Halogen bulbs, 80w ok?

M

Mr Whippy

Veteran
 Harrogate
Are 80W bulbs ok in the Z4 headlamps?

Has anyone else tried them? Electrics and or heat damage?


Just the 55W 100%+ extra type bulbs seem to fail after about 18 months so it's getting quite annoying and expensive. In the past I used 80W bulbs which were brighter, more reliable and cheaper. I was tempted to think with age the tech would improve but the these fancy H7 55W things seem more fragile than ever, and haven't really dropped in price either. Seems silly to be budgeting £20 a year for headlight bulbs :D

Cheers

Dave
 
I believe that the 80W are show only, and not road legal? 55W is the legal setting for road use...
 
Yeah, there is a 'legality' issue...

But I'm guessing that the concern is intensity, and since wattage isn't proportional to intensity with these more modern xenon mix filled 55W bulbs (extra 100-200% extra brightness), I'm just thinking it's better to get the light via more watts than a more expensive higher tech bulb that fails more often.


I'm also guessing that the higher intensity 55W bulbs burn brighter and thus hotter, posing just as much risk from higher temperatures in the light fitting.

So my only main concern is the wiring/loom, but I'm assuming fuses protect those elements (as that is the point of fuses)


BUT, I just thought I'd check hehe.


As said, just fed up of the 55W bulbs with 'extra' intensity failing so often, and them costing so much. And just plain Halogen H7 55W are not so good on a Z4.

Cheers

Dave
 
Mr Whippy said:
I'm also guessing that the higher intensity 55W bulbs burn brighter and thus hotter, posing just as much risk from higher temperatures in the light fitting.

So my only main concern is the wiring/loom, but I'm assuming fuses protect those elements (as that is the point of fuses)
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If they're actually 55W, then they should be cooler than the dimmer 55W bulbs. The 55W is the energy consumption, it can go be converted to light or heat - more of one means less of another. Xenon are much brighter, but they're much more efficient so they're actually cooler than halogen!
 
@ Dave: Correct, the wiring away from the housing can handle the extra current. My concern is the lamp housing can barely handle the close to 55W of heat (with halogens, most energy becomes heat, rather than light). 80W bulbs may just put it over the edge. The socket could melt in proximity of the bulb. I have seen cars where the exterior housing was burnt and deformed from over wattage bulbs. Of course, I don't know what they tried to use, could have been 150W offroad bulbs.

I wouldn't risk it myself, but it might be OK. Also ensure your lights are aimed as high as legally possible, that may help a bit.
 
bcworkz said:
@ Dave: Correct, the wiring away from the housing can handle the extra current. My concern is the lamp housing can barely handle the close to 55W of heat (with halogens, most energy becomes heat, rather than light). 80W bulbs may just put it over the edge. The socket could melt in proximity of the bulb. I have seen cars where the exterior housing was burnt and deformed from over wattage bulbs. Of course, I don't know what they tried to use, could have been 150W offroad bulbs.

I wouldn't risk it myself, but it might be OK. Also ensure your lights are aimed as high as legally possible, that may help a bit.
Click to expand...

+1 I wouldn't put 80W bulbs in.

However, have you made sure your lights are nice and clean? They may be a little cloudy - give them a polish (as opposed to a normal clean), might make a world of difference!
 
I put 100w in my older B5 model Audi A$ and no problems,thenI put them in the new B7 and the headlampcowl statrted melting,try them at home switched on for a few minutes whilst keeping a beady eye on things to test it first.
 
Hmmm, some good points everyone!

Especially the 55W and heat issue of the Xenon filled bulbs. If they are brighter and still 55W they must be giving up heat to make light!

I just went and swapped the bulbs for the 100% filled xenon 55w jobbies from Ring. I expect they will blow again in a year or 18 months, but I'll hopefully have moved to xenon retrofit by then... maybe :D

Thanks for the input!

Dave
 
I fitted 80 watt "rally" bulbs in mine 2 years ago with no issues since.It's been through 2 MOT's and no problems.I know they're not for road use, but hey, I can see where I'm going. :D :driving:
 
Dont know why yours are blowing I havent lost a headlamp bulb for years,check to see if there is a poor connection or a mounting bolt loose giving vibration.
 
The reason that xenon halogen bulbs are brighter and whiter is the filament burns at a higher temperature. It also means they do not last as long. The xenon bit is rather misleading. Any inert gas would do for the halogen process, the gas is never brought to an excited state as in HID lamps.

Everything's a trade off. Better light or longer life? Different suppliers pick different points on the trade off curve.
 
Yeah, these new ones look brighter and whiter than the old ones.

The old ones were decent Ring ones, but in comparing the old bulb with the new ones the new design looks much more sturdy and higher quality.

Fingers crossed they will be working in 18 months time... just in time for a swap to proper xenons perhaps :D

Dave
 
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