Lighting: 9006>9011? HIR hibeam bulb in low beam socket possible?
09-16-2008, 06:35 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lighting: 9006>9011? HIR hibeam bulb in low beam socket possible?
Summary:
Can I replace my 9006 low beam bulbs with 9011 hi-beam HIR bulbs safely?
Details:
I just got my second accord (from a 1989 to a 1997) and I'm not impressed with the low beams at night, simply too dim for even normal conditions.
I have in the past used 9005 bulbs (no cap, 1700 lumen) as a brighter replacement for 9006 (capped, 1000 lumen) bulbs by cutting away some of the top tab and the inner guide tabs as outlined here (search that thread for "More Light").
I have also read about HIR bulbs being used as replacements (use "select all" on that site to see the black text on black background):
9005 --> 9011 (hi-beam)
9006 ---> 9012 (low-beam)
I see that it would be possible to cut the 9011 bulb fitting to match a 9006's fittings, thus it is possible to put the 9011 in the 9006 lo-beam position.
My question:
Is this a bad idea for some reason I am unaware of?
Is the brighter bulb going to melt the headlight? The wiring harness?
Is the bulb going to have a very short life? (used on new Maximas so I assume it has acceptable bulb life in that application)
Something else (fire, melting, police attention, etc)? (Seems that if your lights are properly aimed the 9005 in 9006 mod does not attract attention, so this ought to be the same but I'm guessing)
Also, if anyone knows where to get the 9011 bulbs for less than $29 on ebay, please let me know.
Thanks ahead of time for your feedback
Can I replace my 9006 low beam bulbs with 9011 hi-beam HIR bulbs safely?
Details:
I just got my second accord (from a 1989 to a 1997) and I'm not impressed with the low beams at night, simply too dim for even normal conditions.
I have in the past used 9005 bulbs (no cap, 1700 lumen) as a brighter replacement for 9006 (capped, 1000 lumen) bulbs by cutting away some of the top tab and the inner guide tabs as outlined here (search that thread for "More Light").
I have also read about HIR bulbs being used as replacements (use "select all" on that site to see the black text on black background):
9005 --> 9011 (hi-beam)
9006 ---> 9012 (low-beam)
I see that it would be possible to cut the 9011 bulb fitting to match a 9006's fittings, thus it is possible to put the 9011 in the 9006 lo-beam position.
My question:
Is this a bad idea for some reason I am unaware of?
Is the brighter bulb going to melt the headlight? The wiring harness?
Is the bulb going to have a very short life? (used on new Maximas so I assume it has acceptable bulb life in that application)
Something else (fire, melting, police attention, etc)? (Seems that if your lights are properly aimed the 9005 in 9006 mod does not attract attention, so this ought to be the same but I'm guessing)
Also, if anyone knows where to get the 9011 bulbs for less than $29 on ebay, please let me know.
Thanks ahead of time for your feedback
09-17-2008, 05:45 AM
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll definitely post pictures as:
1. Before both replaced
2. One side with stock 9006 and one side with the replacement (9011, 9012, or high quality 9005).
3. After both replaced
Any other thoughts from folks on why this might be a good or bad idea?
My biggest concern so far is the run life - the 9011 may be 235 hours and the 9012 may be 1000 hours to 50% fail rate according to this (2004) thread at Candlepowerforums
Also, here's a GREAT visual of what to cut for make these HIR bulbs fit. Here's a taste:
1. Before both replaced
2. One side with stock 9006 and one side with the replacement (9011, 9012, or high quality 9005).
3. After both replaced
Any other thoughts from folks on why this might be a good or bad idea?
My biggest concern so far is the run life - the 9011 may be 235 hours and the 9012 may be 1000 hours to 50% fail rate according to this (2004) thread at Candlepowerforums
Also, here's a GREAT visual of what to cut for make these HIR bulbs fit. Here's a taste:
09-18-2008, 07:27 PM
#5
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just ordered a pair of 9012 HIR bulbs.
My reasoning:
(1) longest life (longer than over amped 9005's or 9011's, similar run time to traditional 9006 bulbs)
(2) Correct wattage (related to above, but also easier on the alternator in the long term)
(3) Less risk of bothering other drivers with too much light leaking into their view, something no one likes.
Reasons against:
(1) Expensive - a pair of Philips Vision Plus bulbs from Aid-auto.com would have been $22 shipped, two 9012's were $55 shipped from Candlepower
Further, the 9011 bulbs would have been the same price and significantly brighter, but at a substantial loss of run time (apparently about 33% of the run time relative to the 9012 according to the technical spec sheets and Dan Stern Lighting, a great resource).
(2) Only slightly brighter than the VisionPlus 9005:
VisionPlus 9005 - 1700 lumens
Toshiba 9012 - 1875 lumens
So is the longer run time and slightly higher lumen rating worth an extra $33? It's a tough call, but I think the safety, longevity, limited risk of damage to my wiring harness from over amp'age, and (less so) extra brightness are enough to justify the extra $33. I hope they last a long time though!
Should be here in a few days, pictures in less than a week of all goes well.
My reasoning:
(1) longest life (longer than over amped 9005's or 9011's, similar run time to traditional 9006 bulbs)
(2) Correct wattage (related to above, but also easier on the alternator in the long term)
(3) Less risk of bothering other drivers with too much light leaking into their view, something no one likes.
Reasons against:
(1) Expensive - a pair of Philips Vision Plus bulbs from Aid-auto.com would have been $22 shipped, two 9012's were $55 shipped from Candlepower
Further, the 9011 bulbs would have been the same price and significantly brighter, but at a substantial loss of run time (apparently about 33% of the run time relative to the 9012 according to the technical spec sheets and Dan Stern Lighting, a great resource).
(2) Only slightly brighter than the VisionPlus 9005:
VisionPlus 9005 - 1700 lumens
Toshiba 9012 - 1875 lumens
So is the longer run time and slightly higher lumen rating worth an extra $33? It's a tough call, but I think the safety, longevity, limited risk of damage to my wiring harness from over amp'age, and (less so) extra brightness are enough to justify the extra $33. I hope they last a long time though!
Should be here in a few days, pictures in less than a week of all goes well.
09-25-2008, 11:11 PM
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pictures!
Conclusion:
Both substantially brighter and noticeably whiter (unexpected, probably due to aged bulbs - headlight housings are very clear and clean after being polished recently).
Basic comparison of before and after:
Other angle:
No lights:
OEM 9006 Stanley Bulbs (probably came with the car):
Driver side 9006 ---------------Passenger side 9011:
9011 bulbs on both sides:
And now from a different angle ...
OEM 9006 Stanley Bulbs (probably came with the car):
Driver side 9006 ---------------Passenger side 9011:
9011 bulbs on both sides:
Both substantially brighter and noticeably whiter (unexpected, probably due to aged bulbs - headlight housings are very clear and clean after being polished recently).
Basic comparison of before and after:
Other angle:
No lights:
OEM 9006 Stanley Bulbs (probably came with the car):
Driver side 9006 ---------------Passenger side 9011:
9011 bulbs on both sides:
And now from a different angle ...
OEM 9006 Stanley Bulbs (probably came with the car):
Driver side 9006 ---------------Passenger side 9011:
9011 bulbs on both sides: