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100watts for low beams?

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Old Jul 27, 2003 | 08:31 PM
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Default 100watts for low beams?

Is it safe to fir 100watt bulbs in the low beam sockets? Breathless Performance notched out hi-beam bulbs for the low beams and suggested I try them.
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Old Jul 27, 2003 | 10:58 PM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (turboo2u)

Good way to meet the local police. (Failure to dim)
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Old Jul 27, 2003 | 11:32 PM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (mapman)

toss the stock set-up and get a H4 set-up from LAPD
Then run 90/130's

http://www.thelapd.com/Merchant2/mer..._Code=Lighting


[Modified by SHOWTIME!, 8:32 PM 7/27/2003]
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Old Jul 27, 2003 | 11:42 PM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (SHOWTIME!)

I got the ecode lights with PIAA 100/150 H4 bulbs(these are actual wattages-not the "equivelant" ratings). If your using true 100watt lowbeams with the US spec plastic housings & wiring then you might run into trouble. As far as getting pulled over with 100w bulbs-if you aim them correctly then youll have no problems. Mine have been aimed correctly & not once has anybody flashed their brights at me nor have the cops pulled me over.
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Old Jul 28, 2003 | 12:49 AM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (turboo2u)

Can I ask the obvious question? -- Why?

Let's run through the logic here:

"low beams" = in town or other use where you'll be meeting other traffic head on, and don't wish to blind other drivers.

"high beams" = highway or other use where your lights are not in danger of blinding other drivers and you need maximum light.

So why spend money to put 100w lights in the LOW-beam position? Why not put the money into the high-beams, and switch them on when you need them?
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Old Jul 28, 2003 | 03:03 AM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (Kent1999)

Stock low beams weren't adequate enough. Especially on the highway where you can't use high beams if your within 2 or 3 hundred feet behind someone. The lows also have a wider field of view than the highs which you need to spot the animal on the side of the road ready to dart across. I am running 100watt blue bulbs for the high beams which work great but have a completely different field of view than the lows. High beams are always a danger of blinding and annoying other drivers IN FRONT OF YOU, and where I live, the highways are very congested at night.
Can I ask the obvious question? -- Why?

Let's run through the logic here:

"low beams" = in town or other use where you'll be meeting other traffic head on, and don't wish to blind other drivers.

"high beams" = highway or other use where your lights are not in danger of blinding other drivers and you need maximum light.

So why spend money to put 100w lights in the LOW-beam position? Why not put the money into the high-beams, and switch them on when you need them?
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Old Jul 28, 2003 | 09:19 AM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (turboo2u)

I'd say go ahead with the 100w low beams. IMHO The vette sits low enough that you rarely shine directly in the eyes of the SUV's and Minivan's clogging the road.
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Old Jul 28, 2003 | 09:22 AM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (turboo2u)

Stock low beams weren't adequate enough. ....
:confused:
I live in the country, and find the stock lighting adequate (low and high beam), but that is just me. I find night is not a good time to drive fast, too many bad things can happen.

The low beam circuit fuse is 10A, the 100w bulbs should draw around 7A each (P=E*I), so heat may be a problem.

After you have a chance to run them for a while, please post if the sockets/wires/fuses can withstand the heat . I am interested to see how well this works.

:)


[Modified by mapman, 8:32 AM 7/28/2003]
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Old Jul 28, 2003 | 09:28 AM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (BQuicksilver)

I'd say go ahead with the 100w low beams. IMHO The vette sits low enough that you rarely shine directly in the eyes of the SUV's and Minivan's clogging the road.
Especially when she's lowered by 2". :) :) :)
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Old Jul 28, 2003 | 09:31 AM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (mapman)

Stock low beams weren't adequate enough.
I agree, they're considerably dimmer than any other stock lighting system in my fam's vehicles. Our friggin Civic puts out about double the light of the C5. Go knows it's not the car that needs it. I think going to 100w will just get you to a safe level, not blind oncoming traffic.
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Old Jul 28, 2003 | 11:05 PM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (BQuicksilver)

the stock set-up sucks no matter how many watts you run. junk it !
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Old Jul 29, 2003 | 10:40 PM
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Default Re: 100watts for low beams? (SHOWTIME!)

If you dont want to converter to H4 then using 100w+ PIAA works well.

They are not super bright but that seems to be a function of the lens as I have the exact same bulbs (9006) in my Z71 and they are much brighter.

Either way, the stock housings will hold up fine and you can defiantely see the road better. I rarely blind other drivers even though they do remark on how bright my lights appear. (I have a ton of friends in my car club and we cruise around alot ;)

Also Tbyrne has pretty good prices on these, they showed up as $59.99 for the Platinum Super White 9006/9005 These new bulbs are 115w low/125w high.
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