I had no idea where to post this (other than HIDPlanet). Anyway, my current retrofit is running a standard 4300k 35w setup that was just a kit from eBay that fit my budget to get my retrofit going. One of the ballasts is starting to die, so I invested in 50w replacement stuff at no extra expense. The bulbs are not OEMs of any kind, though, and produce WAY too much heat. I don't feel safe using them in my projectors. What I need to know is this: will OEM (i.e. Phillips) 35w bulbs handle the 50w ballasts? I know they'll WORK, but will it significantly reduce their lifespan? Is there a chance they could just blow for no reason?

 

The 85122 and 85122+ will be able to handle the 50watt ballast. They will shorten the lifespan of the bulb, but that all depends on how often you use your lights. The one thing that you will notice is that with 50watt ballast, you will wash out some of color. The 85122+ will be straight up yellow, but very bright. The 85122 will start out with the same yellow color of the 85122+ but will colorshift over time to a more white output. The DL50 bulbs are probably the best bulbs to use as they are true 50watt bulbs but they are very expensive!

 

They'll blow, but it won't be for no reason. Some 55w ballasts out there are selectable between 35, and 55. If yours don't do that, I don't suggest using them on your 35 watt bulbs. They'll either burn slowly, or explode inside the projector. At the very least, they'll burn out in no time....and you'll be lucky if that's all they do.

Get yourself a set of 55W bulbs.

 

What the hell are you talking about? Using true OEM 35 watt bulbs with 55 watt ballast will not cause an explosion inside the projector, neither will having a nonvariable wattage ballast. Will bulb life be reduced? yes! Explosion? no.

Only true 55 watt only the market is the DL50 and they are very very expensive. i.e. $100+ per bulb. He will be just fine with the 85122(+). So long as the initial yellow doesn't bother him.

 

I think you have the + and non+ backwards. Isn't the point of the + to STAY yellow so it doesn't lose overall lumens over time by colorshifting?

Anyway, glad to hear that. By the way, this is 50w not 55w. Small difference, I know, but one worth mentioning when dealing with something that has such a comparatively low wattage rating to begin with. I am seeing "lightly used" 85122+'s on eBay for $50 shipped. I am considering buying those because even if one should suffer a short lifespan for some reason I have my backup 35w system to throw in if need be. What do you think? I've never bought used capsules and there's no real guarantee how well used these are.

 

they did temperature testing on HIDPlanet and a 35w 85122 bulb running on a 55 watt ballast is still significantly cooler than a 55w kit bulb. The DL50 was a little better output and ran a little cooler, but not a very noticeable difference, and it costs like 4 times as much.

kit bulbs in general are bad news - 85122 or + will work fine at 55w, and still last significantly longer than halogen bulbs do. And at about $50/pair on ebay, they're almost as cheap as good halogen bulbs like Nightbreakers.

 

yes the 85122+ stays yellow while the 85122 colorshifts to a more whiter output...