Popped headlight bulbs
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 9
From: Ivins, Utah
Popped headlight bulbs
Has anyone had the problem of popped headlight bulbs ?? Within 5 min. and only after being on for about 10 min. total; I had 2 9006 80W low beam bulbs explode and 1 9005 100W high beam explode.
I shut them off before the final bulb had a chance to blow up.
I've replaced them all with stock bulbs, for now and no problem so far with about 1 hour on them.
Just wondering if anyone has had this problem ... what do you think, cheap bulbs ?? They were not a name brand that I've ever heard of.
I shut them off before the final bulb had a chance to blow up.
I've replaced them all with stock bulbs, for now and no problem so far with about 1 hour on them.
Just wondering if anyone has had this problem ... what do you think, cheap bulbs ?? They were not a name brand that I've ever heard of.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 9
From: Ivins, Utah
I was careful not to touch the bulbs.
I don't think I did touch the bulbs and I am certian that I didn't touch all 3 burst bulbs.
I have checked the voltage and it is charging at 14.5 V, no more.
No faults on overcharging.
Thanks for the reply.
I don't think I did touch the bulbs and I am certian that I didn't touch all 3 burst bulbs.
I have checked the voltage and it is charging at 14.5 V, no more.
No faults on overcharging.
Thanks for the reply.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 9
From: Ivins, Utah
Originally Posted by Oldvetter
I use latex gloves when putting in halogen bulbs.
You didn't drive in rain did you? If so you may have a leak in headlight. Those higher wattage bulbs can melt the plastic lenses.
You didn't drive in rain did you? If so you may have a leak in headlight. Those higher wattage bulbs can melt the plastic lenses.
They did melt the plastic lens when they broke, had to replace those.
Good idea on the gloves .... what bulbs should I use so I don't melt the plastic lens ... ??
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Originally Posted by Secret237
No rain, they were only on for about 10 min. total before they blew.
They did melt the plastic lens when they broke, had to replace those.
Good idea on the gloves .... what bulbs should I use so I don't melt the plastic lens ... ??
Thanks
They did melt the plastic lens when they broke, had to replace those.
Good idea on the gloves .... what bulbs should I use so I don't melt the plastic lens ... ??
Thanks
You really should stick with the factory wattage. I use silverstars, they are whiter and seem brighter.
You can go to higher wattage bulbs IF you install European Headlights (they are glass), which have a better pattern. They use a single bulb that has high/low filaments in them. You may have to beef up the wiring if you increase the wattage much, wouldn't want to catch the car on fire!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Kansas
Originally Posted by Oldvetter
I use silverstars, they are whiter and seem brighter.
Dave
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Not sure what the cutoff is but I had to get the hi wattage harness to allow me to go to 135/90s in my Euro headlights.
If the headlights are dry it may be a current issue??
If the headlights are dry it may be a current issue??
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
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From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by DeeGee
If the headlights are dry it may be a current issue??
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 1
From: East Windsor NJ
Current draw is normally determined by the device drawing the current. Generally, you install your fuses at the start of the circuit to protect your wiring. If you think of it in terms of a house, the circuit breaker is up at the panel where the power enters the house. In a 15 amp circuit you have 14 gauge wire that runs out to the plugs. If you plug two space heaters at 1500 watts each into the circuit, the breaker will trip. Same concept with the lights too much wattage and you should start blowing fuses. Fuses are normally sized to the wire, since that is technically what they protect. Draw too much current across too small a wire gauge and you will likely have a fire. I hear people all the time talking about how they just installed a bigger fuse and voila, more power. Theory works right up until the meltdown.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
First of all 80W low and 100W high are not street legal - I notice a lot of people don't care who they blind at night but thought I'd point that out.
Anyway the higher wattage results in higher current and temperature especially at the contact points in the socket. You're putting 45% more current through the circuit with an 80W low bulb. The increase heat must be too much for those bulbs to handle.
Anyway the higher wattage results in higher current and temperature especially at the contact points in the socket. You're putting 45% more current through the circuit with an 80W low bulb. The increase heat must be too much for those bulbs to handle.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by JC in XTC5
First of all 80W low and 100W high are not street legal - I notice a lot of people don't care who they blind at night but thought I'd point that out.
Anyway the higher wattage results in higher current and temperature especially at the contact points in the socket. You're putting 45% more current through the circuit with an 80W low bulb. The increase heat must be too much for those bulbs to handle.
Anyway the higher wattage results in higher current and temperature especially at the contact points in the socket. You're putting 45% more current through the circuit with an 80W low bulb. The increase heat must be too much for those bulbs to handle.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Troy MI
Originally Posted by DeeGee
My hi wattage bulbs are fitted in Euro headlights. The beam is aimed and has a distinct cut off unlike the stock lights which just "flood" the beam.
Been running this set up as well for years and have never been flashed by on coming traffic!!
Adjust the aim!!
