Bulbs replacement for headlights

[rogerkiu]

Hi all! Just a quick question: as I know, the original bulb for my X's fog light, low beam light and high beam light are: 55W H3, 55W H7 and 65W HB3 respectively. Can I change the bulbs to those consume higher watt like 80W or even 100W (Philips Rally bulbs)? Will it burn out the bulb base if I use those higher watt bulbs? Thanks!

[xnsf]

happy 100 posts!

[rogerkiu]

Is there anyone who can help me? Thanks!

[cary]

Originally Posted by rogerkiu

Hi all! Just a quick question: as I know, the original bulb for my X's fog light, low beam light and high beam light are: 55W H3, 55W H7 and 65W HB3 respectively. Can I change the bulbs to those consume higher watt like 80W or even 100W (Philips Rally bulbs)? Will it burn out the bulb base if I use those higher watt bulbs? Thanks!

Going to 80 or 100 watt bulbs could be asking for trouble as the switches, wiring, and/or lenses may not handle it. However, there are alternatives that will give you more light (increased lumens which is light output).

Your 55 watt H3 fog lamps should be left alone. The good thing is you really don't want brighter fog lamps, the extra foreground illumination will only only harm your distance vision. They are 1450 lumens out of the box, you could go with Narva or Phillips +50 bulb, but it will only net you 50-100 lumens extra.

For your H7 low beam, there is a new upgrade bulb that will help you. The standard H7 55 watt bulb has 1500 lumens output (reasonably efficient). There is now a 65 watt H7 bulb available, it puts out 2100 lumens, and the extra 10 watt draw should not cause issues with your wiring headlamp out warning system.

For the 9005 (HB3) high beams it is easy. The standard 9005 lamp puts out 1700 lumens. Several years ago, GE developed a bulb for John Deere that used a industrial lamp technology known as Halogen infrared (HIR), which increased lamp efficiency by about 40%. You can buy a Toshiba/Harrison made 9011 HIR lamps, which with a small tab trimming drops right in, draws the same 65 watts and outputs 2350 lumens. Note, be careful, there are many people advertising "HIR" bulbs on ebay that are not HIR's. Only Toshiba/Harrison has the license to build them (GE owns the patent), and last I checked they only made them in 9012 and 9011 bulbs (they have a distinctive look to the bulb because of the coating/shape).

Both of the above bulbs are available from Danielsternlighting.com or rallylights.com.

[rogerkiu]

Originally Posted by cary

Going to 80 or 100 watt bulbs could be asking for trouble as the switches, wiring, and/or lenses may not handle it. However, there are alternatives that will give you more light (increased lumens which is light output).

Your 55 watt H3 fog lamps should be left alone. The good thing is you really don't want brighter fog lamps, the extra foreground illumination will only only harm your distance vision. They are 1450 lumens out of the box, you could go with Narva or Phillips +50 bulb, but it will only net you 50-100 lumens extra.

For your H7 low beam, there is a new upgrade bulb that will help you. The standard H7 55 watt bulb has 1500 lumens output (reasonably efficient). There is now a 65 watt H7 bulb available, it puts out 2100 lumens, and the extra 10 watt draw should not cause issues with your wiring headlamp out warning system.

For the 9005 (HB3) high beams it is easy. The standard 9005 lamp puts out 1700 lumens. Several years ago, GE developed a bulb for John Deere that used a industrial lamp technology known as Halogen infrared (HIR), which increased lamp efficiency by about 40%. You can buy a Toshiba/Harrison made 9011 HIR lamps, which with a small tab trimming drops right in, draws the same 65 watts and outputs 2350 lumens. Note, be careful, there are many people advertising "HIR" bulbs on ebay that are not HIR's. Only Toshiba/Harrison has the license to build them (GE owns the patent), and last I checked they only made them in 9012 and 9011 bulbs (they have a distinctive look to the bulb because of the coating/shape).

Both of the above bulbs are available from Danielsternlighting.com or rallylights.com.

Very detail! Thanks a lot!