Okay, so I'm a little new to aftermarket headlight bulbs. I'm in the market for a new pair and want to make the right decision. I know that bulb info is usually given in Watts, Volts, and then Size. So what wattage and voltage is ideal for the 9005s for WRXs? Is there any number that when too high will either blow a fuse or the bulb, or perhaps overheat any arrays? I'd like a little crash course in lighting please
Also, kind of a strange question but can my WRX headlight bulbs be transferred to a 2003 Honda Accord? They're the same size.
Sorry I couldn't be a bit more specific but lighting isn't exactly my are of expertise Thank you all for your help!

 

Ryan,

The wrx's have 9007 bulbs and i think the accord uses h7 or h1 i'll check for you (girlfriend has a 03 accord) I think you should not exceed 55 watts for the stock headlights. other wise upgrade your harness. the piaas with the output that says 55w-->100 should be ok since they are only drawing out 55w to "produce" a 100w light output. if you go too high, you wont blow a fuse but you will melt your harness.

 

Ryan, the manual states that the bulb wattage should be 60/55 and the size is 9007. I don't know much about lighting either but I would think that the higher the watts, the brighter the bulb will be, similar to lightbulbs for the house. If you get a bulb that has an extremely high watt, it might try to draw too much power and something will happen. I just checked the sylvania site and they say a 2003 accord uses 9006 for the low beam and 9005 for the high beams.




:banana:

 

Definitely stay with stock wattage 9007 bulbs. There have been many cases of melted harnesses and connectors due to overheating from aftermarket bulbs. The 9007 configuration isn't designed to dissipate more heat and current than the stock bulbs can produce/draw.
The "HID look" bulbs you see on Ebay are a disaster waiting to happen, and anything with a blue coating will actually reduce usable light output while increasing glare.
For a safe, useful upgrade try a set of Sylvania Xtravision bulbs (NOT the "cool blues" or Silverstars) which you can get at your local parts store for a reasonable price.

 

Thank you thank you very much everyone for the good info!
Can you also tell me a little more about harnesses please?

 

heres a link to a harness:

http://www.autos-2.com/Electrical-Di...ng-harness.htm

a bit pricy but im sure you can find a cheaper set.

 

Thanks Ed!

 

These are H4's but the same applies for the 9007's:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...&threadid=1247

 

Thanks Peaty!
Looks like I have research and shopping cut out for me.

 

I've talked to Daniel Stern a few times over the years (website above) He's a very konwledgable guy when it comes to automotive lighting. He is a expert consultant to the industry. Once I asked him about the HID retorfit kits they have. I put his answer here:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...&threadid=2890

 

Great replies! Thank you :banana:

 

Quick question: HB3 = 9007 just as HB4 = 900X What does X equal?
Thanks!

 

I purchased those dual light headlights for my 2002 WRX off E-bay.

When I wired them in they did nto work right and I had to re-wire so that one bulb was the regular lights and the other was the brights. Both can not be on at the same time cause it jsut did not work. Whe nI tried it they both just dimmed down.

The bulbs are nto the same as the 9007s. My questions is can I make this work? If I simply upgrade the wiring harness is it goign to work?


I also notivced that these lights are puttign a huge drain on my battery. THey take my Volts at a standstill from like 13+ down to lile jsut abouve 12V. If I turn on the rear defroster or AC with the lights on it goes below 12V and I already saw what happeens if you are in park too long with all those things on.