Frequently burning out 100w H1 bulbs

[gtc]

I am running 100w high and low bulbs in my left H1 headlamp. The lowbeam bulb blows relatively often, at least every other month. Is this a common symptom of running high wattage bulbs? I know that high watt bulbs have a considerably shorter lifespan than normal 65w bulbs, but this seems excessive. It's getting to a point where I'm considering replacing it with an H4.

FWIW, I do have the relay kit installed, and I am using a Euro H4 on the right side of the car, but I can't see why these would have an effect on bulb life.

Thanks,

[boxster03]

wow at 100 bucks a bulb you could make the pmt on a new 911 ea month instead of replacing bulbs. maybe just drive it in the day

[Bamberg96]

Make sure you do not touch the glass of the bulb - the oil on your fingers can cause them to burn out.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I've had illegal 130-watt H4s for five years now with no problem.

[RSTarga]

only thing I can think of, touching the bulb

[David]

How do you guys run these on the streets? I used to run 55/100 bulbs on my motorcycle and the high beam was like a laser. Occasionally a car would flash me on low beam so I'd flash the 100W highbeam and they would limp away quietly.

[Quicksilver]

I'm wondering if the connectors on your H1s are generating heat. Is the connector very firm to connect and uncolored by heat?

I bend the female contacts on my cars so they have extra preload and make sure they are very clean and then use dielectric grease to seal them from the elements. On the cars that I use hi wattage bulbs on I always use a relay with a 12 gauge or better wire. As to the mention of finger prints: I clean the bulbs with alcohol before I insert them and I make sure the inside of the lights remain clean and dry.

As for the wattage in the 911: I run 80/100 "all weather" bulbs that have a slightly yellow tint. It fools the eye into thinking it isn't overly bright.

[DUK]

Is your voltage regulator going bad and sending voltage spikes to them? Just a thought.

[vintage guy]

Make sure your charging system is operating correctly. A small change in voltage has a drastic effect on auto lamp life. A 5% increase in voltage, so about 0.5V in a car, will typically decrease life by about 40%. A 100W lamp, which already has a reduced life, would be the first to go. It is also true that a 5% reduction in voltage willl give a 40% increase in life but of course with reduced output.

[Emission]

I'm running H4 80/100W bulbs with the relay. I got about 20,000 miles/7 years out of them before one low beam gave out. No worries as the replacement bulbs are only $7.05 each.

I'm betting oil (from your hands?) or moisture is getting on the bulb somehow.

- Mike

[Steve@Rennsport]

Good suggestions here,......

Make certain that the brown ground wires are clean and tight. Any loose crimps, spade connectors raise the resistane and lower the voltage, something that halogen bulbs (especially high-wattage ones) do not like and will drastically shorten their lifespan.

I'd also "second" the suggestion about installing larger guage wires and relays. That really improves voltage at the lamp.

Properly installed, these bulbs (not the Korean or Chinese ones) last a long time. My DD has 100/150w H4's that have been in service since 1992.

[gsmith660]

I have had the 100/100 watt H-1 bulbs in my car for > 10 years. 100 bucks a bulb now WOW! Just looked at the bulbs how about 10 bucks a bulb.

[gsmith660]

I have my high output bulbs on a relay setup that pulls the 12 volts straight off the battery but I did notice that the relays get a little warm when running the lights.

[gtc]

Thank you for all the responses. Based on these suggestions, I am thinking the bulb and harness connectors may be the culprit. They are all snug, but I suppose there might be a bit of corrosion inside that I am not seeing. I am always very careful to avoid touching the glass, so I am certain that is not the issue.

Fortunately, the bulbs are ~$6.50 through pelican, not $100. What's most irritating is that my FLAPS' don't carry high-output bulbs.

It is really a shame that the H1 housings aren't made any more. The output and adjustability is so much nicer than the [basically fixed] H4.

[Superman]

I'm curious as to whether super-skookum plugs can be found, and how much they help. Steve?

I've run 55/100's for years with relays and have not had trouble, but before I go to wattages higher than 100, I intend to upgrade the conductors.

[gtc]

There are supposedly ceramic high-temp headlamp connectors, but I have yet to find them locally.
And before everyone screams "Daniel Stern" in unison, yes, I know...

[dshepp806]

Originally Posted by Superman

I'm curious as to whether super-skookum plugs can be found, and how much they help. Steve?

I've run 55/100's for years with relays and have not had trouble, but before I go to wattages higher than 100, I intend to upgrade the conductors.

+1 on that upgrade!!!!!!!

Best,

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

"It is really a shame that the H1 housings aren't made any more. The output and adjustability is so much nicer than the [basically fixed] H4."

Why do you say that? H4s are fully adjustable both horizontally and vertically.

"I'm curious as to whether super-skookum plugs can be found, and how much they help. Steve?"

I don't remember where I got my 130s five or six years ago. A week or two ago I was looking for a backup set to keep on the shelf, and I couldn't find anything stronger than "off road" 100s. Do they make a difference? I have no idea, having never driven my SC with anything else, but they seem to be at least on a par with excellent current-model lighting--maybe not some over-the-top BMW super-Xenon but everything else. And yes, I installed very heavy-gauge wiring and dual relays.

[Canada Kev]

I think those "super skookum plugs" mentioned before were not the bulbs, but rather the sockets for the bulb. Ceramic?

I don't know off the top of my head if the sockets for the H1 lights are the same as the H4s. Something in the back of my mind tells tells me that's the case. If true, you can get ceramic H4 plugs from Daniel Stern (yes, I know...) and here at candlepower.com

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Why would you need ceramic plugs? I think mine are pretty standard phenolic of some sort.