A Wide Sellection of H3 Bulbs

[TomoHawk]

I have a new pair of fog lamps to install on the Zed, and one bulb wasn't working, so I looked around to see what is available:  55W Halogen, 80W Halogen, Cree LED, etc.,

 

I think I would like to get some halogen, so the light doesn't blind oncoming traffic, and it should look about normal to me.  But, I read about a large variety of bulbs! 

 

Instead of brighter 80W bulbs, there were several  suggestions to use PIAA 55W bulbs, as they are supposed to be as bright as generic 80W bulbs?

 

eBay and Amazon had some Cree LED bulbs listed, but I have no experience using those for headlamps or fog lamps.

 

If the PIAA bulbs are truly brighter than generic, for the same power consumption, then I think I would select those, even though they are  a few dollars more than generic H3 bulbs.

 

Discussion?

 

thxZ

[Chickenman]

Don't waste your money on the PIA bulbs or the like that advertise brighter lights with lower power consumption. It's all snake oil advertising.  You cannot alter Physics.  You can however, trick the eye into thinking something is brighter... when in reality, it actually isn't.

 

Have a good read of the Technical sections at Daniel Stern Lighting. He debunks a lot of the " Lighting Myth's " out there. Then buy some good quality H3 Narva, Osram or Flosser bulbs from him.

 

Here's a couple of good articles to start off with, but I would recommend reading all of his Tech articles. Particularly those concerning Blue Tinted bulbs and " Super-White " bulbs.

 

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/bulbs.html

 

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/good/good.html

Edited October 16, 2015 by Chickenman

[TomoHawk]

While looking for (an H3 bulb) at the AP store, I noticed all those Sylvania bulbs with the blue tint, that cost $50-plus dollars. I  just said NO to those and got a cheap one.  I just need to get the lamps mounted, wired, and tested.  I can decide later if I need anything special, and I have all winter to get informed, but I'd thought Is start here-  you get can some straight, plain-English poop here.

 

I keep thinking, with the way companies keep tabs on their competition, if PIAA has a bulb that's bright or more efficient, then all the other suppliers will have it too, so there's no rush or reason to get one today.

 

 

In stead of the white or tinted bulbs, I'd rather change them every Spring or Summer.  They get dim over time, so a fresh bulb annually or bi-annually may be better for my needs than white or tinted light.  Besides,  I always complain about the over-bright lights other vehicles have.

Edited October 16, 2015 by TomoHawk

[TomoHawk]

So after reading some of those Sterne Documents, I would conclude  that if you want more light or brighter bulbs, buy bulbs with more watts!  Maybe one day there will  be headlamps that "light up" the nighttime roadway as if it was midday in the summer, but you'll probably need special glasses too-  something like the infrared lighting from a SciFi movie.

 

In the meantime, keep your alternator or generator working well, clean our connections and switches, and use good wiring.

[Chickenman]

You should see what 100 watt Super Oscars do!! I once made a Train dim his high beams from 2 miles away with my 510 Rally car!!

 

Your last sentence is the big key. GL.

[Chickenman]

OEM LED bulbs are interesting and will probably going to be the way to go, but the ones for cars are still in their infancy. I'd give them a generation or two to develop. Plus there is a big difference in quality. There's some pretty good stuff and some utter crappolla on the market right now. And prices will drop every year.

 

Complete LED H/Lamp conversions are OK.  Halogen bulb to LED bulb conversions are a different matter. Same problem with LED bulb conversions as HID bulb conversions. The position of the filament ( or diode ) has to exactly match the original position and axis of the halogen bulb. Unfortunately this does not happen. The result being that you get horrible light scatter and this is what blinds other drivers and light up the tops of trees. Focal point gets changed.

 

The lamp reflector has to be specifically designed for each type of bulb. Halogen, HID or LED. You can't switch them back and forth. Well you can... and blind other drivers. #1 reason why the sale of cheap HID bulb conversions are now banned in most parts of the world.

[TomoHawk]

You can ban the stuff, but people will still use it, thinking they are making driving "safer."  You see it every night when you drive a busy two-lane suburban road.  I have known some people who say you should use the "off-road use only" stuff because it will light the road better, because it was made for off-road use.

 

I had considered the LED bulbs, but after reading the critique of HID conversion bulbs, I agree that you most likely can't directly swap in an LED bulb for something like a headlamp or fog lamp, because you really can't be sure that the light will be directed in the right place.  For other uses, like the gauges, tail lamps, dome lamps, flashlights, etc., LED bulbs can provide satisfactory illumination.

 

Since they claim the LED bulbs will last for 100,000 hours, I'd say the American manufacturers will get upset and redesign them to fail sooner, like today's filament bulbs, so you will need to buy them more often, so in that way, things will stay about the same. 

 

That is, unless the entire automotive parts and supply marketing system will accept selling only 1/10 the amount of bulbs they were selling.

 

I think I will get one or two H3 LED bulbs, to use as  lighting for a work light, emergencies, parties, or off-road fun.

Edited October 17, 2015 by TomoHawk