Is Too Much Power Good?

[DraX0r]

Hi,

I just got a pair of Type 881 Lightbulbs for my Stock foglights on the Elantra 03 four door at 80watts. The stock ones were 27watts which I replaces with EuroLights at 32watts. My question is 80watts too high? Will anything melt?

Thanks,

DraX0r

[kylemorg]

There are two potential problems:

1. You may melt either something on the fog lights themselves, or worse yet, your front bumper skin.
2. You may blow fuses or overheat the wiring due to the difference in amperage those bulbs will draw (2.25 amps for each 27 watt bulb versus 6.7 amps for the 80 watt bulbs).

Plus, the efficiency of an 80 watt bulb is much lower -- even though they're consuming about three times the power, I doubt that they'll even be twice as bright as the lower wattage bulbs.

I'd recommend against using those to prevent problems. You'd be better off getting some PIAA or other high quality 27 watt bulbs that will output more light per watt. Stick with bulbs under 40 watts to be safer.

[Dust]

Do a headlight/foglight rewire and you should be able to run them with no problem on the power side

[Soron]

A rewire with lower gauge wires will handle the amps but the problem still remains about heat dissipation, the light bulbs will undoubtedly create far more heat than the stock ones, i'm just wondering if the casing can withstand/dissipate that much heat without melting down and if the heat generated is cumulative (ie there is no cooling or vents). As for the fuses I would suggest replacing it with a higher rated fuse but I have no idea what else is on the same circuit as the bulbs so in the end I am against upgrading the fuses.

[kylemorg]

In short, don't do it unless you're willing to end up having to replace the housings, wiring (may burn up), and possibly the bumper skin if you burn up or melt anything.