Does anybody know if there is a way to tell if your headlights (Civic projectors in this case) can handle overwattage bulbs in the high beam lamp? Say 100 watt instead of the 55 watt they came with? Any markings on the casings, lamp holder, etc, etc? Seems like it would be ok as the projector lights are the low beams but if anyone has any experience with this any feedback would be appreciated.
I'm not worried about the wiring harness as I would modify it through a relay with a new power supply from the fuse box.
Obviously I don't want to melt anything so am reluctant to just go down the suck it and see path.
I see this mentioned in the HID retrofit thread but thought this might be better asked in a new one.
Over wattage bulbs
Over wattage bulbs
“You’ll find, that the only thing you can do easily is be wrong, and that’s hardly worth the effort.”
Re: Over wattage bulbs
You need:
-Glass/Quarts lenses (imagine a drop of water on superheated lenses) NO plastic.
-Magnesium or aluminum housings
-Ceramic base of the bulb, otherwise your wires will go in smoke.
With an H1 bulb there are some that are marginally overwattage. I think I recall some in 70w-90w range. But then there are 130w rallye monsters. Remember that the more wattage, the more heat and the shorter life.
I have my Hella H9 high-beams and they heat up so much that you can cook above them. They are only 65W standard Osram bulb.
-Glass/Quarts lenses (imagine a drop of water on superheated lenses) NO plastic.
-Magnesium or aluminum housings
-Ceramic base of the bulb, otherwise your wires will go in smoke.
With an H1 bulb there are some that are marginally overwattage. I think I recall some in 70w-90w range. But then there are 130w rallye monsters. Remember that the more wattage, the more heat and the shorter life.
I have my Hella H9 high-beams and they heat up so much that you can cook above them. They are only 65W standard Osram bulb.
Re: Over wattage bulbs
Yea I'll play it safe and stick with 55 watt and look for some +50s.
Thanks for the response.
Thanks for the response.
“You’ll find, that the only thing you can do easily is be wrong, and that’s hardly worth the effort.”
Re: Over wattage bulbs
You could try 65w or 70w. That should not make too much of a difference. The lens may be fine, it gets it's cooling and is polycarbonate. It's the housing and the reflector that I would be concerned with. Too much heat and it might darken the chrome. I am not sure of the J-spec lights, but DOT ones have a pretty heat resistant housing made of a ceramic plastic that should take 65w easy.
You at least want to give those 55w +50's full 14volt though a harness and see how you like it first. But the more you get, the more you want.
You at least want to give those 55w +50's full 14volt though a harness and see how you like it first. But the more you get, the more you want.
Re: Over wattage bulbs
How true is that!But the more you get, the more you want.
I'll see whats available but to be honest I haven't seen anything out here but 55 watt and 100 watt in H3 bulbs (Narva make a 70 watt H1).
I mentioned in another thread that the civic projectors had H1 bulbs. I'll go back and edit that post because they're actually H3.
Thanks for the advice, I'll see what I can find and maybe give a couple of different types a go.
“You’ll find, that the only thing you can do easily is be wrong, and that’s hardly worth the effort.”
Re: Over wattage bulbs
Eewh, H3 is a horrible bulb. It is really a fog light bulb. I was kind of surprised that Civic projectors had H1. Most cheap aftermarket lights have H3 based projectors. Now it makes sense.
Re: Over wattage bulbs
So I have Higher wattage aftermarket bulbs in all our cars(55/95 instead of 35/55) they work about twice as good as stock with no horrible side effects-wires melting, glass cracking etc. however, I found an awesome set of foglights with an H1 bulb that are just as bright as most aftermarket "high visibility " lights, ie" aircraft landing lights, hid conversions etc. these babies are on my gf's car and about every second car or so gives us the old headlight flash when we use them at night. They are about 3" big and We use them more often than the high beams. Couldn't tell you any more info on them other than they are "big blues" imported from Japan. Cost=$50, a really good investment
Re: Over wattage bulbs
Excellent find. H1 are poewrful bulbs 
Though, I would suggest reaiming the lights or consider having them on only with the high beams if it's bugging other drivers.
my 2 pennies,
Eugene
Though, I would suggest reaiming the lights or consider having them on only with the high beams if it's bugging other drivers.
my 2 pennies,
Eugene
Re: Over wattage bulbs
Fog lights as high beams that is kinda funny.... why would you want to have really bright fogs?
Re: Over wattage bulbs
true that.
the way i perceived it when i was reading the paragraph i was thinking "fog light" as a general marketing misnomer for any aux. lights and wasn't thinking of fog applications...
yeah they are indeed fogs and are pointed in a fashion that other drivers are complaining then definitely double check your aiming,
stretching the same two pennies,
cheers,
E
the way i perceived it when i was reading the paragraph i was thinking "fog light" as a general marketing misnomer for any aux. lights and wasn't thinking of fog applications...
yeah they are indeed fogs and are pointed in a fashion that other drivers are complaining then definitely double check your aiming,
stretching the same two pennies,
cheers,
E
Re: Over wattage bulbs
Surprisingly, because of the color projected, they work incredibly well in dense fog. they are aimed correctly, they are just bright. the top of the beamprojected can just barely be seen over the hood when I am sitting in the car, and I ain't no short guy. prehaps one day some of you will get the chance to see these babies in action. They are very impressive.....
Re: Over wattage bulbs
definitely take some pics if you get a chance 