PIAA Tech's bulb failure theory

[dmiller@iea.com (Doug Miller)]

I've had 2 PIAA 85w H3 bulb failures within 20 hours of use on my A6QW and
after the second one, had a lengthy discussion with their tech.  He feels
that I may be creating a power surge by shutting off the engine before I
turn off the lights. He says that with a lot of accessories on, this "surge
of power" can be overheating the bulbs, and that it happens so fast, it
goes right through the fuse.

Now, I'm not an electrician, but I have my feelings on this and thought I'd
ask if anyone more eminently qualified could shed some light on this
theory.  As an aside, both bulbs failed in the same manner. I use them in
my low beams. Filaments seem OK, but farther down the shaft of the
assembly, there are 2 metal leads soldered to the wires coming out of the
glass envelope (bulb) that somehow burn away and leave a mass of fluffy
crystalline stuff in their place.

What do you think?  TIA

Doug Miller
dmiller@iea.com
97A6Q Wagon, 93 LandCruiser w/diff locks (and well used skidplates), 71
LeMans Sport V8 Convertible. Cannondale Super V 900 Comp.