100 watt H3 bulbs OK in factory fogs?

[CDN 2.5i]

One of my fog light bulbs has gone out. I've got some 100 watt bulbs I'd like to use in lieu of the 55 watt factory issue...

 

Has anyone experienced any issues running higher wattage bulbs in their factory fogs?

[DAVES XTOUTBK]

I'd like to know too! I just got an '08 Outback and would love brighter, more effective fogs in the stock location using the stock switch.

 

dave

[Mitch]

I've had them in a couple months. I haven't found any problem.

 

I also ran them in my 98 RS Imp for years w/o any problem.

[CDN 2.5i]

Thanks Mitch - did you run them continuously ever? eg for hour or longer drives etc?

 

My concerns are twofold - temps in the housing itself as well as wiring getting warm etc.

[Mitch]

I understand. That was my concern too.

 

I ran them all the time. Anytime I get in the car my lights are on.

Low beams and Fogs. Never a problem.

 

YMMV

[DAVES XTOUTBK]

Where did you get yours and how easy to swap?

[CDN 2.5i]

Pretty much any auto parts store will carry standard H3 bulbs in 100 watt.

 

55 watt is more common but lots of offroad truck lights used to come with the 100 watt H3s.

[Mitch]

Autozone/Advanced Auto/Pep Boys/Big Lots

[CDN 2.5i]

an update - I ended up going the HID route, 35 watt 4500k DDM HIDs in H3 fitment. They work great.

 

Also, using yellow Lamin-X film from AJW Perf for the color and lens protection.

[DAVES XTOUTBK]

Do HIDs just plug in or do we need to have some electrical work done??

[05 Outback 2.5i]

One of my fog light bulbs has gone out. I've got some 100 watt bulbs I'd like to use in lieu of the 55 watt factory issue...

 

Has anyone experienced any issues running higher wattage bulbs in their factory fogs?

 

I'd generally say that if the lamp housing and lenses are plastic, you are asking for a melt down, if they are glass, the lamp itself will probably be fine. However, I personally wouldn't run a 100W bulb on the factory wiring harness, its asking for trouble in my opinion, but that is just my opinion.

 

I'd like to know too! I just got an '08 Outback and would love brighter, more effective fogs in the stock location using the stock switch.

 

dave

 

The Outback fogs don't use H3 bulbs, they use a 9006 bulb. You could go with an HIR (9012) bulb for more output, but my understanding is that you just get alot of glare since the fog lamp reflector is not the best to begin with..

 

Do HIDs just plug in or do we need to have some electrical work done??

 

HID kits are usually 'plug an play' with the factory harnesses, depending upon the kit, but you will need to mount the HID's ballast and likely modify the dust caps on the back side of the lamps to allow for the HID bulb wiring.

 

For what its worth, I believe the same would apply regarding the usable light output as with the HIR bulb option though..

[TSiWRX]

^ FWIW, I agree, there's more glare (to oncoming) with the HIR/9006 retrofit - I use this on my wife's '09 Forester XT. Watch your aim, though, and you should be fine, but this does, on the flip side, noticeably increase the usability of the factory fogs, at least with the '09 Forester's optics (I don't know if they're different from that of other vehicles).

 

 

---

 

 

For the 100W H3 concern - outahere worked this one out some time ago:

 

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97780&highlight=85w