Back in November, I replaced all my headlight and foglight globes with Philips Power2Night Globes (http://www.lighting.philips.com.au/au/en/Portal?xml=catalogue/auto_range&content_id=182149). I'm quite happy with them - they're legal, supposedly stock wattage, beam seems longer than stock, and they're whiter than stock (but not ricer white).

Unfortunately one of my foglight globes has blown over the past few days. Would it just be a one-off dud unit, or would there be an underlying problem? Would the fact that they're brighter than stock have something to do with it?

They're supposed to be a direct factory replacement, but the fact that it's blown after only a few hours use has me worried. The globes were bloody expensive (RRP of $250 all up - thank goodness I have a mate working there :)) so I don't want to replace them with another set just to have them go a few weeks later :confused:

Did you make sure not to touch the glass when installing? Some times the oil on the glass can cause hot spots on globes and burn them out quickly.

Other than that, they should last just as long, if not longer. I can't imagine MMA bought the highest of quality bulbs compared to your quality replacements.

Did you make sure not to touch the glass when installing?

I did my best to avoid touching it but in retrospect maybe I should have worn gloves or something....


Other than that, they should last just as long, if not longer.

Yeah, I was thinking the same, just wanted some confirmation.... I don't want to learn the expensive way :P

Cheers

Might have just been a dodgy bulb mate, if it lasted that long. Unless there is some voltage spiking issue or something which is unlikely, and will blow standard bulbs anyway, I would say this time its just a dodgy bulb and replace it with the same type. Also see what you can do in regards to returns/warrantly considering their price/life.

Ollie

Well im using those artic blue ones in mine and i find im always changing globes all the time. at least 1 globe a month. i do drive with headlights and fog lights on day and nite..

Well im using those artic blue ones in mine and i find im always changing globes all the time. at least 1 globe a month. i do drive with headlights and fog lights on day and nite..


You should get at least a year or two out of em... that is very strange...

I replaced mine with like $30 ones from repco... that was 8 months ago. still goin strong.

mmmmmm Yeah so, like go figure?:confused:


On another note, i replaced them because my right globe kept dimming... i would hit hight beam and it would go bright again.. And its still doing it with the new globes..

I would assume this is wiring problem, anyone had this problem before.?

ive had cheap $25 bright white globes from supercheap for 2 years, still fine. theyre a nice colour but theyre dull as. doesnt bother me tho cos in the city its bright enough and in the country i just use high beams

... I can't imagine MMA bought the highest of quality bulbs compared to your quality replacements.

When i routine-changed the bulbs from my KJ, the originals were Osrams... not shoddy no-namers by any means :)

i got a set of cheap h4 bulb's for the magna from supercheap there like a blue - purple colour and i have had them for like 4 year's now just changed them from car to car and they still work fine

Read the lighting FAQ in regards to why you shouldn't transfer bulbs from car to car (filament gets all 'crystaline', you get hot and cold spots and lower light output over time), but the reason why you may be getting a short lifetime from bulbs is complicated.

If the inside of the bulb is all black + shiny, then the input voltage is higher than it should be (overheating causes the filament material to boil off and not redeposit on the filament on cooling)

If the inside of the bulb is white, then there has been an air leak or an imperfect gas mixture.

If the side of the bulb is bulged out, then there has been fingerprint contamination (causes a hotspot in the quartz as it absorbs more energy in that location) or exessive voltage.

If the filament has snapped at either end, it was either thermal shock, or mechanical shock.

If the filament has snapped in the middle, it was either end of life or a manufacturing defect.

Cheers
Heath Young

I have used my Diamond Visions for over a year, and is still good. My first set, one of them gave way after 9 months but the other was ok. The current one is going strong

And you are paying way too much for your globes, I just gotten a set of H4 Crystal Visions at $70

Give heathyoung's FAQ a read as it is interesting.

And No I believe a lot of these places DO NOT warrenty the globes even they blow within a week of use. You can try but I know a lot of shops may refuse to change them as they are not the typical cheap globes.

Read the lighting FAQ

If the filament has snapped at either end, it was either thermal shock, or mechanical shock.

If the filament has snapped in the middle, it was either end of life or a manufacturing defect.

You where always good for some knowledge..:)

Im saying mines got the shock issue.. after all i am on 20s and have elastic bands for tyres and GO Kart style Suspension all combined on sydneys roads..:)

But what i find is that they never blow when im driving. I always seem to have a light out once i turn them on again..:)

Cheers
Heath

Another think ive noticed with the 10mm wedge globes for the number plate get a chrome look after a while. they go all silver just looks like some one haschrome dipped them. they still work but are dull.

Any reason for that..??

Hey

I work at a auto elec wholesaler that sells Philips,Osram etc and we generally dont warranty globes either, because you just can tell what people have subjected them too,and bugger me dead but in all my driving years ,nearly ten ,i must have replaced only 4 or 5 bulbs ever in my life,and i run them on relays,which is meant to shorten there life apparently,but im skeptical,i think it actually helps with the hologen cycle or something similar,either im very lucky or they are doing something wrong!,but if they are these expensive globes,you might want to try your luck,but it amazes me how much money people will pay in general for tinted bulbs which will ALWAYS reduce light output compared to a standard clear globe,a decent Philips overwatt bulb like a 80/100w will **** all over these "blue" bulbs everytime for brightness and beam pattern and will only set you back about 10-15 bucks a pop,money well spent for an actual increase in light,and if you run poly lenses ,you wont do better than the Philips X-treme power or vision plus (this ia general rant,not a go at the original poster,he is running decent "clear" globes already

The main cause i see of globe failure is when the regulator fails in the alternator which allows up to 19v to the globes sometimes,this can be intermittant but slowly kills them over time,so i suggest if you are constantly blowing globes,have your alternator checked or buy quality globes,And yes, there is usually a tradeoff when it comes to globes and brightness as you need to overdrive the filament to a degree to produce the extra lumens and even though they mix in exotic gasses like xenon and halogen etc,life of the globe will be reduced by a given amount,but if you want standard brightness with long life you cant look past Philips LL (long Life)

Oh,and heres a tip to extend the life of your foglight globes people,use the prick of a things when its foggy only!!!!! (assuming you use them as "wanker" lights,like the rest of the population!!):rant:

So after reading Heath's post, I thought I'd go outside and examine my globe. I unscrewed it, went to pull it out... hey, the wiring came loose without me having to undo it.

Yes, I plugged it back in, and yes, my foglight works fine. Don't I feel stupid :redface: :roll:

Cheers for the advice tho guys, if my globes die (for serious) in the future, at least I've got something to come back and consult :P

Oh,and heres a tip to extend the life of your foglight globes people,use the prick of a things when its foggy only!!!!! (assuming you use them as "wanker" lights,like the rest of the population!!):rant:

yes i wish the cops around near my place would enforce the law on wanker lights more

So after reading Heath's post, I thought I'd go outside and examine my globe. I unscrewed it, went to pull it out... hey, the wiring came loose without me having to undo it.

Yes, I plugged it back in, and yes, my foglight works fine. Don't I feel stupid :redface: :roll:

Cheers for the advice tho guys, if my globes die (for serious) in the future, at least I've got something to come back and consult :P

Nothing to feel silly about, it happens to other globes as well. side indicators etc.