ChrisG

Hi All,
I recently did a deal with Pete at Scoobysport in which he threw in a set of "Powerwhite" headlamp bulbs. I finally got round to fitting them today and noticed they are 100/80W rated.
Are these things safe to fit to a UK spec MY00 or will they melt the loom / headlamp reflector etc?
Has anyone ever used a set of higher wattage bulb successfully on a UK spec car?
Regards,
Chris

pwebb

I ran with 100/80 bulbs when I had a UK car - no problems with the wiring - but - the connectors on the back of the bulbs (three pin thing) were very hard to shift after a few months - I think there was too much heat being generated for the cheap connector - maybe you could apply some (non conducting) grease to the connector to make sure they come off again (or periodically loosen them) - otherwise no problems. My current jap spec car has 100W/80W and doesn't suffer this problem so I suspect the wiring is a higher spec on imports.

fwiw - halford's cheapest crappy 100w/80w halogen bulbs (£10 for 2) were brighter than any of the new fangled super white etc bulbs that retail for up to £60 that I tried !!! - problem is they are not legal for the road if not carrying the e marking - my tip - use a bit of duraglit to remove the wattage lettering on the 100w bulbs and slap them in there - scooby headlights are so crap you are unlikely to dazzle anyone - and , if you are ever 'investigated' by plod etc (on 99 and newer cars, the lenses are clear so you can see the bulb markings clearly from the front) - if the bulbs have no markings on them then no-one will know eh?

tip 2 - eat lots of carrots - probably cheaper than expensive headlamp bulbs ;-)

Paul W

Pete Croney

Hi Chris

I've used the Powerwhites in all of my own cars for the last two years. No probs with over heating cables or connectors.

A very good product and much cheaper than the alternatives.

Dave T-S

Pete
Tell me more - having just replaced a PIAA EWC1 (at £46 a pair) that only lasted 4 months........you may have a new bulb customer.

Hoppy

Yeah, me too, Pete. I've wasted £90 on fancy bulbs that lasted a fortnight when I really needed them, but have been put off the high-wattage bulbs by tales of a) illegal, b) over-loads the wiring (are UK and import cars different?) and, c) they melt the plastic headlight units.

Any comments on the above? Help appreciated.

Hoppy

Dave T-S

CMON PETE

CMON PETE

CMON PETE

I want to spend some money with you

Rob W

Hmm sounds interesting, I'm after a new set of bulbs
Rob

Sith

C'mon Pete. Explain away.

P.

Dave T-S

Rob
To go with your new number plates M8??

Dave T-S

Typical
He pops up, makes a couple of posts, and buggers off on holiday again till next Monday.....probably only to make the point that he's not at work like the rest of the planet

The Zohan

Just (last nite) brought a pair of the 80/100w cheapie bulbs from Halfords. Fitted 'em outside the Superstore under the street lights.

Seem a fair bit brighter - my trip home is mostly unlit by street lamps - much better.

did not get flashed by oncoming traffic (on dipped beam)

I left the lights on for 20 mins outside the house - headlamps did not get excessively hot, nor did the wiring loom.

So far so good....

Pete Croney

They are £23 a pair (inc) and give a nice powerful very white light.

They also have a coating on them which shields out the UV, to protect our plastic lenses.

carl

Huh? Isn't it the IR that melts the lenses?

Dave T-S

Thanks Pete
You can go back to sleep until Monday now.....

Dave T-S

Rob

"just passing Scoobysport" - yeah right - on your way from Enfield to Cardiff.....

You know Pete Croney fits a secret homing device to every car that goes in to his workshop.....

Paul J

This is looking good, but I'd hate for us all to rush off in the hope of seeing the light (!) only to end up with problems.

Does anyone have any info as to whether there are differences in the wiring/lenses on the UK and WRX versions, or for earlier versions. eg - has the wiring been upgraded during later years. Also, is older wiring more prone to problems due to wear and tear etc.

(Vested interest as I desparately want better lights on my 95 WRX.)

Paul

Rob W

Dave LOL


I was passing scoobysport today so i popped in and picked up a pair! even had them fitted, nice one Pete! cheers

Oh by the way, they do give a nice bright white light and make a big improvement compared to my other bulbs, the headlights didn't seem to get extra hot either-which is nice

Rob

john banks

Just wondering if you go for "illegal" bulbs - eg 100/80 then what might happen if there was an accident and someone claimed they were dazzled by your car - presumably insurance would be invalid etc if you were found out? Dave T-S?

I bought the Halfords Xenon 60/55W "30% brighter" ones today and they seem to be a worthwhile improvement - they didn't have the 100/80 in stock in two stores I tried.

Dave T-S

John
Possibly. It would be difficult to prove the dazzle bit cos if round here is anything to go by every other car seems to have an optic equivalent of Clarence the cross eyed lion (if you remember Daktari - I doubt it!!!) for headlamps.

If the parts are not E marked however.....but then grey imports do not have E marked parts and ins co's insure them...

In reality whilst 100w bulbs do make a difference it is not a huge amount - the increase in wattage is not linear i.e. a 110w bulb does not give twice as much light as a 55w - only around 10-20% - and as certain car reflector design makes dazzle worse than others - I think it would be a very difficult charge to bring.

CLS

I agree with Dave T-S, I doubt if there is a single instance of 'too bright bulbs' causing problems, if it were a problem people would be being prosecuted for leaving their main beam on. That just never happens, despite it being an offence.
Just as a matter of interest when I wander into Halfords tomorrow for these 'super bulbs' what do I ask for? Are they a standard fit? I only ask cos last time I walked in to Halfords several years ago for a Nova windscreen wiper I was faced with a choice of about 46 and of course finally chose the wrong one Do I ask for an Impreza bulb I doubt it. Please help

john banks

"Halfords 472B High Performance Brilliance Headlight Bulb Xenon gas technology 30% brighter for greater safety 12v 60/55W" silver based packet with clear plastic top 2/3rds! - quoted from the packets I was just putting away with the old bulbs in.

Dave T-S - have mailed you.

CLS

John Banks you are a star for that rapid reply! thanks M8

iain atkins

Just fitted a pair of SS Power White bulbs and noticed that they are rated 90/100w (printed on the metal of the bulb) and on trying them up against a white barn door (oooer missus) they give off a blue/amber/browny light. Just wondered if i might have the all weather ones packaged in a powerwhite box!!

Any comments please


Iain

NAF

I'm using 80/100 watt bulbs in my MY99 for the past few months
No probs regarding melted loom or reflectors
I've been keeping a close eye on them due to the various stories knocking about but things seem ok so far anyway

Niall

alistair

Changed to Halfords 80/100's last night - no twin packs so 7.49 each - but wow ! I had Xenons in before and these are much better.

chrisnobbs

£11.99 for a pair, Halfords 100/80w HBU484.

richto

I run 130W / 95W bulbs (From Shirley Motor Spares, Croydon). No heat or loom probs. Nice and bright....

Illegal I think...I dont think you could ever tell though - they are not outrageously bright. Not like my gas discharge driving lights.....

Luke

Just got new "VisionPlus" H4. Bulbbs from "PHILIPS" £20.50 pair inc post. These have just won 3 mag tests. Better than my 80/100's.Contact "Regal Auto Bulbs" Tel: 01233 860638.

I also tried them against "Halfords" bulbs. The "Visionplus" are a better driving bulb.

Luke

Chris Bond

Richto

Tell me more about your gas discharge driving light. Price, availability, easy to fit, how expensive to replace bulbs, etc.....

Chris.