Expert: Sean Halliday - 7/4/2006

Question
After a couple of years of trouble-free driving my H3C dip headlights blew. I replaced them and have been replacing ever since (average bulb life is now about 2-3 months).

In an effort to help solve this bulb blowing problem I followed the steps here http://www.mx6.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-115008.html to allow the H3C fixture to take H3 bulbs (and even if they aren't more reliable, here H3 bulbs cost less...).

I just replaced the bulbs with 100W/12V H3's and they work - only the light output is terrible. Placing 55W/12V H3C's back in significantly improved the light output. This is obviously the opposite of what would normally be expected.

Do you have any ideas as to the cause of the more powerful bulbs being so dim?

Thanks

Answer
yes,ive seen this on mercedes as well,only the dealer bulbs seem to work because theyre high intensity low wattage,also they have a tendency to blow a lot also,for no reason.its rare that both dip beams go at the same time ,did you get your regulator tested?..voltage output?..especially on the headlights.after market bulbs just dont seem to work the same so youre stuck with the more expensive ones,as for the more powerful bulbs being dim its to do with your regulator ,,,current flow .