Hey all, ive been trying to decide on what lights to get and i really want the Hella Black Magic 500. But after reading some reviews about the light output im starting to second guess them. Further diggin on google, i have found that some people are putting 100w bulbs in them and making the brighter. Can anyone here chime in about upgrading the 55w bulb to a 100w bulb? and the pros and cons? im worried about heat and melting them..lol

 

i have the hella 500 mounted on windshield and i'm very happy with them! go ahead

 

I had the black magic and I was very unsatisfied with the light output although they look awesome. There was someone on the forum who put hid in the housing and had amazing output.

 

55w x 2 = 110w / 12v = 9.16amps

100w x 2 = 200w / 12v = 16.6amps

So if you've got a 30amp relay, you should be fine. However, the wire gauge used might be smaller on the harness for a 55w combo & may not handle twice the load. I know my Hella 500s (55w) use 16 gauge wires because I just installed them and needed to buy more wire for ground.

 

Is the 16 gauge wires enough the handle the 100w bulbs? Thats my plan when i get them. If it is not good enough, what gauge should i run?

 

Yeah i think ive seen the youtube video about the HID conversion. I think the 100w bulb will make me happy. Dont get me wrong the upgrade to HID is amazing. I just need something i can flick on and see better for a short time.

 

Are you still running stock bulbs? or are your running the 100w?

 

I tried the 100 watt it kept cutting in and out so I switch to hid it only cost 80 to do it

 

I have the black magic 1000s as my windshield lights with 100 bulbs and it works great.

 

The wire packaging in the auto parts store usually has the max current the wire can handle.

However, I would be careful because you also have to consider the wire harness those lights usually come with, the bulb receptacle and anything else in the electrical path.

In those days of cost cutting everywhere I'm not betting on how much safety cushion those companies work with.