Originally Posted by GraphiteGhost

I have seen many 'ratings' of power output on auto bulbs, especially sourced from a third world supplier. They sometimes screw up and list wattage and current draw to placate people into buying them. When they do, I laugh because it is easy to 'do the math' and see their claims are a bunch of BS. If they are using shorter strands of filament and drawing higher current, then that would explain the higher wattage load. The light produced in lumens and color temperature plus the voltage and current drawn (also) depends on the filament used and the gasses within. Osram bulbs (if not knockoffs) can be counted on for current/voltage/lumens/color temperature. If using a higher wattage bulb (for the voltages available, remember the lamp bus varies some), then you must be sure through diligence, that the wiring/fusing is adequate for the load being put on it. If not then the weakest link will be easily found. Sometimes, that is the base of the bulb or the housing it is installed in. The seller doesn't care if you melt your stuff or if you get a ticket. You haven't gotten a ticket yet because (we both know) your supposed to 'dim' you high beams when approaching others.

Having one in with another type of bulb must look interesting to oncoming traffic. I tend to try to balance the look others see when approaching me in traffic. I do not think I would ever use 100 watt lamps in my car, for the reasons you indicate (possible damage of housing). Having them as 'high' beams might be OK for a short period of time (on too long they may overheat), I don't drive with high beams just use them for a brief time to clarify or enhance (well, yes I do use them as revenge for people who do not turn theirs down when approaching me but that's another story for some other post right?). I would say (because I have excellent field of view with my regular headlights aimed as they are) that maybe some folks have their headlights aimed incorrectly. I also see that a lot with oncoming traffic. A hint to all who try adjusting their headlight aim. Have a full tank of fuel, and your normal travelling load in the vehicle. I cannot tell you how often people align theirs (or try to they never seem to get them even close according to the mess I see when they approach in traffic) and then stuff all sorts of stuff in the car/bed and they go down the road with their headlights above the horizon. Those guys actually look better with their high beams on because they aim much higher by design and do not blind as much. The real fun part of night driving lately, is seeing all the odd colors of headlights coming at me lately. Jeeze, gone are the days of yellow, white lamps. Now there is yellow, blue, purple, white, in various degrees of intensity. Poor cops have a time with the ordinances there unless they like handing out tickets to supply them with new cruisers every couple of years.
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