75W H9 main beam bulbs - Safe to use?

[Tannaton]

It's not the actual amperage you should be concerned with, it's the percentage overload. Hence going from 65w to 75w is about a 15% increase - you could reasonably expect a 20% margin or so built into the cabling and connectors etc.

However, the real weak link is not the cables but the switching. Modern cars often use transistorised switching rather than contacts or relays and these can be damaged by over current. Volvo fortunately build high margins of safety in their electronics and you very rarely hear of anyone having problems with higher output halogen bulbs but if you want an example of the problems it can cause on other cars - Google "Ford Ranger BCM reset".

[Chrisv60]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Volvo fortunately build high margins of safety in their electronics

Yeah right. My son's had far less trouble with the electrics on his Fiat Punto than I've had with my Volvo. At least he can get all the doors open on his.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Chrisv60

Yeah right. My son's had far less trouble with the electrics on his Fiat Punto than I've had with my Volvo. At least he can get all the doors open on his.

Sell your Volvo and get a Fiat then, if you think that's a good idea?.......

[Chrisv60]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Sell your Volvo and get a Fiat then, if you think that's a good idea?.......

Do you know what? That's exactly what I feel like doing right now. I've had over 12 grands worth of repairs on it since new, its had 3 recalls and is waiting for another 2 and the fact I can't now get the rear door open, probably due to a faulty door module, I think is the final straw.

Apologies, rant over.

Oh yeah, and it's running like a bag of spanners, I'm just waiting for the EML to show itself again.

[glynh]

Originally Posted by Chrisv60

and the fact I can't now get the rear door open, probably due to a faulty door module, I think is the final straw.

My 2013 V60 had same with the door (and no windows), was a broken cam bus wire, £180 later was fixed by auto electrician.

[Yelper85]

Originally Posted by 37 RUBY

Would these PIAA bulbs fit the bill? https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/p...QaAnwFEALw_wcB

I had actually seen these, only annoyance is the colour temp. Really want 5k otherwise I'm no better off than the stock ones.

[Yelper85]

Originally Posted by glynh

Why do you want to 'upgrade' and is it worth it? If you are asking questions then you have concerns so maybe just leave them as they are or just buy new bulbs as i have found just replacing them with new ones can give an improvement. so higher wattage, more heat, potential damage, fuse issues?

I had a car that had fancy 'blue tint' sidelights when i bought it, the sidelights were pants, and even generic halfords normal bulbs were loads brighter. Just a PITA to swap out (this was an insignia)

Also how often will they be used (are they high beam or main?)

I want to upgrade both the Xenons and the main bulbs to make them whiter. Definitely worth it in my opinion, much easier on the eyes, plus makes it feel like more of a premier car. If I could afford it, I'd swap for a newer model with full matrix LED headlights. The dream continues . . .

The Philips Xenons I've seen apparently have a higher output so that should account for any loss due to the temperature increase.

I don't mind keeping the mains as 65W, the point was I can't get 65W bulbs in 5k colour temp. And I certainly don't want blue bulbs for any part of the car. Next you would say don't wrap blue LED christmas lights round the windscreen . . .

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Yelper85

I had actually seen these, only annoyance is the colour temp. Really want 5k otherwise I'm no better off than the stock ones.

I've got the H4 versions in my Ford Ranger and they're really good - as much light I think as Nightbreakers but they seem to last a lot longer.

5,000K Halogen bulbs wont last long unfortunately as they run hotter.

[Yelper85]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I've got the H4 versions in my Ford Ranger and they're really good - as much light I think as Nightbreakers but they seem to last a lot longer.

5,000K Halogen bulbs wont last long unfortunately as they run hotter.

That's one thing I could do without, the hassle of changing bulbs. I suppose at least Volvo made it relatively easy to change as mine has the two long bars that clip the headlamp unit into place.

Then again, it's not just the effort, it's the cost! Might be worth trying I suppose rather than run the risk of the 75W bulbs, especially as the main focus really is to upgrade the Xenons.

How long did your H4's last in comparison to Nightbreakers and stock OEM bulbs?

[Yelper85]

Originally Posted by Chrisv60

Do you know what? That's exactly what I feel like doing right now. I've had over 12 grands worth of repairs on it since new, its had 3 recalls and is waiting for another 2 and the fact I can't now get the rear door open, probably due to a faulty door module, I think is the final straw.

Apologies, rant over.

Oh yeah, and it's running like a bag of spanners, I'm just waiting for the EML to show itself again.

£12k on repairs?! Was that out your own pocket of through Volvo Warranty?

Out of interest what were/are the recalls?

I've heard Volvo recall cars for crazy little items, but then again I suppose this shows their commitment to customer safety and people before profit?