effect of higher wattage head lamps?

[swbunge]

I wanted to get better light for night time driving and see that higher wattage halogen bulbs are available. Has anyone tried wattage higher than the standard (55/65) and what have been the result? My concern was possibly too much heat causing warpage or melting of the lamp module. Also would the additional draw be too much for the system? Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

[Stephen Soulsby]

I wanted to get better light for night time driving and see that higher wattage halogen bulbs are available. Has anyone tried wattage higher than the standard (55/65) and what have been the result? My concern was possibly too much heat causing warpage or melting of the lamp module. Also would the additional draw be too much for the system? Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

Welcome to the board! Many of us here are running Sylvania Silverstar headlights and driving lights. They are slightly higher wattage and effectively put more light and whiter light on the ground. They're pricey (about $40/pair), but worth every penny. Available at most auto parts stores and Wal-Mart (9007 for the headlight and H1 for the driving lights) Stay away from those Euro Xenon 100 watt ricer bulbs, they're not legal, and they put out less light due to the extreme dark tint on the bulb.

[merc]

Stay away from this blub. Read the link below.


http://www.mercurymarauder.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8493&highlight=Street+glow :hide:

[jgc61sr2002]

swbunge - Welcome to the MM site. The silverstars IMO seem to be the most popular to members of this site.

[swbunge]

Thanks much for the input.




Welcome to the board! Many of us here are running Sylvania Silverstar headlights and driving lights. They are slightly higher wattage and effectively put more light and whiter light on the ground. They're pricey (about $40/pair), but worth every penny. Available at most auto parts stores and Wal-Mart (9007 for the headlight and H1 for the driving lights) Stay away from those Euro Xenon 100 watt ricer bulbs, they're not legal, and they put out less light due to the extreme dark tint on the bulb.

[Marauderjack]

Are the fog light bulbs Silver Star "H-1's" or "H-1A's"?? :confused:

I almost bought a set at Pep Boys but wasn't sure.

I notice the "yellow" of the fog lights compared to the Silver Star headlights!! :o

Marauderjack :cool4:

[Krytin]

H-1 is the replacement for fog lights - haven't seen H-1A?

[CRUZTAKER]

I used to run 80/100 zenon on the headlamps. After a year or so I melted the left side harness. I now run 55/80 zenons and have had no problems

I have run 100 zenons in the fog lights since day one without any problems. I also removed the metal diffuser upon installation to throw more light forward.

[TechHeavy]

Is anyone here running the "blue" lamps?

Tech

[CRUZTAKER]

I now run 55/80 zenons....
Zenons are blue.

[Joe Walsh]

I tried the Sylvania 'Silverstars' and was not really all that impressed. Yes the light was 'bluer' but I didn't think it was that much brighter. I promptly returned them for a full credit and bought a set of PIAA bulbs.
BIG DIFFERENCE...brighter and much whiter light. I've had the PIAAs in for almost two years and I love them. No problems with excessive amp draw or excessive heat behind headlight lens. (only problem is that they are NOT cheap; @$70 pair!)

[hitchhiker]

I tried the Sylvania 'Silverstars' and was not really all that impressed. Yes the light was 'bluer' but I didn't think it was that much brighter. I promptly returned them for a full credit and bought a set of PIAA bulbs.
BIG DIFFERENCE...brighter and much whiter light. I've had the PIAAs in for almost two years and I love them. No problems with excessive amp draw or excessive heat behind headlight lens. (only problem is that they are NOT cheap; @$70 pair!)

Any specific info on those PIAA bulbs?

Thanks,

David

[TechHeavy]

Zenons are blue.
D'oh! :eek:

Thanks.

[Joe Walsh]

MM headlights are #9007 (dual high/low beam bulb). PIAA part #19617 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs (two pack). They have the amp draw of a 65/55w bulb, but the light output of a 120/110w bulb. I did this test: I put in one side's bulb then turned the lights on at night to compare.....WOW!... BIG DIFFERENCE.
www.piaa.com

[Patrick]

I would still like to replace with my old mark VIII headlights.....

[CRUZTAKER]

I was never impressed with the silverstars either, and promptly returned mine as well.

Anything producing a truley snow white bluish light is best for my eyes. The yellow, and off yellow spectrums just do not help with my aging astigmatism.
.

We will be hard pressed to convince the masses that use silverstars that the light emitted from these bulbs is indeed off white more yellow than not. But that's OK, as we all have different needs and likings.

I will reiterate that the ZENON bulbs are not just for ricers, and the association and implication that only kids and ricers use them. The ZENON bulb produces the whitest light possible regardless of wattage.

[Joe Walsh]

I was never impressed with the silverstars either, and promptly returned mine as well.

Anything producing a truley snow white bluish light is best for my eyes. The yellow, and off yellow spectrums just do not help with my aging astigmatism.
.

We will be hard pressed to convince the masses that use silverstars that the light emitted from these bulbs is indeed off white more yellow than not. But that's OK, as we all have different needs and likings.

I will reiterate that the ZENON bulbs are not just for ricers, and the association and implication that only kids and ricers use them. The ZENON bulb produces the whitest light possible regardless of wattage.


Barry, You definitely need Zenon bulbs because your MM only has ONE headlight!! :D :lol:

[Patrick]

Barry, You definitely need Zenon bulbs because your MM only has ONE headlight!! :D :lol:

It couldnt stay on at Mach 3!!!!!!!!!!!

[fastblackmerc]

FYI....

In this Sunday's (10/31) newspaper circulars, most FLAPS had SilverStars on sale for $27.00 or $29.00 with a $5.00 rebate.



:P

[Marauder]

MM headlights are #9007 (dual high/low beam bulb). PIAA part #19617 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs (two pack). They have the amp draw of a 65/55w bulb, but the light output of a 120/110w bulb. I did this test: I put in one side's bulb then turned the lights on at night to compare.....WOW!... BIG DIFFERENCE.
www.piaa.com

Hmm...I'm debating on changing out my silver stars. My H1 silver stars are awesome and don't need to change them but the 9007's could use the better light output.

I never noticed the 9007s brighter than stock...only a bit whiter. I wanted something really white and brighter. I wanted PIAAs but the price is discouraging.

[RF Overlord]

They have the amp draw of a 65/55w bulb, but the light output of a 120/110w bulb.

The only issue with bulbs of this type (not faulting PIAA specifically) is much shorter life...the SilverStars are a nice compromise between light output and operating/replacement cost.

[CRUZTAKER]

RF is correct, and I failed to add that fact.

The ZENONS, as well as many other HO bulbs have a shorter life span.

I am fortunate to have found a vendor with prices as low as $9 per bulb, and for me, that helps offset the shorter life span.

[Joe Walsh]

RF, You are correct about a 'possible' shorter life. I say 'possible' because I have installed PIAAs in other cars I've owned and I've had no problem with them nor my MM.
I did lose two PIAAs in rapid succession in one particular car I once owned and could never figure out why they went so quick.
P.S. DON'T BUY "STREET GLOW" bulbs...they last a couple of months...MAX!
Thank goodness PIAA now makes a 'H1' fog light bulb!

[RF Overlord]

P.S. DON'T BUY "STREET GLOW" bulbs...they last a couple of months...MAX!

StreetGlow bulbs are only for ricers, anyroad... :hotrice:

[the_pack_rat]

I run Silverstars in my TC & MM ... & have NO complaints.

Eric

[Cobra25]

I run the Silver stars on The headlamps & Fogs. If you wish to buy them and can't find them for some reason you can call Sylvania at 1-800-729-3777 or 1-317-867-6000 and order them sent to your home.

[Embassy]

Another option is to upgrade the headlamp wiring. The OEM wiring is a very thin gauge and the loss of power from the battery to the headlamps is significant.

Several members on the Crown Vic forums have either made their own relay kit or have purchased Painless Wiring's relay kit. The part number is PRF-30816 at Summit.

Metroplex has a write-up on his site:

http://www.redpulsar.us/~coldfusion/relay2.html (http://www.redpulsar.us/~coldfusion/relay2.html)