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Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by todd burke on
Wednesday, 18 February 1998, at 6:50 p.m.
i have another question about the "eurolights" and other similar bulbs. a guy at a local auto/off-road accessory shop cautioned me, not only about the additional electrical load on the wires/relays that results form the installation of high power bulbs, but also that those bulbs generate additional heat the that might melt/warp/distort the lense or reflector. is the heat issue something to be concerned about or are the lense/reflectors on the '97 850 able to put up with the heat?
thanks,
todd b.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Goran Haijenhjelm on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 2:22 a.m.
I don´t know about 850. But a high wattage bulb (100 or 110W) puts
a lot of extra strain on the reflector and glass. Regarding wiring, it won´t
melt, but you will have a larger voltage drop and thus partly nullifying the
benefit of it.
BR/Göran
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Ching-Ho Cheng on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 7:37 a.m.
The Eurolight bulbs are 80W, and the stock 850 low beam bulbs are 51W. I have been using the Eurolight bulbs (Low Beam Yellow Ion), so far so good. I haven't noticed any heating problems or distortion on reflector, etc. The 850 headlight lens are glass not plastic, therefore, it should be able to withstand a much higher temperature.
I personally wouldn't use the 100W or 110W. They are too bright and could cause the extra heat in the wiring harness. Moreover, I don't want to catch state police attention when driving at night. All the higher wattage bulbs (for High/Low beam) are not approved by DOT anyway.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Paul Elliott on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 8:39 a.m.
I also use the EuroLights in the Blue/Gold Ion finish in both 80W and 100W. Since I dont use the brights much, I've had no problem with heat or draw on either of the bulbs...In addition, with the Lo beams being the DRL and on virtually all the time, my initial concern about it has vanished because there have been no problems at all..
What do you think of the ION effect on these bulbs? He told me that either the Yellow Ion, or the Blue/Gold Ions like I have will actually raise the Brightness of these bulbs by 25% over not treated bulbs of the same strength...When I first ordered them I was curious how coating a bulb can make it brighter! After using them for a while, I doubt that they are any brighter than a regular 80W bulb. When they wear out, I'll replace them with clear bulbs, but will stay with the higher wattage, as I see a good result from doing so with no bad effect.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Ching-Ho Cheng on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 11:16 a.m.
I did notice some extra brightness from the 80W when comparing with the stock 51W low beam bulbs. I have never used a 80W clear bulbs before so I can't say that the coating increase the intensity by 25%.
I think that the 25% increase in brightness meant that when comparing with the stock bulbs (51W or 55W), not comparing with 80W clear bulbs. Don't you think so ?
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Paul Elliott on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 1:12 p.m.
No, if youre speaking of the EuroLights out of Florida sold by a guy who sets up shop on AOL and has a website, then his specific claim for his lights is that the Ion coated bulbs are 25% brighter than the bulbs of the same intensity, but clear! I had this conversation with him on the phone, so I ought to know!
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Ching-Ho Cheng on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 2:13 p.m.
Paul,
Yes, I bought my bulbs from the guy from Florida called Kris. His website was setup on AOL. However, I hadn't talked to him. I sent email to him to order the bulbs.
I think that we need to talk to him again regarding the 25% increase in intensity issue.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Paul Elliott on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 3:30 p.m.
Yep, thats the guy....He's very nice really, but I do doubt his claim...Its largely because of this claim that he can charge more for the 'ion' coated bulbs (your yellow and my blue/gold) than for the non ion coated bulb...If I recall he has a Blue White bulb in the higher power which are Less expensive than ours which he claims are NOT as bright as the clear, and the Clear bulbs in the higher watt are cheaper still.. I dont think there's anything we can do about this except chalk it up to experience... While not seemingly Brighter than clear, I dont think they're much dimmer either, so its not big deal to me..
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Shatz on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 5:35 p.m.
As a 960 owner, I have read this thread with interest.I had upgraded my 86 140 GL with higher watt bulbs once from IPD. They worked well for some time, but when one burned out, I naturally had to replace both.
I'd like to increase the bulbs on my 960, perhaps both the main lights and the fogs, but cannot get into the URL for Eurolights. Is it only available thru AOL?
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Ed Lipe on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 7:59 p.m.
My fellow readers at the BMWMC mailing list have been speaking of lighting lately. For a motorcyclist, lighting is most important. Check out The Osram Site.
Osram/Sylvania Light Site
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Ching-Ho Cheng on
Friday, 20 February 1998, at 7:41 a.m.
Shatz,
The URL for Eurolights is http://www.eurolights.com or
http://members.aol.com/eurolights/home.html.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Mark A Sovereign on
Friday, 20 February 1998, at 7:25 a.m.
Hi all,
I am starting to get confused about what you are calling Eurolights. Are you all actaully talking about the Xenon lights that many manufactures are putting in their cars and are supposed to give 30% increase in light for the normal wattage of 55W as compared to Halegon gas, or 100w Halegons ?
It's not to widespead yet here in the UK but they are becoming more readily seen, normally in combination with a lense as used in the 850 fog front lights to concentrate the beam.
Yesterday i was in Frankfurt, Germany and in the evening i noticed a large amount of new cars especially german built are utilising the Xenon lights.
I have been thinking of using them myself but i dont like the on coming dazzel they cause and in fact when you have passed someone you see in your mirrors.
The 100 watts are harder to come by and are not EEC European Safety approved where as the Xenon are, its the equivalent of your DOT.
Thats an UK view of the current situation.
Mark.
UK-1990 850glt 20v.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Ching-Ho Cheng on
Friday, 20 February 1998, at 7:49 a.m.
Mark,
Xenon light is NOT 30% increase in light when compared with regular 55W bulbs. It consumes less power (about 45W) to produce regular 55W intensity output. It looks brighter than regular bulbs from the human eyes point of view because of the color of the light (White/Blue).
The eurolights we are talking about are ion coated (Blue/White, Yellow, etc) high wattage (80W/100W) output bulbs. It is not Xenon light. So far, I don't think that there is an upgrade kit available in U.S.A. to upgrade the regular Low Beam to Xenon.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Mark A Sovereign on
Friday, 20 February 1998, at 8:59 a.m.
Sorry to be a pain everybody but the ratings for the Xenon bulbs over here in the UK is definately 55w/60w for combo's and 55w standard single units with as claimed by the manufacture here give 30% more light as alreadty mentioned. They also supply coated units for bad waeather conditiions.
sorry to clarify my point again..
mark.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by toddburke on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 1:30 p.m.
i think that the lenses on my '97 855-t5 are some type of high impact plastic. when tapping on them, the sound is more of a klunk than a klink (plastic seems to klunk and glass seems to klink). are they plastic or glass?
thanks,
todd b.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Ching-Ho Cheng on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 2:17 p.m.
Todd,
I am sorry for not knowing which material Volvo used for 97 850 headlight lens. My 95 855 definitely used Glass headlight lens. Maybe Volvo trys to cut manufacturing cost and goes for plastic headlight lens.
Maybe someone in the net will know whether 97 850's headlight lens is glass or plastic.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Vaughan Scott on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 2:57 p.m.
Further datum points and tech suggestions:
I went up from 55W to 100W H3 bulbs in the Hella 550 fogs on my 924 - massive improvement. The lens is a solid, heavy glass, and seems to have no problems whatsoever. I'm awaiting arrival of an H4 upgrade kit with 55/100 H4 bulbs for that car (currently has 7" sealed beam mains), as well as replacement/upgrade 55/100W H5 bulbs for my '91 740. I prefer to go with stock lighting levels on low beams to avoid undue attention.
As for tech, it's relatively easy to reduce both the load on the stock harness and the voltage drop to the lights by adding some additional wiring (12GA, bigger always better here) in parallel with the stock wiring. The only consideration here is to be sure that switches, relays, etc. are still operating within their limits.
Can't wait to get my uprated bulbs!
Vaughan
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by John Acampora on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 7:57 a.m.
I put some higher watt bulbs (55/80) in my 92 944. They made a little difference. They were made in Korea and one of them burned out after 3000 miles of use. These bulbs are low quality and get too hot your system. What you really need are Euro headlight assemblies. Some mentioned you can buy them in Canada. It would be nice to find a good source for them.
I put some Euro (Hella) headlight assemblies in my 87 765T with only 55/60 watt standard bulbs...What a difference!
It the lighting assembly and lens that makes for good lighting not the watts.
I see that Philips has a new Allweather bulb, standard wattage but provides better visability in rain and fog. I believe they are sold in Europe, but have not seen being sold by anyone here.
John
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Paul Elliott on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 8:34 a.m.
Fist off, the lenses on my 854T are glass, so I dont see how they'd melt. Second, I've used these 80/100W bulbs with no problem whatsoever, as have other 850 owners, so I dont see the problem.
Re: Higher wattage bulbs for 850 headlights[ALL/1988] posted by Goran Haijenhjelm on
Thursday, 19 February 1998, at 8:41 a.m.
The glass don´t melt ! They might crack if you stand still with high beams on
for a while and then get icy cold water on the lenses.
I haven´t had this experience myself but someone out there might know
if this could happen.
BR/Göran