[s-cars] Beware: High wattage bulbs in Euro low beams

[Fred Munro]

There has been some discussion about the merits of using high wattage (i.e.
100, 130 watt) H1 bulbs in the UrS Eurolight projector low beams to increase
light output. Concern has been expressed about potential heat damage to the
plastic reflectors with the higher output bulbs given the confined nature of
the projector reflector.

I just finished replacing a badly damaged lens on my left Eurolight and had
the opportunity to take a close look at the light as I was cleaning out the
thousands of glass fragments. I'm running HIDs in the lows and 100 watt H1s
in the highs. Lo and behold, the 100W H1 bulbs have blistered the reflector
on the top of the 1.5" diameter cylinder around the bulb base. This area has
similar geometry to the reflector around the projector low beam bulb, so I
think it's a pretty good bet that high wattage bulbs will damage the low
beam reflectors - especially considering the amount of time the high beam is
on compared to the always lit low beam. It's not a big deal on the high
beams - the main reflector isn't damaged but it is evident that the bulb is
putting out mucho heat.

Something to think about before you pop in the 130 watt low beam bulbs...

Fred Munro
'94 S4