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Car Forum / BMW Cars / February 2008E34 headlamp - bulbs keep blowing up !!
Hi all, need help, my E34 headlamp bulbs have been so often now been burning off.I've upgraded from 55W to 100W, I've been told it's either an overcharging alternator or Insufficient earthing. Could it it be ? or is there a problem with the fusible links ? Any advice appreciated. Cheers Dom You are not touching the glass on the bulb during assembly, are you? And, the conversion from 55w to 100w is probably problematic. > Hi all, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Cheers > Dom > You are not touching the glass on the bulb during assembly, are you? > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > - Show quoted text - HI jeff, NO did not touch the bulbs.used gloves or a cotton cloth to hold it. cheers Dom HI jeff, NO did not touch the bulbs.used gloves or a cotton cloth to hold it. cheers Dom Do not touch the glass at all. Ever. Handle new lamps by the base, and avoid touching the glass at all. > Handle new lamps by the base, and avoid touching the glass at all. But if like most 100W bulbs they were bought from a well known internet auction site they'll have been mauled by numerous sets of hands on their way from Asia. Everyone I know (total count - Several) that have bought bulbs from a well known internet auction site have found that they blow within a week. It become a joke now. Al. >> Handle new lamps by the base, and avoid touching the glass at all. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >Al. The other thing to consider is that these bulbs give off a considerable amount of UV radiation and this will make any acrylic (Plexiglas) go yellow. Now my old E38 has glass on the front but the lenses were plastic and I have seen a few that have gone yellow and cracked on cars that have had 100W and even 80W bulbs fitted for any length of time. Just a thought if you're going to be stupid!  SignatureSir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK > > Handle new lamps by the base, and avoid touching the glass at all. > But if like most 100W bulbs they were bought from a well known internet > auction site they'll have been mauled by numerous sets of hands on their > way from Asia. > Everyone I know (total count - Several) that have bought bulbs from a > well known internet auction site have found that they blow within a > week. It become a joke now. Clean them with IPA or industrial alcohol before fitting. Signature*It's lonely at the top, but you eat better. Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. On Feb 9, 12:08 am, "Dave Plowman (News)" <d...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote: > In article <Xns9A39CA25D54F8alnews67hotmail...@130.133.1.4>, > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Dave Plowman d...@davenoise.co.uk London SW > To e-mail, change noise into sound. thanks all for the feedbacks and advice Cheers Dom > Hi all, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Cheers > Dom Dom, In my opinion they dont blow but burn... The problem is insificient cooling. the bulb get to warm in the housing and burn. Erik >> Hi all, >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > The problem is insificient cooling. the bulb get to warm in the housing > and burn. Correct. I'll bet the failed ones were milky or discoloured internally too. The lamps themselves have a maximum pinch seal temperature of 350°C which will be well exceeded in the E34 optics causing air leaks into the lamp envelope. The E34 optics are marginal even at 55W. I thermal tested both as part of my job as a lamp engineer back in the '80s. You want more light, use Osram Nightbreakers or Silverstars. Same wattage, much higher lumens and no drama with overheating. JB. > "Erik" <evanderscha...@chello.nl> wrote in message > You want more light, use Osram Nightbreakers or Silverstars. Same wattage, > much higher lumens and no drama with overheating. You may also want to check out the Toshiba HIR bulbs too: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33710&viewitem =&item=170189383380&_trksid=p3907.m29 > > "Erik" <evanderscha...@chello.nl> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=337... Will check out the OSRAM's & TOSHIBA. Cheers Dom > > > "Erik" <evanderscha...@chello.nl> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Will check out the OSRAM's & TOSHIBA. You may want to read the BMWCCA article on light bulbs: http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Let_There_Be_E36_Light > > > > "Erik" <evanderscha...@chello.nl> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Let_There_Be_E3... Thanks all.. Cheers Dom >> Hi all, >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > The problem is insificient cooling. the bulb get to warm in the housing > and burn. I don't think that is the problem. My '94 525i still has the 100w h/l bulbs that were fitted nearly 3 years ago. Mike. >I don't think that is the problem. >My '94 525i still has the 100w h/l bulbs that were fitted nearly 3 years >ago. >Mike. What kind of a jackass runs 100W bulbs? >>I don't think that is the problem. >>My '94 525i still has the 100w h/l bulbs that were fitted nearly 3 years >>ago. >>Mike. > >What kind of a jackass runs 100W bulbs? Usually an off road rally driver or similar where road regulations don't exist. In the UK & Euroland the max rated lamps are 55/60w I believe that the US has a limit or had a limit of 25W and that is why the stylists (Ho Ho) gave us twin headlamps to = 50W. Some folk used to modified light aircraft landing light sealed beam units to fit the main beam shells and these were about 150W each (Ouch!). I think (probably been changed now) the US regs on HID etc lamps are restricted to a mere 35W but I am sure someone will put me right on this one. Hugh SignatureSir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK >>I don't think that is the problem. >>My '94 525i still has the 100w h/l bulbs that were fitted nearly 3 years >>ago. >>Mike. > > What kind of a jackass runs 100W bulbs? One who found the std head lamps on his E34 woefully innadequate, and why jackass? They improved the lighting to an acceptable std, without having to use the fog lights, which I was having to do on dark country roads until I fitted them. Mike. >>>I don't think that is the problem. >>>My '94 525i still has the 100w h/l bulbs that were fitted nearly 3 years [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >fog lights, which I was having to do on dark country roads until I fitted >them. They're illegal, and for a reason, jackass. >>>>I don't think that is the problem. >>>>My '94 525i still has the 100w h/l bulbs that were fitted nearly 3 years [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > They're illegal, and for a reason, jackass. I know they're illegal, but would you like to explain why, when in terms of candlepower, HID lights are far brighter and more capable of dazzling than 100w filament h/lights that are set correctly? During the 3 years I've had them fitted, I can't recall a single occasion when I've been flashed by oncoming motorists for presumably dazzling them. Give me a logical argument against the use of 100w bulbs, from a lighting POV, and I might consider it, until then I suggest you restrict your comments to subjects that you are more familiar with, if there are any. And, a reasoned argument with less name calling would certainly be an improvement on what you've posted so far. Mike. >>>>>I don't think that is the problem. >>>>>My '94 525i still has the 100w h/l bulbs that were fitted nearly 3 years [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] >on what you've posted so far. >Mike. Logical reason has already been posted but to re inform you. 1. Illegal 2. 55w output or rather 60W max gives a running amperage of around 4A or 5A 100W would double that and could be a fire hazard when the wiring burns out. 3. HID lights are still 55W/60W power output and take 5A from the vehicle's electrics. 4. 100W bulbs do not have a UV filter and can cause yellowing of any plastic lens/cover. 5. 100W bulbs do not have UV filter and can cause eye damage if one is stupid enough to look at them. 6. 100W bulbs run hotter the 60W bulbs so can cause distortion in the lamp assemblies and bulb mountings etc. shall I go on....? However, as you say you have had them for 3 years and now you ask whether you should use them? Now you ask why they keep blowing? Now you want to argue the toss. Keep on using them but don't moan when everything goes haywire and your fingers get burnt either physically or metaphorically. SignatureSir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK >>>>>>I don't think that is the problem. >>>>>>My '94 525i still has the 100w h/l bulbs that were fitted nearly 3 [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > 1. Illegal Irrelevant. I have already accepted that they are illegal. > 2. 55w output or rather 60W max gives a running amperage of around 4A or > 5A [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > shall I go on....? Why should you? There would be little point. I do not deny that there may be other reasons for not fitting 100w bulbs, but my opinion is based purely on my own experience of the improved lighting they give, and the fact that they haven't caused any electrical problems, over the 3 years they've been fitted. > However, as you say you have had them for 3 years and now you ask whether > you > should use them? Now you ask why they keep blowing? Now you want to argue > the > toss. That was the OP's complaint. Not mine. > Keep on using them but don't moan when everything goes haywire and your > fingers > get burnt either physically or metaphorically. Read the thread. Mike. > >Give me a logical argument against the use of 100w bulbs, from a > >lighting POV, and I might consider it, until then I suggest you > >restrict your comments to subjects that you are more familiar with, if > >there are any. And, a reasoned argument with less name calling would > >certainly be an improvement on what you've posted so far. Mike. > Logical reason has already been posted but to re inform you. > 1. Illegal > 2. 55w output or rather 60W max gives a running amperage of around 4A or > 5A 100W would double that and could be a fire hazard when the wiring > burns out. No fuses on your car, Hugh? ;-) However, car wiring won't burn out with a 40% overload. > 3. HID lights are still 55W/60W power output and take 5A from the > vehicle's electrics. They're 35 watts. > 4. 100W bulbs do not have a UV filter and can cause yellowing of any > plastic lens/cover. My E34 had glass lenses. But have you got to keep plastic ones out of the sun? > 5. 100W bulbs do not have UV filter and can cause eye damage if one is > stupid enough to look at them. > 6. 100W bulbs run hotter the 60W bulbs so can cause distortion in the > lamp assemblies and bulb mountings etc. > shall I go on....? Think you have. ;-) Signature* I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. >> >Give me a logical argument against the use of 100w bulbs, from a >> >lighting POV, and I might consider it, until then I suggest you [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >No fuses on your car, Hugh? ;-) If I have Dave I have no idea where they are yet. The old E38 yes my new E65 No! > However, car wiring won't burn out with a >40% overload. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >My E34 had glass lenses. But have you got to keep plastic ones out of the >sun? The sun can burn but then its about 8 light minutes away whereas the bulb is about 2" and the same amount of atmosphere filtering >> 5. 100W bulbs do not have UV filter and can cause eye damage if one is >> stupid enough to look at them. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Think you have. ;-) SignatureSir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK > > Hi all, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Erik HI Erik, Yes I mean burn :) ..to many burning in a matter of few months.Mind you the HI Beams..work great. cheers Dom |
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