Author |
Message |
Perry
| Posted on Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 06:11 pm: |
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I swapped the stock headlight bulbs out for Silverstars just a couple months ago. Now the low beam went out. Did I have bad luck, or do they usually die that quickly? |
Altima02
| Posted on Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 06:45 pm: |
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They don't last as long, but they should last 1-2 years in a car, so longer on a bike for sure. They are know to blow quickly though. |
Eboos
| Posted on Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 06:56 pm: |
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I am still running the same silverstars in my Mustang that I put in 3 years ago. The silverstar in my M2 I put in about a month ago (a little over a thousand miles since). Did you use the correct wattage? |
Howieshotrods
| Posted on Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 06:57 pm: |
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I would think they wouldn't last as long on a bike, they are on all the time and I would guess they have to take alot more abuse (vibration, wheelies, etc.) |
Toona
| Posted on Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 06:58 pm: |
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and only handle by the metal base, not the glass "bulb"? |
Thespive
| Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 01:11 am: |
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I spoke to a Sylvania rep a few years ago about the Silverstars and asked if they are so good, why don't they come OEM in new vehicles, since Sylvania already supplies the bulb. He says they run a bit hotter, so they don't last as long. OEM bulbs are designed to last the warranty period, while Silverstars only last 2-3 years. That being said, I have had them in my Ranger since 2002 and 50,000 miles and they are still going strong. As mentioned, never handle the glass, as the oil in your hands heats at a different rate on the glass and will cause the bulb to shatter. --Sean |
Chainsaw
| Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 09:23 am: |
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I average about 6000 miles out of the Silverstars on the XB. |
Dano_12s
| Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 09:40 am: |
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Had them in my tuber+XB's they never lasted long my guess is vibes,firm suspend.shortened life. |
Treadmarks
| Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
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I have had the same problem on my harley and my honda street motard. After reading an article on the web that explained why hotter bulbs blow faster if the factory wiring is not upgraded, I ran larger wires from the battery, and through a new relay which is activated by the factory switch. That was 8000 miles ago, and I still use the same 90/130 watt bulb. More info here http://www.rallylights.com/useful_info/sensible_wiring.htm |
Midknyte
| Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 12:10 pm: |
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It only took me one lightless ride home (with a regular bulb) to teach me to carry a spare. Thankfully I was not riding alone... |
Fullpower
| Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 02:57 pm: |
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I carry spare H7 behind flyscreen. ""It's better to burnout than fade away..." |
Snackbar64
| Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 04:52 pm: |
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How do you remove the headlamp so that you can take out the plastic piece in the low beam housing for better lighting? Does it really help to do this? |
Bumblebee
| Posted on Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 01:16 pm: |
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Silverstar life depends on the voltage of your electrical system. If your vehicle runs voltage above 13.2 volts (and a Buell does) life will be very short. |
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