HID 35W or 55W Question

[mannyjfk]

Here we go guys. One of my 35W HID bulbs went belly up and I need to replace it. I have been researching if either 35W or 55W HIDs. I read that the 55W may melt the bejesus of the headlight casing but some say that it does not. I need to buy and replace but I need some ideas. Please let me know if anybody had negative experiences using 55W.

Tnx

[hbodo08]

Here we go guys. One of my 35W HID bulbs went belly up and I need to replace it. I have been researching if either 35W or 55W HIDs. I read that the 55W may melt the bejesus of the headlight casing but some say that it does not. I need to buy and replace but I need some ideas. Please let me know if anybody had negative experiences using 55W.

Tnx

35 will be more true to your hid scale like 6k will look like 6k but if you ran a 55w with a 6k it will wash out a little bit making it look 5500k for example

i always ran 35w and it never failed me my friends run 55w and they are fine too its just what your trying to get out of your lights (color distance brightness etc)

[Akronnnnnnnn]

I've got 55 in my lows and 35 in my fogs, apparently 55's will melt your fogs but there are people who have run them with no problems.

[mannyjfk]

I've got 55 in my lows and 35 in my fogs, apparently 55's will melt your fogs but there are people who have run them with no problems.

So if I use 55W on my headlights I will be fine? I already have 35W on my fogs with no issue but my headlights is what I am concerned.

[Akronnnnnnnn]

So if I use 55W on my headlights I will be fine? I already have 35W on my fogs with no issue but my headlights is what I am concerned.

yeah, you're not going to mess up your headlights with 55w. On the contrary, depending on which ones you get, 55w's tend to result in more problems.

[mannyjfk]

Akron,

I am looking to get the closest to 6000K on the 55W side. What you recommend?

[speedlyte]

The 55w you will need the harness to prevent problems. ddmtuning is a great site and they have a lifetime warranty. Look at the site color patterns matching the color temp. Thats your best bet.

[onceover]

35w is plenty bright for me. nuff said.

[mannyjfk]

35w is plenty bright for me. nuff said.

Once, I am very old and blind. I am like 60Y/O. I was the oldest one at Waterfest.

[green a6]

35w here on my audi fogs

[rollerton]

Hm. Someone will correct me, but I'm pretty sure there is no Bulb difference in the HID, there's no filament, resistance isn't present in the bulb per se, the only difference is in the output from the ballast.
I don't think you can buy a "55w HID bulb" and install it and get 55w, its part of the ballast rating, or if there's a difference it's in the combination. You'll see the ballsat always has a label with the rating.

[westie180]

Hm. Someone will correct me, but I'm pretty sure there is no Bulb difference in the HID, there's no filament, resistance isn't present in the bulb per se, the only difference is in the output from the ballast.
I don't think you can buy a "55w HID bulb" and install it and get 55w, its part of the ballast rating, or if there's a difference it's in the combination. You'll see the ballsat always has a label with the rating.

if you're concerned about that (and i wouldn't be surprised if it's the case with most of the cheap brands), you could always install d2s bulbs with adapters (only works for the h7 headlamps). you can do philips 85122+ bulbs or morimoto 5five bulbs with morimoto 5five ballasts, boosted oem ballasts, and perhaps even the cheaper 55w ballasts. the philips and 5five bulbs have higher quality salt mixtures that won't get nearly as hot from the extra wattage, and heat is the concern here.

[Matt Devo]

Here we go guys. One of my 35W HID bulbs went belly up and I need to replace it. I have been researching if either 35W or 55W HIDs. I read that the 55W may melt the bejesus of the headlight casing but some say that it does not. I need to buy and replace but I need some ideas. Please let me know if anybody had negative experiences using 55W.

Tnx

always replace HID bulbs in pairs to maintain consistent coloring. Buy a pair of bulbs that are rated for whatever your current ballasts output, unless you plan on replacing them too.

if you're concerned about that (and i wouldn't be surprised if it's the case with most of the cheap brands), you could always install d2s bulbs with adapters (only works for the h7 headlamps). you can do philips 85122+ bulbs or morimoto 5five bulbs with morimoto 5five ballasts, boosted oem ballasts, and perhaps even the cheaper 55w ballasts. the philips and 5five bulbs have higher quality salt mixtures that won't get nearly as hot from the extra wattage, and heat is the concern here.

you missed his point completely - that the OP can't "upgrade" his bulbs to 55W if his ballasts are only 35W, since the ballast are what control the output. He can use bulbs rated for 55W output but will only get 35W

[Trev]

DDM 55W 5000K for pure bright white.

You will also want to get the wiring harness and error code eliminators.

Please do not get anything other then pure white...