Before you upgrade your headlight bulb...

[Salty]

Was pretty happy with intial running of a Candlepower Rally Premium 100/55W P43t-38 blue xenon bulb purchased from dealer. The high beam was great. After 3 months and about 7000 miles the low beam burned out - so I bought another thinking it was a fluke. Second bulb lasted just under 3 months and just over 8000 miles. Is this a common occurance? Original bulb was good for 22K and is still good as I used it to replace the last two that burned out. Thoughts, comments, recomendations on a bulb for 100 watt high beam that will last more than 3 months?

Scott LaShier

[Milehog]

Any time you run a hot bulb you need to carry a spare. A bulb with an 80 watt hi-beam will last a lot longer than the 100 watt bulb.

[Salty]

Good info on lower watt lasting longer but does that reference the high beam or the low beam as that is the one I had burn out.

[Fire4Effect]

Originally Posted by Salty

Good info on lower watt lasting longer but does that reference the high beam or the low beam as that is the one I had burn out.

I burned out 3 bulbs (low beams) in 6 months this year before I found that one of the 3 terminals on the female socket was "sloppy." The male terminal was kinda vibrating around in there and you wouldn't see the light flickering or anything, but it was sending over-current into the bulb that would eventually burn it out WAY too soon. On the 3rd bulb I squeezed down the connecters first so that the bulb made a very solid contact when slid into the socket. Problem gone...

[bbrowncods]

Originally Posted by Fire4Effect

I burned out 3 bulbs (low beams) in 6 months this year before I found that one of the 3 terminals on the female socket was "sloppy." The male terminal was kinda vibrating around in there and you wouldn't see the light flickering or anything, but it was sending over-current into the bulb that would eventually burn it out WAY too soon. On the 3rd bulb I squeezed down the connecters first so that the bulb made a very solid contact when slid into the socket. Problem gone...

Great point! you could also use dielectric grease to aid the connection.