FYI: brighter H9 bulbs for fog lights

[bootymac]

PS: Osram also rate their "standard" H11 for 100hrs extra life over the equivalent H9 in the lifespan b3 test. (350hrs vs 250hrs.)

Tc for both is 500hrs.

Night Breaker Unlimited H11 is 150hrs and 250hrs.

Interesting! I quoted the ratings in the first post from other sources; I should've verified them first. I reviewed Osram's technical info and compiled the relevant findings here (lifespan is Tc rating):

- Standard H11: 1350 lm, 3200K, 500 hrs
- Silverstar H11 (+60%): 1350 lm, 3200K, 450 hrs
- Nightbreaker H11 (+110%): 1350 lm, 3600K, 250 hrs
- Standard H9: 2100 lm, 3200K, 500 hrs

Notes:
- Osram doesn't make any "upgraded" H9 bulbs
- The lifespan of the H9 is the same as the standard H11 (500 hrs)
- All the H11 bulbs seem to have the same lumens (there could be a difference with other fittings but that's beyond the scope of this thread)

I've updated the first post with this information

[murcod]

Yes, I had a quick browse and all the various fitment Osram bulbs from (standard to Night Breaker) seem to be rated the same lumen output - even though the advertising claims otherwise. The H4 Night Breakers I had certainly had a lot more light concentrated straight ahead on high beam.
http://users.on.net/~murcod/bulb%20test ... o%20Hi.jpg
http://users.on.net/~murcod/bulb%20test ... r%20Hi.jpg

[SamirD]

PS: Osram also rate their "standard" H11 for 100hrs extra life over the equivalent H9 in the lifespan b3 test. (350hrs vs 250hrs.)

Tc for both is 500hrs.

Night Breaker Unlimited H11 is 150hrs and 250hrs.

Interesting! I quoted the ratings in the first post from other sources; I should've verified them first. I reviewed Osram's technical info and compiled the relevant findings here (lifespan is Tc rating):

- Standard H11: 1350 lm, 3200K, 500 hrs
- Silverstar H11 (+60%): 1350 lm, 3200K, 450 hrs
- Nightbreaker H11 (+110%): 1350 lm, 3600K, 250 hrs
- Standard H9: 2100 lm, 3200K, 500 hrs

Notes:
- Osram doesn't make any "upgraded" H9 bulbs
- The lifespan of the H9 is the same as the standard H11 (500 hrs)
- All the H11 bulbs seem to have the same lumens (there could be a difference with other fittings but that's beyond the scope of this thread)

I've updated the first post with this information

Great info! Checking out how the lifespans don't really change that much and the wattage isn't that much higher, I would have looked at getting PIAAs in h9 if they made the bulb I wanted.

[KuroNekko]

A little off topic:
I'm working with theretrofitcource.com to get hooked up on a deal for HID Morimoto H11 bulbs rated at 3000K for my fog lights. They had promos for a write-up/review with their products so I'm trying to apply the write-up for my low beams in getting a deal to replace my fog light bulbs. I currently have HID fog lights, but they are not very good. I can tell the previous owner got a cheap kit and the bulbs are crap. The RH side barely outputs usable light on the road and the two bulbs differ in color.
I'm looking to replace only the bulbs with Morimotos since over 90% of all HID kits use the same connectors for the bulb to ballast connections. Basically swap the bulbs, but keep the ballast and igniters.

I'm just mentioning this here in case people are interested in the HID alternative to halogen fog light bulbs. After all, the discussion is around ridiculously short-life halogen bulbs for the sake of output power.
Morimoto 3Five HIDs at 3000K (golden yellow) are rated at 3000 lumens with a lifespan of 2500 hours and come with a 2 year warranty. The higher color temps like 4300K and 5000K even output more lumens. The XB35 bulbs are even better and brighter.
Of course, the setback is the price of a kit but high-end halogens can get up there.
LEDs are also pretty good for fog light use and have unmatched lifespan. I would have gone with a LED conversion kit had the previous owner not put in a HID kit.
That being said, the fog light reflector was made for a halogen bulb so it may work best with halogen.

[bootymac]

Hey Kuro, do you have any pictures of your fog light beam pattern? I'm curious how the HIDs compare to halogens.

I've thought about LED fog lights too after seeing your install for the high beams. Seems like a good option seeing how they had a wide spread of light.

[KuroNekko]

Hey Kuro, do you have any pictures of your fog light beam pattern? I'm curious how the HIDs compare to halogens.

I've thought about LED fog lights too after seeing your install for the high beams. Seems like a good option seeing how they had a wide spread of light.

Honestly, my current HID fogs bulbs are not good. Like the wrote, the RH side barely puts usable light on the road. The LH is rather good though. My plan is to replace the bulbs with Morimoto 3Fives pretty soon.

Here's how they currently look on the road:

Fog lights OFF

007.JPG (246.5 KiB) Viewed 5786 times

Fog lights ON

008.JPG (277.52 KiB) Viewed 5786 times

[bootymac]

I'm actually impressed with the LHS output! What's going on with the RHS though

Any issues with glare from the fogs with HIDs?

[KuroNekko]

I'm actually impressed with the LHS output! What's going on with the RHS though

Any issues with glare from the fogs with HIDs?

You mean to other drivers? I don't use them too much and mainly on rainy days or very low light conditions. I've never been flashed or yelled at for brightness/glare issues.
That being said, I'm looking to replace these bulbs with better HID bulbs that should offer a more golden color output and be brighter. The main reason being how poorly the RHS bulb currently outputs.

[murcod]

Hey Bootymac, why do all the hard modification work when Osram supply a 65W H7 off the shelf?
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/42-vo ... bulbs.html

http://store.candlepower.com/osraulhiouh7.html

[bootymac]

I'm actually impressed with the LHS output! What's going on with the RHS though

Any issues with glare from the fogs with HIDs?

You mean to other drivers? I don't use them too much and mainly on rainy days or very low light conditions. I've never been flashed or yelled at for brightness/glare issues.
That being said, I'm looking to replace these bulbs with better HID bulbs that should offer a more golden color output and be brighter. The main reason being how poorly the RHS bulb currently outputs.

Good to know. If the H9s don't work out then I might look into a HID or LED kit

Also, I looked into the yellow H9 bulbs and they don't seem worthwhile for the most part. Many owners say that they're actually dimmer than standard halogens, which makes sense considering the coating will reduce the brightness. They seem to have extremely short lifespans too. Unfortunately I can't find any technical data on them.