SilverStars, EuroLights, X-treme Power & other Halogen Bulbs

Thanks Rick, I decided to try a set, ordered from Summit this afternoon.

IMPORTANT REMINDER

I was just reading a review of PIAA bulbs and how fast they die... Another poster reminded me of the rule that goes back to Bell & Howell projectors and now applies to the post-sealed-beam world of cars: DON'T TOUCH THE BULB WITH ANYTHING BUT GLOVES! At the temperatures these things run at, skin oil or any other contaminant can cause the glass to fracture prematurely... In fact, it is probably a good idea to wash & dry the bulbs before you install them.

On a related note, how can they say this: "51 watt equivalent to 115 watt light... They draw less power than a stock bulb." ?
The same page says that they are still incandescent bulbs - are they using Unobtanium gas?

for a given wattage you can make a halogen incandescent burn brighter in two ways.

One - make sure it gets the fulll rated voltage. Theri brightness drops off faster than you'd expect just below the rating.

Two - you can use different glass in the bulbs that reflects infrared back in and makes the filament glow hotter at the rated voltage. Tends to shorten filament life somewhat though. By the way, reason they are sometmes called "quartz halogen' bulbs is that the glass is almost 100% silica, almost a 'fused silica' made of quartz instead of a soda-ash-lime glass as used in common light bulbs.

Albertj

Quote :

On a related note, how can they say this: "51 watt equivalent to 115 watt light... They draw less power than a stock bulb." ?
The same page says that they are still incandescent bulbs - are they using Unobtanium gas?

This is why I use the Eurolights. They are true 80W bulbs, so there's not doubt you are getting more output. How much I'm not sure, but it was noticeable compared to SilverStar, imo.

I'll probably get some EuroLights and some xenon high beams for my car. The stock brights are very yellow and I'd rather have it be nice and white.

Eldo wrote:

I was just reading a review of PIAA bulbs and how fast they die...

Where was the write-up on the PIAA's. I'd be interested in reading it and maybe offering some input based on my experience with them.

Rickw wrote:

Eldo wrote:

I was just reading a review of PIAA bulbs and how fast they die...

Where was the write-up on the PIAA's. I'd be interested in reading it and maybe offering some input based on my experience with them.

http://www.miata.net/products/lights/piaa.html

IBx1 wrote:

I'll probably get some EuroLights and some xenon high beams for my car. The stock brights are very yellow and I'd rather have it be nice and white.

Oh you kids, you don't know what yellow headlights are!!

I reminds me of some people on this board who think that our Rivieras are 'yachts' that 'wallow. Go drive a '77 then come talk to me...
When halogens came out in the early 80's, we thought they were incredibly bright & white. In fact, get this: on my '81 Cadillac, they were only installed on the high beams, and even then, only if the Guidematic automatic dimmer was ordered...
Gotta' be careful with all that power!

I run PIAA's in almost all my vehicles. They are awsome thats about all that can be said for them.

Well shit... When I went out to put my new MPS pulley on, the left headlight had moisture in it! If I have to replace the bloody housing, I may as well put new bulbs in, too...

Has anyone tried the "non-blue" PIAA Intense White?

Thats what I have they are awsome. Mine are rated @ 4000 Kelvin. I wish these cars were not a 4 bulb set up because changing all of them gets kinda pricey but they are worth the money, specailly when you live in moose country.

Thanks for the quick answer!
How long have they lasted you?

I've had the Xtreme White's (4,000K) in my car for a little over 2 years now and no problems.
I remember putting them in before it got cold out, so it's definitely over 2 years cause it's 6 degree's right now.

AA wrote:

Quote :

On a related note, how can they say this: "51 watt equivalent to 115 watt light... They draw less power than a stock bulb." ?
The same page says that they are still incandescent bulbs - are they using Unobtanium gas?

This is why I use the Eurolights. They are true 80W bulbs, so there's not doubt you are getting more output. How much I'm not sure, but it was noticeable compared to SilverStar, imo.

I agree, there was a defined light output improvement over the silverstars.

Ordered PIAA extreme white plus on Thursday, got 'em this morning already!

Dave,
Let me know how you like them and how well they perform in your neck of the woods.

To save a few bucks I ordered the Eurolights or whatever they are called last week for my High Beams.
Haven't received them yet.
If I don't get a good bright white light from them to augment my Low Beams, then I'll order the PIAA's for the High Beams.
I can always put the Eurolights on the G/F's car.
I really like the light the PIAA"s produce.

Not sure when I'll get them swapped, and I want to take before/after pics for comparison too. I just got the low beams, I don't remember the last time I used the highs, so had no real reason to spend the extra cash this time of the year.

deekster_caddy wrote:

AA wrote:

Quote :

On a related note, how can they say this: "51 watt equivalent to 115 watt light... They draw less power than a stock bulb." ?
The same page says that they are still incandescent bulbs - are they using Unobtanium gas?

This is why I use the Eurolights. They are true 80W bulbs, so there's not doubt you are getting more output. How much I'm not sure, but it was noticeable compared to SilverStar, imo.

I agree, there was a defined light output improvement over the silverstars.

The reason they say they are using 51 watt in equivalent to 115 watts is because of the way they manipulate the light. It will cause permanent damage to your socket if you put in a bulb that draws to much power, plus extra draw on your alt, plus its against the law. Thats why they change the spectrum of the light and manipulate it to mimic that of a larger wattage bulb, thats how they get around the wattage issue. Nothing like a little R&D to come up with a good product, and PIAA has done just that. Same principle as buying SLP headerz as opposed to rip offs, there is a reason they cost more and it isn't just cuz they say SLP, or PIAA on them.

It may damage the sockets on some cars, but the Riviera has shown to run the 80W bulbs for 3 years straight (in my case and in at least one other) with no issues. The lenses have no appearance of damage to the reflectors.

Our alternators are rated 140 amps. The bulbs pull 13.3 amps together when on.

My OEM battery is 12 years old. It's not 100%, but still starts the car at 15ºF.

No one has ever flipped their lights at me on the road, and I've never been pulled over for them being too bright, because they're just not as bright as HIDs, although I believe they are brighter than any 51 Watt halogen bulb, regardless of the design. They might be able to design a bulb that's a little brighter than other 50W bulbs, but they aren't going to approach what an 80W bulb does. That's a lot of ground to cover, imo.

I don't respect the PIAA brand as I do SLP headers. The first review I read of the PIAAs said they were not as bright as SilverStars, which were only mediocre for the money. Eurolights has been around for years.

Like the 80W Eurolights, SLP headers are illegal in most of the 50 states, because of stupid laws that aren't well thought out. I'm not hurting anyone with either modification.

I'll be honest I haven't read any reviews on Silverstars but I have seen many a happy customers walk in and out with PIAA light bulbs. No reviews necessary as far as I am concerned. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for, just basing that on personal experiences. I wasn't talking about just using them solely in the Riv. But the question was asked, how they could say 51W with the same output as 115W? I was simply answering the question, which I gave him the correct answer to the qusetion.

Now if only SLP made headers for a Series I I wouldn't have to think about an engine swap.

I guess it could be difficult to convince people of the Quality and Durability of the PIAA's until they have tried them.
With the previous link showing the people disappointed in the reliability, that can be difficult.
All I can say is I have never had a premature failure of a PIAA bulb. Hell look at all the Baja Machine's, they are all lit up with PIAA"s and go through extreme duty in the desert.
I also consider the front and rear of an old Harley Extreme Duty due to excessive vibration. You have to loctite and safety wire everything down on these bikes, especially on the front and rear where the vibration emanates to.
I could never keep an 1157 taillight bulb working for more than a month, and neither could anyone else. just the way it is. Always carry spare bulbs and check at every stop for a frazzled filament or else get a moving violation, as I have, for a stinking bulb out.
I have now, due the magic of modern science, installed an LED bulb in the back and a PIAA in the front with no failure yet and much better visibility and more conspicuous which is a good thing while on a bike.

Well, I got my 80W Eurolights and...well they're not blue at all. Not a hint. They're very white in the light they project, but with a hint of yellow in the housing, unfortunately. I'll get their blue ones when these go.

My 55W high beam replacements look great, and I got them for $5 on Amazon. Xtec Japan is the brand, and in the housing they look like a blueish yellow but project a white light with a hint of blue. Both highs and lows are very bright and easy to see with, and they both have a similar blue coating on the bulb.

80W:











55W:









Both:

Did I buy the wrong bulbs for my High Beams.?
Haven't installed them yet but they are Eurolight's mentioned on here, are 9005's, but the box is marked 100 watts.
Is that too hot for our housings and wiring.????

100W sounds like it will make the light very hot(reflector and the plastic glass on it). seen one some cars when people have installed 100W's the lights have started to melt cos of the heat they make.

Actually, I'm starting to notice the crispness of these lights. I'll be fine with these and not more blue looking ones.

Rickw wrote:

Did I buy the wrong bulbs for my High Beams.?
Haven't installed them yet but they are Eurolight's mentioned on here, are 9005's, but the box is marked 100 watts.
Is that too hot for our housings and wiring.????

So to break it down, which bulbs do I need for the lows and the highs? I wanna get the euro lights. I was going to get the silverstars but it sounds like all you guys that have had the silverstars and switched to the Euros are liking them. Anyone disagree?