Apparently the Philips rallye 100w bulbs are only good for about 5 hours constant use, and then they start to deteriorate, and in the end are actually worse than normal 55w bulbs. Might explain why my 3 or 4 year rallye bulbs aren't quite as bright as before.

Anyone know if anywhere does 130w H3 mains, or maybe another type of 100w bulb that lasts a lot longer?

Is that 5 hours of constant use or 5 hours total use? I've run mine for a couple of hours a few times and they're still as good as ever Can't imagine where you'd want to do a 5 hour drive using them!!!

Chris

Jase, can't see that being a problem, as that surely points to constant use and the heat build up that this entails?

Don't really know what's the longest I've ever used full beam for, not really thought about it before TBH! But don't come across as this prophet of doom as my set have just arrived for the Ibiza

Steve

I meant in terms of a "lifespan" - 5 hours. Seems pretty pathetic for them to start losing their power after this amount of time. I'm still happy enough with mine, but in no way are they as good as when I first got them, and that was second hand a few years ago after Jon had got good use from them too I reckon.

Would like some 130w ones next - Pretty sure the wiring is good enough to provide reliable connectivity for that kind of power demand.

I meant in terms of a "lifespan" - 5 hours. Seems pretty pathetic for them to start losing their power after this amount of time. I'm still happy enough with mine, but in no way are they as good as when I first got them, and that was second hand a few years ago after Jon had got good use from them too I reckon.

Would like some 130w ones next - Pretty sure the wiring is good enough to provide reliable connectivity for that kind of power demand.

Don't know about the wiring, Jason. When I had my Mk 2 Golf GTI, I fitted a BR Motorsport upgraded headlamp loom so that I could install higher powered bulbs. Both the wiring and relays were *much* more robust than the original.

Hi Jason

All bulbs will lose brightness with age. Main beams suffer more as they seldom get hot enough to complete the "halogen cycle". If you pull the bulbs and have a look, you will often see a dark residue on the inside of the glass. You may be able to remove this by running main beam for a half hour to cook the residue off and re-deposit it. Personally, I would just change them if the glass has gone dark.

Bulbs often need freshening up by replacing. I fitted Osram Siverstars around 42,000 miles ago and they have just both popped within a couple of weeks of each other. Good to note that neither bulb had gone dark inside. I only had the local shop to replace in an emergency Saturday evening. They supplied an Elta bulb which as far as I can tell produces similar light to the Silverstar. Not bad at £4.99.

I am spending rather too much on lighting this month as I am waiting for the dual Xenon setup to arrive for the MR2.

Chris

I am spending rather too much on lighting this month as I am waiting for the dual Xenon setup to arrive for the MR2.

Sounds nice Chris - post pics when it's done

Steve

Would like some 130w ones next - Pretty sure the wiring is good enough to provide reliable connectivity for that kind of power demand.

Are you sure the standard wiring can cope with that much current? I'd be careful if I were you - you don't want to end up melting the wiring or causing a fire.

I meant in terms of a "lifespan" - 5 hours. Seems pretty pathetic for them to start losing their power after this amount of time. I'm still happy enough with mine, but in no way are they as good as when I first got them, and that was second hand a few years ago after Jon had got good use from them too I reckon.

So the bulbs are over 3 years old! Sounds like they could do with replacing anyway Mine have covered a shade under 30k miles in a year and a bit and are still as bright as ever The Fabia ones were also in for a year and a bit and covered a similar mileage and as far as I know are still going strong

One thing to watch out for with the 130W bulbs (aside from the wiring and lens issues!) is that there will be a big difference when switching between dipped and main beam. This won't be a problem when switching main beam on, but you'll be plunged into relative darkness when switching it off!

Chris

Might just get a replacement set of 100w bulbs then. £25 odd seems a lot of dosh for 5 hours premium performance though.

£21.51 from Powerbulbs with 10% discount Jase

So it could be worse

You'll have to keep a stopwatch in the car, and report back on bulb performance...

Steve

I had 130/90 h4 bulbs in an Astra Gte a few years ago but the wiring was getting hot even after just a few miles so I took them off and stuck with 100/80 which were fine.

Considering the LPG stuff you've got you'd really want to avoid a fire (IMHO of course )

Just ordered some new ones with a 10% code courtesy of google. There was a code on Briskoda too, but it had expired.

Can't see how they are going to deteriorate significantly?

Fitted 100W to mine @ same time as fitting the xenons.... 100w really does seem dim and as a result have never ever used them!!

Can't see how they are going to deteriorate significantly?

See post above. The buld filament evaporates and deposits itself on the bulb glass, reducing light output. Main beams suffer more as they seldom get up to full working temperature, where a halogen bulb "cleans" itself via the halogen cycle.

See this link:

How does the Halogen Cycle work?

HTH

Chris

I bought Halfords own rally bulbs. They told me that I was not to use them on the road, then very kindly offered to fit them

I have used mine for more than 5 hours (in total rather than constantly) and mine are easily as bright.

I bought Halfords own rally bulbs. They told me that I was not to use them on the road, then very kindly offered to fit them

I have used mine for more than 5 hours (in total rather than constantly) and mine are easily as bright.

Same as I have in mine. Been in 12 months so far and still easily better than the 55w standard items. Having said that, I doubt they have done 5 hours in totoal yet. I think they were about

Some information on bulbs here :-

Bulb test: H4 blue | Product Tests | Car Reviews | Auto Express

AutoExpress tests on H4 bulbs

While we are on the subject of bulbs, anyone had any experience of HIR bulbs as developed by GE ans currently made by Toshiba? The bulbs use a thicker filament, but heat it by reflecting IR back to the filament to achieve a large hot filament.

Chris

Sounds a bit risky fitting these 100w bulbs the increase in current means a big increase in heat in the wiring I would have thought may even possibly cause a fire and then it would be bye bye furby.

i've had 100W bulbs in my octavia for nearly 2 years now without any issues at all:)

Sounds a bit risky fitting these 100w bulbs the increase in current means a big increase in heat in the wiring I would have thought may even possibly cause a fire and then it would be bye bye furby.

I've run 100W bulbs in my last couple of cars (60k miles combined) and used them for periods of up to 2+ hours at a time. Never had a problem and the wiring and headlamp units don't feel significantly hotter than just running the normal bulbs. Choice is yours though, but they get a big thumbs up from me

Chris

Ive got some from a friend in HK 110W's and they've lasted so far without any differences (4000 miles). This is £15 for 3 sets (501, H3's and H7's). So im quite suprised that philips ones die so quick..

-John