I'm picking up two pair of Hella 500 series driving lights for winter, but in the past I've been very disappointed in the stock output of them. Sylvania Xtravisions aren't offered in the H3 style, and Sylvania silverstars are a bit pricey. I used the silverstars in my Hella fogs and noticed a slight improvement on the output, but it still wasn't great.

Doing a search at Advance Auto Parts, I found that we can order in the Hella H3 100 watt bulbs in for $5.88, a dollar more than the 55 watters. I was thinking about getting 3 pair of these, each for my driving lights and my fog lights.

Can anyone offer some advice gained upon experience with this combination? I'm a bit concerned with problems relating to the heat. I do know that you can turn the stock foglights gold from the heat with these bulbs, but are they safe for the 500 series lights? Will they burn the housing, or worse, cause the glass lense to shatter when contacted by rain/snow? Should I be concerned with the harness, and build my own with ##gauge speaker wire instead of the provided harness?

I'm sure this topic has been covered before, but a few different searches yielded no good results. As always, any advice is greatly appreciated.

100W could be over kill. I ran them in my FF1000's with clear covers and they exploded. If the weather is warm and you have clear covers, they will explode. Also, make sure the wiring is at least 12Ga to be adequate. I'd move up to a 65W but not a 100W with the 500s

I had 500s on an old GTi and had 100w bulbs in there for over a year with no problems. I was in New Hampshire at the time so the temps ranged from -10-100°F, rain, snow sleet and all that other fun stuff. Use the next size up wire and I think you'll be fine. The only thing that I can think might be different is that on my old GTi they were out on the front bumper by themselves. If you integrate them into the front bumper/skirt on a Suby you will definitly get less airlow around it. How much this matters is anyone's guess.

100W could be over kill. I ran them in my FF1000's with clear covers and they exploded. If the weather is warm and you have clear covers, they will explode. Also, make sure the wiring is at least 12Ga to be adequate. I'd move up to a 65W but not a 100W with the 500s
what do you mean by exploded?

what do you mean by exploded?

BOOM!

I think Rapid_Roo was running 100w bulbs in his Hella 500s.

The trick is to only have the lights on while the car is moving (you know, so the air cools the lamps). Espically so if you have clear covers on them. At a stop you turn them off.

Otherwise the lamps can easily handle 100w bulbs. Just make sure you've upgraded your wiring.

I think if there is question that the lamps can handle the temperature load it would be best to up the selection to the 4000's

I have a pair of those clip on covers that Hella offers. Should I invest in another set of those, or maybe just get some rockblocker? Would anything like that help?

Do you know anything about the reflector getting burnt from the heat as well?

I'll be going to walmart to pick up a roll of 12ga speaker wire as suggested.

I'm no electrical wiz, but I think the wire strands in speaker wire are too small to support the current load (ampes) properly?

Clip on covers worked fine for me.

Reflectors never burned.

Keeping the 500 off is a good idea, but I never did. Now being a little older and safer I might turn them off for a stop over 30 soconds or so, but not for stopping at your typical stop sign, that would be overkill.

Ok, I'll keep that all in mind as I get all of this togther. Rockblocker would be a more attactive alternative to the clip on lights, but would it have the same effect as far as cold water/snow cracking the lense?

For wiring, go to the sidewalk lighting section of home depot and get some of their landscape wiring 12Ga cable. It's black, has very heavy insulation, and is nicely affordable.
http://wrx.dicknogs.net/lighting/sti_ff1000/wire.jpg

Will do. :D

I think Rapid_Roo was running 100w bulbs in his Hella 500s.

The trick is to only have the lights on while the car is moving (you know, so the air cools the lamps). Espically so if you have clear covers on them. At a stop you turn them off.

Otherwise the lamps can easily handle 100w bulbs. Just make sure you've upgraded your wiring.


I ran up to 160W. and yes, turn them off when not moving.



reminder high wattage bulbs do not last very long.

I ran up to 160W. and yes, turn them off when not moving.



reminder high wattage bulbs do not last very long.

According to rallylights.com, the bulb life for Hella's 100 watt bulbs are "250" while the 55 watt bulbs are "1000." I assume they mean hours, and if so, I can justify changing bulbs every few months considering I do the majority of my long distance driving at night.

According to rallylights.com, the bulb life for Hella's 100 watt bulbs are "250" while the 55 watt bulbs are "1000." I assume they mean hours, and if so, I can justify changing bulbs every few months considering I do the majority of my long distance driving at night.

just wanted to let you know. :)



on more important night rallies, I bring spare bulbs.


...reminds me I need to order some H1's for my 4000s. :)

just wanted to let you know. :)



on more important night rallies, I bring spare bulbs.


...reminds me I need to order some H1's for my 4000s. :)

Yeah, I was just saying. I'll take your idea and order a couple spares to keep in the trunk. Thanks for all the information. I should have this setup together within the next month or so. :D

For wiring, go to the sidewalk lighting section of home depot and get some of their landscape wiring 12Ga cable. It's black, has very heavy insulation, and is nicely affordable.
http://wrx.dicknogs.net/lighting/sti_ff1000/wire.jpg

OOOOooooooooooooooo
cheap solution