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Exploding lighbulbs?!BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Feb 19, 2008 13:53:19 GMT
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I have a slightly odd problem - I use H4 halogen bulbs in my headlights, replacing the original tungsten bulbs as I want to be able to actually see where I'm going of a night. However, they keep shattering. I just pulled off the NS headlight and found the bulb in bits. This is the third or fourth time this has happened. Can't recall if it's always the same side or not, but either way it's a bit baffling. What could be causing this?
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Feb 19, 2008 13:55:11 GMT
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its not something really simple like grease off your finger? can heat up and cause the glass to crack/shatter
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Last Edit: Feb 19, 2008 13:55:37 GMT by Deleted
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Feb 19, 2008 13:57:09 GMT
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Yeah that would be my guess too! Have to avoid getting ANYTHING on the bulb. I always take a fresh kitchen roll and use a couple of sheets from that around the bulb whenever I handle one
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Feb 19, 2008 14:11:55 GMT
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I might be wrong on this, but I was under the impression that you can't use Halogen bulbs, if the lights were not meant to have them.
If not it might a wiring fault if the bulb is drawing too much juice and blowing the bulb
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205 GTi Mi16
205 XS - Now in filmidget's signature
Clio dci 80
I've found in life if someone is an idiot, they generally stay and idiot.
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Exploding lighbulbs?!BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Feb 19, 2008 14:19:30 GMT
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Hmm, I'm quite careful handling the bulbs, but I suppose I could have put my greasy paws on it whilst fitting! I've known other people put H4's in instead of the old bulbs, but don't know if they've had any problems or not. Electrickery is definitely not my strong point, so I have no idea if the wiring would cope with halogens or not!
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kevfromwales
Posted a lot
the conrod's REALLY out the block now!
Posts: 3,909
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Feb 19, 2008 14:22:00 GMT
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it doesn't have to be greasy paws - I was under the impression that the normal oils in your skin can cause them to break? - kev
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Almost on the road: b11 sunny breadvan, e36 tds, 325i skidcar,
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''unfortanatly I'm quite old and scruffy and in need of some loving. my drive shaft needs a new boot....''
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Feb 19, 2008 14:52:31 GMT
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Anything on the glass at all can cause a hot spot and cause them to go pop, i always use a kitchen towel to handle them and clean them again once fitted. tis possible on the merc that they are getting wet, must be moisture able to get in behind merc lights, thats why all the reflectors go rusty i reckon, the light bowl isnt sealed against the glass, its all open plan in there.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Feb 19, 2008 15:05:51 GMT
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Running H4s on the 2CV and the only problem is that the light switch gets warm - quite useful as a finger-warmer on these cold mornings! Relays get around that problem but I've opted for the "if it ain't broke..." approach. Has been ok for the past seven years.
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1986 Citroen 2CV Dolly Other things. Check out my Blog for the latest! www.hubnut.org
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Feb 19, 2008 15:31:50 GMT
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i ran several imps with halogen conversions and never had any probs.it sounds to me like grease or similar on the bulb,its easily done ,try wiping them with white spirit before you fit them.either that or are they cheapo bulbs? ;D
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JC
Part of things
Posts: 815
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Feb 19, 2008 15:40:33 GMT
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I might be wrong on this, but I was under the impression that you can't use Halogen bulbs, if the lights were not meant to have them. If not it might a wiring fault if the bulb is drawing too much juice and blowing the bulb Doesn't matter too much about the light itself as that's nothing more than a reflector really. The only time this would be a problem if the bulbs were drawing more current than the circuit can take, or if there is a short somewhere. which would normally cause the fuse to pop, not the bulb. If there's not a fuse it could be a short somewhere maybe?
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Exploding lighbulbs?!BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Feb 19, 2008 15:50:23 GMT
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I'm pretty sure the lights are on a fused circuit, so I'd expect the fuse to blow before the bulb.
As Popup says, the lights aren't water tight (especially with my 33 year old rubber seals!) so moisture could be getting in and causing it.
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Feb 19, 2008 17:36:29 GMT
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the bulb/light is getting to hot is it in a small light as in not a lot of room? that will crack/shatter the bulb
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