Agree with the above,

The PIAA (H3's ??) Spot bulbs have lasted quite a few hours, used on main beam for about 15 to 20 mins a day for a guess for best part of 14 months (but I never really start the car with them on !), the PIAA plasma blue H4's lasted the longest with around a year but and a BIG BUT I turned the engine off with them on then re-started with them on and they both blew within 10 minutes . I basicly couldn't justify the extra cost at the time (with kids holidays and stuff) so plumped for some Halfords replacments and they are no where near as good as the PIAA's. IMHO the PIAA's do justify the extra cost, as they make a hell of a difference.
In your case I would certainly check the voltage across your battery at around 3k rpm (I'm sure the alternator is at max output at this speed, varies with make of car tho') it should give you some idea of the max output ... I've known cars peak at 14.5v with cheap re-con alternators. You have got to get that sorted before you waste yet more cash on PIAA's !

K

[Edited by Kev - 12/5/2001 3:40:57 PM]

 

Replacement bulbs only last for a few days/weeks and at nearly £20 a pair it is begining to hurt. I am v careful not to touch bulb when fitting and presume there is no fault as such cos they do work for a bit. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

Are they headlamp or drive lamp bulbs?

 

Kevin

Some Imprezas run a very high voltage. The target voltage is 13.7v

This is also the design voltage for bulb manufacturers. We have seen Imprezas running at or over 14v and some spiking to 14.5v.

Such high voltages are fatal for any high power bulbs.

I would suggest getting your alternator output checked before buying loads more bulbs.

 

kev
Presuming at that price they are drive lamp bulbs, this might also help:

http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...threadid=32981

 

I think PIAA's are fragile - plain and simple.
Having spent nearly £200 on PIAA's in 6 months, I went for some Halfords 55/100W about a year ago (£12 a pair I think) and they're still going strong.
Cheers
Kav

 

This might help we have had our PIAA plasma blues 2 years now so it might be helping extend their life a bit!

http://www.subaru555.btinternet.co.uk/piaa.htm

Simple and easy to do

Huxley

 

I cannot add anthing new but I think you should defo get the voltage checked out I think Pete from SS was referring to a prob with the voltage in a few problem cars incl mine its going to be checked out by subaru on friday as the voltage did spike at 14.5v ish when we tested it at SS. If you are running high volts I think whichever high spec bulbs you use they will blow. The only problem I see and I'll let you know how I get on is convincing subaru that because the car is putting out a little too much volts will they replace the alternator??

 

thanks everyone, i'll get my volts checked before i loose any more dosh.
All the best!

 

I've been to the local carnoisseur shop in cambridge they said if you buy piaa's from them that they are guarranteed if they blow within a couple of months if you send them back to piaa they usually replace them as long as they haven't been handled with fingers. it may be worth a try.

 

My PIAA lamps blew just out of the 90 day warranty and as they were
not touched by fingers they replaced them free of charge. I then put the new ones in a Pug 306 and they lasted 9 months. They only blew(both at once) when I shut the bonnet too hard one day so be warned they are very fragile.

Taz

 

I did Dave T-S's bumper fix on MY '00 and I've not blown a bulb since the lights were fitted in October 2000 (I'm talking PIAA driving lamps here).

 

Is the item in question the main lamp bulb, the fog light bulb or the driving light bulb? What wattage? tks.

 

RT
If you mean was the original question relating to the headlamp or drive lamp bulbs, we never established that......but at £20 a pair, I would guess the H3 drive lamp bulbs.