Re: re I need brighter fog lights

[DoctrJay19@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/12/99 9:18:54 AM Pacific Standard Time,
kirby.a.smith@lmco.com writes:

<< Derick Farfan <bg18461@binghamton.edu> wrote:
 -------------------------------------
 In my 88 90, i feel that the stock fog's or not up to par.  Until i can
 afford euro-spec lights, i would like to have brighter fog lights.
 Should i add a relay, increase bulb wattage, or would this generate too
 much heat for the stock enclosure.  Any recommendations would be
 appreciated.
 ------------------------------------------
 Have you examined them?  Causes of low output include sandblasting of the
 exterior lens, film deposits on the inside of the exterior lens and/or the
 interior condensing lens, and failure of the reflective surface next to the
 lamp.  Depending on how you value your time you can clean up some of this,
 including partially polishing out the finer sandblasting.  I doubt the
 reflector can be salvaged if it has failed.   So far as I know you can buy
 separately the exterior lens separately, the whole assembly, the lamp, and a
 kit of screws, etc.  Perhaps the guts can be ordered, but I haven't tried
 it.
 
 I doubt that you can find a brighter lamp that will fit in the assembly.
 They seem to be a special purpose design, and I believe they are already
 tungsten halogen.  You could run them hotter with higher voltage and shorter
 life, but a higher output bulb at standard voltage would have a different
 filament size, and likely degrade the pattern.  It might also slag the
 plastic reflector.
 
                 .... Kirby   (Kirby A. Smith)
                               2 x 1988 90q
                           New Hampshire USA
  >>

I had the same problem in my 89' Audi 200.  The output was just POOR!  Plain
and simple.  POOR!  So I did what the average Joe would do.  Get a higher
wattage bulb.  Well.....while walking though the store of Ultra Speed(a local
motorsport shop), I came across high watt bulbs.  The standard 55/65, the
65/80 and the 85/110 piaa(i think).  Well...I thought."Hmm...if I'm going to
get something, might as well get the best."  The results were outstanding.  I
can ACTUALLY SEE!  Time went by and I noticed the lights not being as bright
as they use to be.  I went and check to see what was up and to my surprise the
connector for the bulb was burnt to a CRISP!  I nearly shattered the
connector.  I replaced the connector with a aftermarket connector at Al's Auto
supply for 3 bucks each and kept the 85/110 and its been working fine since.
So my advise to you is to get a higher wattage buld but dont' over do it like
me.  

Jason
Audi 200t 10v (FWD)-> I'm deprived, yes I know 
don't remind me Howard.  :)