slayerfish

Last year I replaced the stock headlight wirng with the harness from Summitt Racing that utilizes relays to power the headlights. With the Silverstars it was definately brighter. 2 months later the right silverstar burns out. I replaced it with the stock bulb which I had saved. 2-3 months later it also burns out. I replaced it with the second stocker I had saved. Now the silver star on the left has burned out. Prior to changing the harness I had never had a headlight burn out. Any ideas? thanx-

ScottN

They are brighter because they are getting a higher voltage.

Bulb life is inversely related to the voltage they are operated at - the higher the voltage, the shorter they live (but the brighter they are while they live). I would imagine it is probably quite a difference at the voltage levels we play with (going from, say, 13V to 14.4V). The bulbs are designed to run off the voltage you will achieve from the harness kit, and you may have simply been used to extended bulb life when they were running below their rated capacity and/or have probably just had bad luck/bulbs were at the end of their life anyway.

I would just replace them as they fail and carry on your way. The only other thing I would do is bump the idle and measure voltage at the battery - if it is more than 14.4 to 14.5 V, you may be pushing too high a voltage through the bulbs. Anything much beyond that range I would expect the bulbs to start failing pretty quickly...

Busboy

You know NOT to touch the glass portion, Right?

bent valves

Here is a link to Hella that states the bulb life is strongly affected by voltage.

http://www.hella.co.nz/?t=103

To achieve maximum life from an automotive bulb there are some important points to consider.
Voltage Rule of thumb-
• 5% overvoltage - half the life
• 5% undervoltage – twice the life
Headlamp bulbs are rated at 13.2 volts. Signal & Marker bulbs are rated at 13.8 volts.

It might make sense to check your battery voltage at high idle. I know that I see more than 14.8 volts in cold weather.

cbtumedic

Make sure when you replace the bulbs you do not touch the glass, the oils from your fingers will cause the bulbs to burn out faster due to the heat of the bulb, also make sure and check all your headlight grounds, ground problems will put more load on system and cause increased bulb failures as well.

slayerfish

Thanx for the info, guys. I will get off my ars and check the voltages. Also I prolly did touch the bulbs but after I had washed hands really good.

hamilton71801

Use nitril gloves when you put them in. I kept burning bulbs and sure enough, I had my greasy fingers all over them. I haven't had one burn out since I've been using the glove trick.