When bulbs go bad
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From: Scituate, MA
When bulbs go bad
Recently I noticed that the DRLs were starting to look really sad/tired and the illumination achieved on high was not what I was used to.
I pulled the two 9005 PIAA Xtreme White bulds that have been in there for 2 years now. The DRLs are on all the time and I use alot of back roads and country roads so my highs get a fair amount of playing time.
I guess I got my moneys worth on these bulbs.
Here is what I found. They are not blown, they are just all sooty inside and kinda look pregnant.
They have been replaced with Sylvania Silverstars. Lets see how long they go for at half the price.
steviej
I pulled the two 9005 PIAA Xtreme White bulds that have been in there for 2 years now. The DRLs are on all the time and I use alot of back roads and country roads so my highs get a fair amount of playing time.
I guess I got my moneys worth on these bulbs.
Here is what I found. They are not blown, they are just all sooty inside and kinda look pregnant.
They have been replaced with Sylvania Silverstars. Lets see how long they go for at half the price.
steviej
Last edited by steviej; Nov 20, 2004 at 01:03 PM.
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From: Florida
steviej, that's a pretty interesting outcome for those PIAA Xtreme Whites. Never before have I seen bulbs with tumors LOL 
I've been running PIAA Xtreme White lows in my ES for 18 months, and so far no problems
I've been running PIAA Xtreme White lows in my ES for 18 months, and so far no problems
That soot is basically the tungsten deposit from the filament. The deposit gets really hot and the glass starts to melt and bubble. Once bulbs get that way, toss 'em since they will soon burst. There is nothing more annoying that cleaning shards of glass from inside the headlight housing.
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Originally posted by Canyonero
But why would they get this way only after 2 years? Aren't these supposed to be high quality lights? Isn't that why we are paying almost 4 times as much for?
But why would they get this way only after 2 years? Aren't these supposed to be high quality lights? Isn't that why we are paying almost 4 times as much for?
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I guess the price you pay for brighter, whiter light output. The silverstars are actually advertised as having a shorter life span. It's in the fine print on the packaging. 
Don't get me wrong, I think they are high quality, as this is the proper way to get brighter, whiter light output as opposed to slapping 80W bulbs that will melt the harness and wires. You can always spend a couple hundred $$ more and go HIDs.
Don't get me wrong, I think they are high quality, as this is the proper way to get brighter, whiter light output as opposed to slapping 80W bulbs that will melt the harness and wires. You can always spend a couple hundred $$ more and go HIDs.
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From: Scituate, MA
Originally posted by rominl
high quality that's one thing. higher wattage that's what causes the problem i think
high quality that's one thing. higher wattage that's what causes the problem i think
Originally posted by T0ked
You can always spend a couple hundred $$ more and go HIDs.
You can always spend a couple hundred $$ more and go HIDs.
steviej
Agreed, HIDs wouldn't work for DRLs. Just an example on how to get brighter lights. Although MB is using HIDs as high beams. A reflective shield closes over the bulb to simulate the high beam flash. But the highs are 65W (9005) and its not the wattage causing the deposition. I've had regular 9005 bulbs which last a lot longer then the Silverstars. I just think that to get the whiter, brighter light, the inert gas and materials used are more susceptible to deposition. That black soot is actually metallic on the other side and is metal depositing on the inner glass surface. That metal gets much hotter and causes the glass to soften and bulge. Anyway, expect the same result with the Silverstars.
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