a replacement and split the headlight apart and replaced the broken ring.
About 10 days after returning the defective Fog I finally receive a replacement unit back. Instead of checking the unit before installing, I just bolted it in and wired it up.... ring would only partially light up GREAT.....
So, I take the unit out, AAC insists it must be returned, repaired and sent back, yet again.

Now, I spent many years doing high end mobile electronic installs professionally, I have quite a bit of experience with automotive electronics. I installed a seperate, marine style fuse panel for the halo wiring, each inverter on its own fused 2A circuit. All connections where sealed with liquid tape to ensure no water intrusion and all wiring was loomed to protect against abrasion.
Well, about another 10 days later, I finally get my Fog back from AAC and install it. Plug in the fuses for both fogs and at last, I have all my Halos working.... for the moment anyway.
Well, the long needed rains finally come to florida and the first drive in the rain, my Fog halos are out, both of them! No blown fuses, just not lighting up
I call AAC and they want me to start pulling inverters and swapping them to see if the rings are blown or inverters.... At this point I am pissed... I am not going to pull the car completely apart AGAIN just to swap inverters, which are obviously bad, then have to put the car completely back together, then take it apart to replace the blown inverters which should not have failed in the first place. Tech says well, if you got water in the connections, that could be the problem....
Interesting he should say that since I had AAC make up the fog units. When they arrived the connections are merely sealed with heat shrink. If water is a KNOWN ISSUE, you would think AAC would be making these connections water proof!!! Not to mention the lack of sealant aroung the wire exits from the housing. Regardless, I did liquid tape these connections since AAC failed too, they are sealed.
Honestly, the customer service from AAC leaves quite a bit to be desired. I certainly wont be purchasing anything from them in the future and would never recommend their Halos to anyone, they are nothing but a major headache IMHO.

So... the big question.... Am I wasting my time with the AAC inverters? Should I bother having them replaced by AAC or are they just going to fail again in a week?
I have read some guys have been switching to Focuztech inverters and their problems are gone. What is the consensus on these, are the Focuztech inverters more reliable than AAC? I hate to spend yet more money on these things but I have them now, what else can I do?

[Super T]

Knock on wood, mine have been good since January...

[bigdog425]

i have a set of the focuztech inverters and they are beefy! they seem to work just fine. also you could contack AAC and maybe work something out to change to the leds. but that would mean cracking the headlights again.

[SKULLBOY]

Focuz Tech Inverters are by far the best I have used......never a problem with mine in over 3 years of daily use.......

The other option is to switch over to the LED Halos AAC now is selling......no inverters required.....just connect straight to 12V supply and ground.......Plus the LED halos are not a fragile as the CCFL style.....I too have suffered from a broken ring..........one day after putting the headlights in the car.......

[Bagged Mag]

Sorry youre having such terrible luck with your halos. Ive had mine for about 3 months and the only problem ive had is that my inverters are starting to bulge, but everything still works. just waiting for the inverters to go bad before i shell out the cash to buy better ones.

[JetPilot]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think what I am most annoyed with is I paid AAC to make the fogs, new housings and all. They arrive broken, then not working.... In addition to not sealing connections or the wire exits. They are well aware water is an issue with these inverters, why would you deliver a custom made product unfinished? Tech said "Do you expect electronics to work when they get wet" .... Ummm YES! My car has lots of electronics in it, it still functions in the rain!
While I would love for AAC to make things right, their policies for warranty in a major PITA. Pull the parts, ship them, wait for them to fix, reinstall and pray they last more than a week. Guess I'll have to give Focuz Tech a call and get some decent inverters so i can actually get some use out of these things....

[eldiablosrt8]

good luck my friend

[Maistro69]

Sorry youre having such terrible luck with your halos. Ive had mine for about 3 months and the only problem ive had is that my inverters are starting to bulge, but everything still works. just waiting for the inverters to go bad before i shell out the cash to buy better ones.

Very bad idea. The next step might be a fire. They will swap them out with the newer beefy/fused ones for free.

[BlackTop]

Ask for the led's fpr replacement instead and that will eliminate your ccfl drama. I had to wait for the leds and now it looks great.

[TWIST3D BLACK MAG]

IMO....the LED Rings are far better than the CCFL Rings..................

[themongrel]

I here ya, after a year one of my high beam rings is dim and will not light up all the way. I am done with halos...

[SKULLBOY]

I here ya, after a year one of my high beam rings is dim and will not light up all the way. I am done with halos...

My Large Passenger side ring slowly goes out if the car is not running.......The rest stay lit up......Checked all the connections and they are good.........No problem when the car is running.........

I got in on the AAC LED Halo Group buy, so when My CCFLS finally tank (or if winter comes first), I will be switching over them........No more Inverters!!!!!!

IF your Inverters are "bulging" or you smell something electrical when you are in the car, pull out those inverters........they can start a nasty fire and melt a lot of things pretty quickly.......

[Gdragich]

I am anxiously awaiting my new Flashtech Halos-no inverters/no fires/no hassles! I ordered their "already installed in black headlights" package, so I wil just need to swap and plug with no worries!

[Smoove06CSRT]

AAC inverters are pure junk.

they have burned down many LX's.

if you must keep em get the heavy duty focuztech inverters for em...

or do what I am....toss those AAC POS rings and get the Flashtech led halos.

NO INVERTERS....

[Meathammer]

^^^^ What he said.