More Cool Blue Stuff (and tips).... (archive)

Just changed from PIAA Super Whites to Sylvania Cool Blues on my elipsoids (89 525i). There seems to be no difference in color temperature (observed) but the beam is noticeably brighter. The other difference appears to be in the brightness at the outer sides of the beam thus increasing illumination on and beyond the shoulders of the road; a welcomed upgrade in our critter-ridded area. The increase in shoulder illumination may be due to the clear cap on the 9005 vs. the coated cap on the 9006. At this point I wish I had not wasted the money on the PIAAs. This is the best and cheapest upgrade to factory lighting for the elipsoids IMHO.

A couple of 9005 modification tips:

(1) To determine how much material to take off the upper tab, cut a 3/4 to 1 inch hole in a piece of stiff paper and trace the outline of the the 9006 bulb's tabs. Put the 9005 bulb in the hole and match up the bottom tabs (at 4:00 and 8:00) with the outline and mark the cut based on the 9006 top tab.

(2) To cut the top tab, I used side-cutters and an old points file (remember points?). To remove the ridges within the plug, I used a very narrow, very sharp chisel and the points file.

(3) Do not touch the bulb with your fingers. To prevent this, I wrapped the bulb in plastic wrap (Saran) while I made the modifications. Oh yeah...the bulbs are brighter if you remove the wrap BEFORE you insert them in the lights. Don't ask.

Anyone need some PIAA Super Whites?

Theo

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