slowurroll Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Hey all. Is there anyone who has experience with running 100 watt low beams in their legacy? I have found some on sale and they offer them in 55 or 100 watt. I'm not too familiar with what these cars can handle but would be very interested to know if someone has used them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I3eXa Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 They would probably work for a while, until either the housing or wiring melted. Osram makes a great 65w low beam that is inexpensive and good. Sent from somewhere in Potatoland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTEASER Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 I wouldn't put a 100W bulb in the factory housing with the factory socket and wiring, too much heat. GTEASER's 2012 Legacy GT - Sold GTEASER's 2009 XTeaser - Sold GTEASER's 1992 Legacy SS - Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ255 Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 100w bulbs are not good for any lights that are designed for 55w, I wouldn't ever recommend using them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted December 16, 2015 Author Share Posted December 16, 2015 Thanks for the info guys. That is what I was wondering. I wasn't sure what the stock housings/harnesses could handle or what they were designed for. I assumed the lesser but thought I would check into it. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98legwag Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 I put 100w bulbs in the fog lights on my 98. The plastic lens melted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenva Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I went the motorcycle bulb/overwatt bulb route. Did ceramic plugs and re-wired with relays. Waste of time. They would only last a month or 2 before burning out RIP 96 Legacy 2.2 4EAT lost reverse @ 374,000 miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenva Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Osram makes a great 65w low beam that is inexpensive and good. Nightbreaker Unlimited by Osram RIP 96 Legacy 2.2 4EAT lost reverse @ 374,000 miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I3eXa Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 They would probably work for a while, until either the housing or wiring melted. Osram makes a great 65w low beam that is inexpensive and good. Sent from somewhere in Potatoland Osram makes a great 65w low beam that is inexpensive and good. Nightbreaker Unlimited by Osram Haha. Yep. I already tried telling him this Sent from somewhere in Potatoland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 Osram makes a great 65w low beam that is inexpensive and good. Nightbreaker Unlimited by Osram Thanks. I will look into these. Haha. Yep. I already tried telling him this Sent from somewhere in Potatoland Yup. And I never disregarded that. Just merely stated that I wasn't sure what the stock harnesses could handle. I will likely be looking at those or something similar in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I3eXa Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 Thanks. I will look into these. Yup. And I never disregarded that. Just merely stated that I wasn't sure what the stock harnesses could handle. I will likely be looking at those or something similar in the near future. Yeah no prob. I know. Their website is pretty lame and old but good price nonetheless. Sent from somewhere in Potatoland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 So another question about this. Other than the Osram bulbs mentioned earlier, what would you guys suggest for the brightest output but won't cause problems with the harness or housing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTEASER Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 So another question about this. Other than the Osram bulbs mentioned earlier, what would you guys suggest for the brightest output but won't cause problems with the harness or housing? Read the thread, its already been mentioned and discussed. Last I checked, physics says that 65W is usually brighter than 55W. GTEASER's 2012 Legacy GT - Sold GTEASER's 2009 XTeaser - Sold GTEASER's 1992 Legacy SS - Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 In searching all I am finding are the Osram Off Road lights that are 80w, not 65w. Like these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/OSRAM-H7-Off-Road-Halogen-Bulb-Lamp-Upgraded-to-80W-from-65W-3200K-12V-62261-/181738885756?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368 Would 80w be pushing it? Or does someone have a link to the 65w H7 bulbs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I3eXa Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 In searching all I am finding are the Osram Off Road lights that are 80w, not 65w. Like these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/OSRAM-H7-Off-Road-Halogen-Bulb-Lamp-Upgraded-to-80W-from-65W-3200K-12V-62261-/181738885756?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368 Would 80w be pushing it? Or does someone have a link to the 65w H7 bulbs? don't think anyone has tried the 80w but most everyone that's used the 65w seem pleased. Here's the link: http://store.candlepower.com/osraulhiouh7.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTEASER Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 If you scroll down here to the H7 section, and you can order these bulbs too, there is an explanation that some bulbs are tested at 13.5v instead of 12.0v, which means depending on the test method, the same bulb tested at 12v would be 65W, and tested at 13.5v it would be 80W. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html GTEASER's 2012 Legacy GT - Sold GTEASER's 2009 XTeaser - Sold GTEASER's 1992 Legacy SS - Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98legwag Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Osram makes a great 65w low beam that is inexpensive and good. Nightbreaker Unlimited by Osram The Nightbreaker Unlimited is 55w. I have them in my 09. Its the Osram Rally that is 65w. I am leaning towards those next time I need low beams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dispatch20 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Osram makes a great 65w low beam that is inexpensive and good. Nightbreaker Unlimited by Osram Slightly incorrect. Nightbreaker Unlimited is the 55W overpriced model by OSRAM. These aren't the good ones. The good 65W version is the Off-road Rallye that another member linked to. It's not clear to me if the new '80W' bulbs are any different than the 65W ones they seem to be replacing. I wouldn't be surprised if it was only a change in the cardboard box and label, but identical bulbs. Edit: Oops, 98legwag beat me to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98legwag Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Slightly incorrect. Nightbreaker Unlimited is the 55W overpriced model by OSRAM. These aren't the good ones. The good 65W version is the Off-road Rallye that another member linked to. It's not clear to me if the new '80W' bulbs are any different than the 65W ones they seem to be replacing. I wouldn't be surprised if it was only a change in the cardboard box and label, but identical bulbs. Edit: Oops, 98legwag beat me to it. When I bought the NB Unlimited it was like $55 for the pair. Now they are $30. They are better than the OEM bulbs. But that isn't saying much. I am pleased so far with them. But I think the Rallyes will be much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesuby Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 In searching all I am finding are the Osram Off Road lights that are 80w, not 65w. Like these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/OSRAM-H7-Off-Road-Halogen-Bulb-Lamp-Upgraded-to-80W-from-65W-3200K-12V-62261-/181738885756?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368 Would 80w be pushing it? Or does someone have a link to the 65w H7 bulbs? I think I'll go with Candlepower and avoid Fleabay. Chances are the latter will sell you Chinese knock-offs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 The Nightbreaker Unlimited is 55w. I have them in my 09. Its the Osram Rally that is 65w. I am leaning towards those next time I need low beams. That's what had me confused. I went looking for the NB Unlimited and couldn't find the 65w. Then when searching for the off road rallye bulbs, I could only find the 80w that I mentioned earlier. But the link to candlepower was great. Ordered the 65w last night. I think I'll go with Candlepower and avoid Fleabay. Chances are the latter will sell you Chinese knock-offs. Lol. There is nothing wrong with ebay if you buy from the right sellers. I worked for ebay for 2 1/2 years and see comments like this all the time. I have never encountered a problem buying off ebay when buying from US sellers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dispatch20 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 That's what had me confused. I went looking for the NB Unlimited and couldn't find the 65w. Then when searching for the off road rallye bulbs, I could only find the 80w that I mentioned earlier. But the link to candlepower was great. Ordered the 65w last night. Lol. There is nothing wrong with ebay if you buy from the right sellers. I worked for ebay for 2 1/2 years and see comments like this all the time. I have never encountered a problem buying off ebay when buying from US sellers. My bulbs were failing very prematurely with the night breaker and other high end bulbs. Sometimes they would only last a few months. I took a chance on the $18 EBay 65W Osram Rally bulbs. They appear to be legit despite the seller being in Hong Kong. I know it sounds crazy but the bulbs were bright and have lasted over a year so far and are still bright. Every indication is that they weren't a knockoff, and if they were a knockoff then they work great! On the other hand, I ordered a Lifeproof iPhone case on ebay one time and it was definitely a cheap fake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 My bulbs were failing very prematurely with the night breaker and other high end bulbs. Sometimes they would only last a few months. I took a chance on the $18 EBay 65W Osram Rally bulbs. They appear to be legit despite the seller being in Hong Kong. I know it sounds crazy but the bulbs were bright and have lasted over a year so far and are still bright. Every indication is that they weren't a knockoff, and if they were a knockoff then they work great! On the other hand, I ordered a Lifeproof iPhone case on ebay one time and it was definitely a cheap fake. I'm not saying that people aren't going to list and try and sell fakes. But there is protection in place for that. Considering Osram is a German company, it wouldn't surprise me if they came from out of the country but hey if they are working for you then great! I just got confirmation this afternoon that my bulbs have shipped from candlepower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesuby Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 After a year (or a little less) the unthinkable happened. My 65w Osram Rally light failed. I wish! Upon removal of the plastic cover behind the bulb housing I discover evidence of a slight scorching on the cover and some fragments of brittle black plastic. The connector didn't melt per se, more like it was cooked by high temps and baked. I am reviewing my options: It appears the wiring didn't burn and I am considering crimping a pair of "spade" terminals on the wires in lieu of an OEM connector. I figure the high heat might be dissipated more effectively. Or I am going to call Candlepower in the morning. They told me they have not encountered this issue before. I think Candlepower stocks ceramic connectors which might better handle the heat. Or I might just replace the OEM harness, but that fits the definition of insanity. Anyone know the harness part number (2005 LGT wagon, driver side low beam) and how far back in the body does this harness go? What parts/pieces need to come off to remove the harness. I'll post what Candlepower says about this. 65 watts should not do this to my car! I should also mention the bulb appears to be ok. The light was getting dimmer over the last month (I thought it was the bulb dying) but I'll bet the current going to the bulb was getting lower as the connector was failing/crumbling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fedaykin Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Chop off the old connector and put a new one on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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