Swapping H11 (55 watt) fog bulbs to H9 (65 watt)

TiAgX5 · #1 02-23-2014, 01:37 PM

The H9 bulbs are much brighter and come in the same color temp as the BMW OE Xenon headlights. These bulbs are used as high beam bulb on many motorcycles. Installing them in the H11 plug requires a simple modification (removal of one plastic tab inside the bulb plug).

I've verified the wiring harness/fuse can supply the additional approx 1 amp current draw the H9s require over the H11s.

My question is, can the fog bulb housings tolerate the additional heat generated by these hotter bulbs?

The lenses are glass and reflectors are metal, so I guess the only issue is the plastic rear housings. Will they melt?

Any input from those who have tried or know someone who has tried is appriciated. Thanks.

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Brandon002 · #2 02-23-2014, 02:23 PM

The brighter you go with your fogs, the less functional they become. They are dim like they are to avoid reflecting off moisture (fog) and to allow you to see by cutting through and under fog. So while they may look cool when you brighten them up to match the headlights, they lose most of their function.

Ricky Bobby · #3 02-23-2014, 02:25 PM

It's tough to say. The H11 fog housings are quite small (reflectors), so not sure about added heat.

Have you considered the H11 Hoen xenonmatch bulbs if you're looking to match the stock xenon? They are the best matching in color temp, and longest lasting bulbs I've ever had in halogen (colored glass).

I've had 2 sets of Hoen bulbs in fog lights on my old GLI, and now in my wife's car. My GLI had 2.5 years of use with no sign of dying, and the set in my wife's fogs are going strong since I bought them in early 2012.

They are pricey at 40 bucks a set, but it's worth it because they last.

I don't have any additional input on H9's however

TiAgX5 · #4 02-23-2014, 03:47 PM

Rare if ever see fog in the area I operate the X. Having installed brighter H11 bulbs and adjusting the foglight assemblies so top cutoff line of beam is around 100/150 ft ahead of X, I find they really aid seeing the road ahead/sides vs Xenons only.

These are what I'm looking at, natural white 4150k, NO bluish output like 4200k+. $66 is the best price I've found on pair.

Piaa H9 Xtreme White Plus Halogen Headlight Bulbs Twin Pack 65W 120W 4150K | eBay

Ricky Bobby · #5 02-23-2014, 04:58 PM

Again, I'm no help because I wouldn't want to be the guinea pig to use 10w higher bulbs and have them melt up my housings.

I have Valeo OE projector fog housings retrofit in my '03 (as you know we originally got reflectors in '03-onward), with Morimoto 4300k H3C kit, it matches my xenons as close as anything, with a sharp, defined cutoff line thanks to the projector it really gives me a hell of a lot of extra light.

Piaa always seemed way overpriced to me and I've used their bulbs in my early car modding days, they didn't last.

If you want to try out the Hoen's if you're set on the H9 fitment, they can be found here, the H9's are going to run you $46 shipped (xenonmatch plus)

Hoen

If you end up sticking with H11 bulbs the regular Xenonmatch bulbs can be found in the Fog light section of that site. Trust me, the Hoen bulbs DO match the xenons, I've seen firsthand. You would be happy with either and probably save a few bucks over the PIAA's.

Just my 2 cents.

TerminatorX5 · #6 02-23-2014, 05:17 PM

I do not know about the extra heat generated by extra 10W but I am not so sure about the fuse that you are referring to - the external lights don't really have fuses, they are operated by the power MOSFET transistors inside the LCM... 55W at 12V nominal yield about 4.5A of current flowing through the "power" leg of the transistor. Extra 10W of power introduce an additional 1A of current into the transistor, and that alone may throw off the internal logic of the LCM that monitors the current output for the light - the 65W bulb has less resistance than the 55W bulb (2.5 Ohms) and the 65W bulb has (2.1 Ohms)...

I would stick to the 55W bulbs...

TiAgX5 · #7 02-23-2014, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Again, I'm no help because I wouldn't want to be the guinea pig to use 10w higher bulbs and have them melt up my housings.

I have Valeo OE projector fog housings retrofit in my '03 (as you know we originally got reflectors in '03-onward), with Morimoto 4300k H3C kit, it matches my xenons as close as anything, with a sharp, defined cutoff line thanks to the projector it really gives me a hell of a lot of extra light.

Piaa always seemed way overpriced to me and I've used their bulbs in my early car modding days, they didn't last.

If you want to try out the Hoen's if you're set on the H9 fitment, they can be found here, the H9's are going to run you $46 shipped (xenonmatch plus)

Hoen

If you end up sticking with H11 bulbs the regular Xenonmatch bulbs can be found in the Fog light section of that site. Trust me, the Hoen bulbs DO match the xenons, I've seen firsthand. You would be happy with either and probably save a few bucks over the PIAA's.

Just my 2 cents.

I'm on the fence about which way I'm going with this. I realize the PIAA are shorter life, but generate light output of a 120w bulb each while only drawing 65w each (along with way more heat, hence the short life).

I'm looking into a cruddy/used set of junkyard housings to see if the H9s will melt them.

I've seen PIAA H9s installed in sport bike hi-beams and am amazed at the output and natural pure white color (4150k). I've seen the 4700k also, too blue/purple.

Ive' trolled a few Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota and Honda forums for those who have done the H9 bulb mod to plug into H11 harness plug, several have, yet to find melted housings reported, and those have plastic lenses/reflectors.