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Philips Xtreme Power bulbs in NA Headlights?

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:40 pm
by li21
Hi all,

Has anyone tried Philips XTreme Power bulbs in an NA?

http://www.powerbulbs.com/product_detail.asp?prod=43

Ive read so many good things about them, but wondering if the frosted type headlamp in an NA6 will be able to benefit from these bulbs?
Or would I be better off buying a clear type lamp housing.

Anyone ?

Philips Xtreme Power bulbs in NA Headlights?

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:47 pm
by Steampunk
If you have OEM sealed beam headlights then you can't replace the bulbs by themselves.

Philips Xtreme Power bulbs in NA Headlights?

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:55 pm
by li21
1red5 wrote:If you have OEM sealed beam headlights then you can't replace the bulbs by themselves.


Hmm.. I heard that before... but I definitely have stock OEM lights (89 NA6) .. ive been able to change the bulbs before.. Im running Philips Blue visions now.

Philips Xtreme Power bulbs in NA Headlights?

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:23 am
by tbro
li21,

I've used these in my work ute as I did a lot of night driving, very bright and clear, but didn't last very long,approx 6 mths at best.

I replaced the ute globes and the Clubman globes with Phillips globes the 2nd up from std and found them very good. Just remember the smaller the lamp the more heat build up = shorter life.

After blue globes I would think a BIC lighter would be an improvement :lol: :lol:

AFAIK all Aust delivered NA's came with H4 headlamps meaning replaceable globes.

Terry

Philips Xtreme Power bulbs in NA Headlights?

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:14 pm
by Mr Morlock
further to what Terry said you can buy locally good quality Philips and Osram H4 with standard wattage but with optimised performance eg +50%. and even +90%. Bursons carry Philips and not sure who is carrying Osram. Shop around for good pricing. The % extra light is a little hyped as improvements may be measured at specific points. Lifespan of bulbs is quoted at various values common including B3 and Tc- this represents when 3% will fail and when 63.2% fail - there is also another value B50 which is average life 50% and that latter is more of interest to retailers. Looking at a catalog a std H4 is rated Tc at 900 hours but an H4 +50% ( ie an optimised product) is rated Tc at 350 hours. I cannot tell you what B50 is. In truth an H4 standard can easily make 1000 hours. The performance of your H4 bulbs deteriorates with time but your eyes tend to compensate. If you replace old bulbs you will see an improvement. If your inserts ( where you put the bulbs) are old and the reflectors are poor it will also effect the light output. Philips and Osram supply to OE and are the best makers in the world and both of these companies have offices in Melb and Sydney and have web sites. But I would warn against higher wattage bulbs - they produce too much heat and ultimately no more light and certainly poor life. Far better to stay with standard wattage and optimised if you are ok with less life.

Philips Xtreme Power bulbs in NA Headlights?

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:46 pm
by bensale
Agree that the Phillips/Osram +50's at the standard wattage are all that you'll ever need. Quite cheap (i paid aprox $40) and available at Burson, Autobarn etc.

It's my understanding that only the imported na6's had sealed headlights, the Aus delivered na6's cars certainally didn't.

Philips Xtreme Power bulbs in NA Headlights?

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:32 pm
by Garry
I'm finding the +50's to be a bit fragile. The +30's I had originally lasted several years, the +50's seem to just barely last 12 months. I guess the +80's would be even more fragile.

Philips Xtreme Power bulbs in NA Headlights?

Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:49 am
by bruce
Happened to me once (and also others) - the low beams simultaneousy died on the original globes. Replaced the globes and they were fine. Never figured it out whether it was an electrical problem (common to other 5s too) or just me bouncing through too many potholes.