Projectors
- Thread starter giantsfan
- Start date
arty
. I was just wondering if I should do 35w or 55w hids? Any input?
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rideexileex
Senior Member
55w and go for the 4300k lights! I'm at two years with the set and not a problem. The light output is amazing
robb1887
New member
This sums it up
blizz86
New member
4300 puts out the most lumens, and is pure white. 5000k is more cool white, with a sacrifice of a few lumens. If you want a more OEM look 4300 is good, is you want a more "white" output then 5000k is good.
and 35w is generally more stable then 55w, but i havent seen comparison pictures. 35w is pretty damn good though.
i have fxr 3.0 3" with morimoto bulbs and ballasts (35w).
blizz86
New member
Basically premature fry-age of the bulb or ballast. Not sure how bad it is, but everyone says 35w is more stable. lol
BrianSD_42
New member
Sorry but 35 vs 55W is not as simple as this thread makes it sound.
I have run both, each time with true Phillips bulbs. Read up on it. In my signature is a thread on FX-R projectors.
I am currently running 35W. I say get 35W because over powering the bulbs does more than effect the lifespan, it changes the light color.
I have run both, each time with true Phillips bulbs. Read up on it. In my signature is a thread on FX-R projectors.
I am currently running 35W. I say get 35W because over powering the bulbs does more than effect the lifespan, it changes the light color.
rickashay
New member
I've got a few things to ad here...
4300K will be the brightest and most whitest bulb. 5000K will be slightly blue. You will start to wash out mild details on the road and lose a little bit of light output going this route, but it's not that bad. If you need that slight blue color, go 5000K and NOTHING above.
Regarding 35w and 55w ballasts -
The 55w ballasts will of course be brighter than the 35w counterpart. The increased wattage of the ballasts will generate a dramatic more amount of heat and this leads to their reliability. They will not last as long as a 35w ballast and this is the reason why all OEM manufacturers use 35w ballasts for OEM projector-equipped vehicles. The bulbs will also not last as long pushing that extra power!
Another issue with the 55w ballasts is how they pair to the particular projector being used. Just like how putting drop-in HID's in your factory halogen reflectors is a bad thing, so is putting a hugely powerful ballast/bulb combo in certain projectors. Certain projectors cannot handle the increased output and will start to lose the exceptional lighting characteristics that you are after, by doing a retrofit. Morimoto Mini's for example, paired with 55w ballasts, have even had their internal chrome finish burnt off. Yes, not a good thing, and TRS even recommends not pairing the two together!! Acura TL projectors and the LS430/460 projectors have been known to handle the 55w ballasts well. I'm honestly not too sure on the FX-R's and 55w ballasts but I've personally never recommended someone do it. Although the FX-R's are very solid so I would ASSUME you would be OK.
IMO stick with a 4300K bulb, but opt for the Philips 85122+ or the Osram product. These bulbs just have the quality and reputation to back up their slight increase in cost. I run the Philips and LOVE them. Pair them with a 35w ballast - Morimoto if your truck sees river/water crossings as they are weather sealed better than even the OEM Denso ballasts. Go with the Denso's if you crave that faster warm-up time and ultimate regular-driving reliability.
4300K will be the brightest and most whitest bulb. 5000K will be slightly blue. You will start to wash out mild details on the road and lose a little bit of light output going this route, but it's not that bad. If you need that slight blue color, go 5000K and NOTHING above.
Regarding 35w and 55w ballasts -
The 55w ballasts will of course be brighter than the 35w counterpart. The increased wattage of the ballasts will generate a dramatic more amount of heat and this leads to their reliability. They will not last as long as a 35w ballast and this is the reason why all OEM manufacturers use 35w ballasts for OEM projector-equipped vehicles. The bulbs will also not last as long pushing that extra power!
Another issue with the 55w ballasts is how they pair to the particular projector being used. Just like how putting drop-in HID's in your factory halogen reflectors is a bad thing, so is putting a hugely powerful ballast/bulb combo in certain projectors. Certain projectors cannot handle the increased output and will start to lose the exceptional lighting characteristics that you are after, by doing a retrofit. Morimoto Mini's for example, paired with 55w ballasts, have even had their internal chrome finish burnt off. Yes, not a good thing, and TRS even recommends not pairing the two together!! Acura TL projectors and the LS430/460 projectors have been known to handle the 55w ballasts well. I'm honestly not too sure on the FX-R's and 55w ballasts but I've personally never recommended someone do it. Although the FX-R's are very solid so I would ASSUME you would be OK.
IMO stick with a 4300K bulb, but opt for the Philips 85122+ or the Osram product. These bulbs just have the quality and reputation to back up their slight increase in cost. I run the Philips and LOVE them. Pair them with a 35w ballast - Morimoto if your truck sees river/water crossings as they are weather sealed better than even the OEM Denso ballasts. Go with the Denso's if you crave that faster warm-up time and ultimate regular-driving reliability.
Last edited:
giantsfan
New member
Ok this was soo helpful. Thanks a lot for the advice. I'm gonna go with what you said and do 4300k with 35w ballasts. Rickashay comin in clutch
Ed_C
Senior Member
Densos aren't very water resistant,and Toyota/Lexus had them in the lowest spots of the headlights so they'd get flooded and fail when the lights get moisture buildup.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj295/ed_photobucket/denso05.jpg (used a link because the pic is pretty large)
You could also fill the Densos with epoxy potting compound to totally waterproof them...
BrianSD_42
New member
Link ---> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html
Yes, like this:
:bolt:
Link ---> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html
:bolt:
Yes, like this:
:bolt:
Link ---> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html
:bolt:
nc-grayson
Member
superbump....
[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] how have your sealed denso ballasts held up to the elements in the 4 years since this post?
Did you "pott" and fill them with thermal epoxy first and then silicone around the edges?
Or just silicone it shut?
Basically....would you do what you did again or differently?
[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] how have your sealed denso ballasts held up to the elements in the 4 years since this post?
Did you "pott" and fill them with thermal epoxy first and then silicone around the edges?
Or just silicone it shut?
Basically....would you do what you did again or differently?
BrianSD_42
New member
Denso are holding up just fine. On my wife's car I have the Morimoto ballasts. One set failed after 2.5 years and now that replacement set is acting up again.
I simply sealed the Denso up with basic silicone and would do so again.
I simply sealed the Denso up with basic silicone and would do so again.