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Re: any reflector issues? Posted by sam96CS [Email] (#852) [Profile/Gallery] (more from sam96CS) on Tue, 31 May 2011 11:23:47 In Reply to: any reflector issues?, derf, Tue, 31 May 2011 10:34:50 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Good question. I just looked and saw no reflector bubbling or deformation. I'm driving in NC where the ambient temps are usually higher than temps encountered by Mark at VT on any given day. I did this mod in July '08, so it has stood the test of time.
Every watt of electrical consumption generates 3.414 btu's of heat per hour if I recall the formula correctly. The difference between 55 and 65 watts is only about 34 btu's in an hour's time, and some 9005s draw only 60 watts.
Both the high and low beam reflector housings are made from the same plastic. The surface area of the low beam reflector however is far greater than that of the high beam reflector. The low beam reflector in my nearly 3 years of experience is able to radiate enough additional heat to stay below the threshold of deforming or melting. I am careful to make sure all three mounting tabs are properly engaged so that the bulb is centered. If not centered, then the aim will be off and the odds of causing a hot spot are greater.
The low beam wiring harness and wires show now signs of stress from the additional electrical current. Bottom line is all the parts we are concerned about are sufficiently overengineered (in the '96 model year anyway) to withstand the additional stresses of this modification.
The additional heat may shorten the life of the bulb itself, although 9005 halogens are usually engineered for shorter lives than 9006's.
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