So i put in some PIAA h3 fogs, and can't even tell they're on....serious.

I don't know what kind of hands you ppl got but I had a *****ing time putting the lights in. Hated every min. of it.

Can we adjust the aiming of the Fogs? I'll find out later on today but wanted to ask if anyone has had any experience...

 

if you wanted to know, I put in

PIAA Spark Blues
7500k H3's

 

u might of not put them in correctly. (someone else posted same problem & found they weren't in correctly) it will be even more difficult to adjust them. should be screws to adjust, but not sure how u would even see them. i have to check my service manny at home later.

sorry bout the frustration. that's why i had my friend do all the work. his hans are a lot smaller than mine. took him forever on the pass side, but quicker on the driver side.

 

I was thinking that as well, but the little metal clamps make sure the bulbs are set in correctly. I got a good look at the driver side bulb and it seems to be installed correctly (i could be wrong...). Both fog beam patterns are the same so I assum. I've used these Spark Blues before in HB spec but these H3's... i SERIOUSLY can't tell they're on. HONEST.

 

..Excuse the mess..

--FOGs--


Facts:-Manual states them being 55w.
-Fog Light projector made by Stanley (printed right on the lid).
-Fogs are in H3 Spec size.

My Observations:
-Stock *FACTORY* (as in straight from the production line) H3 Fogs have a bluish tint on the bulbs. Aftermarket OEMs don't.
-Aftermarket bulbs produce 1/3 - 1/2 LESS light than stock when following manual's recommendations. (silverstars/piaa, you name it...all trash compared to stock output WHY!!??)

Some Possibilities:
-Manual is WRONG. High possibility that wattage is *in fact* 100w!!!

-Very Strong possibility that stock bulbs are made by one of these 'trusted' companies that produce oem equipment:
-Hella
-Stanley
-Sylvnia
-Osram
-Philips

-I think some of the people with blown fogs being replaced with over wattage bulbs. Why? The stealerships are too cheap to buy *recommended* nissan parts and instead take it upon themselves to buy industry standard equipment.

The questions ...
-WHO makes the stock bulbs?
-What wattage are they ...REALLY?


H3 info:
--------------------
Can come in many flavors. (true wattage draw)
-12v & 55w <-- I still think these are too low
-12v & 85w <-- These could be it...
-12v & 100w <-- Stongest possibility. Still somewhat high for an H3 though. But ARE sold and can be bought almost anywhere.
-12v & 110w <-- Not too many places sell these.
-12v & 120w <-- I think PIAA are the only manf to make these.
-Also come in 24v variations but for OLDER cars and offroad vehicles?

**If the bulbs are indeed 100w, they could more easily blow fuses, burn out, need replacements. CHEAP oem equivalent 100w H3s (i.e. I know Hella sells some) have an EXTREMELY LOW LIFE. 1/4 the life of say oem osram H3's. To all the ppl that have blown fogs numerous times, it could be that the stealerships are buying some cheapo 100w bulbs.

I found some average numbers:
H3 12V 55W...1290 lumens.
H3 12V 100W...2300 lumens.

THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. The difference is incredible.

*Maybe the factory screwed up, and put 100w bulbs instead of 55w. Whateve the case I'll take the $12 over my $80 Piaa that I just bought ANY DAY.

 

jasonjm - Is there any way you can cover the headlights while parked directly facing a wall? That way, you can see where the light from the fogs is going.

Foglights should be aimed lower than low beams. Their effectivness in fog is primarily because they are aimed UNDER the part of the fog the driver is looking into, thus reducing the glare that blinds the driver's view.

On level ground, I would feel the center of the beam from the fogs should be hitting the ground no more than 25 or 30 feet in front of the car. I used to adjust mine down to 20 feet, as I often drove in absolute peasoup on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and didn't dare go over 20 mph with the dropoffs lurking at the roadside there.



edit - And, if (as with many young drivers) you are primarily concerned with the LOOKS of the fogs, then there is no reason NOT to aim them low, as the annoyance of mis-adjusted fogs (on oncoming drivers) is one of the most common complaints of motorists.

 

They are aimed properly. When i switch back to stock they're super bright.

So today i dropped the car off to the dealer, picked up a rental (even for warranty work they wouldn't give me a loaner!! ..punks...). It's a 2005 Grand Am .

What a complete piece of sh*t.

 

I just replaced my fogs with Piaa H3 yellow (85W). I looked at the stock bulb and it says right on it: "Osram 55W" But wait, I had one replaced so I looked at the other one and it says" Tungsram 55W" I suppose this is the replaced one?
Anyways I was parked aimed towards a wall and they are super bright, I am stoked on the look, beam wise and colorwise. I also replaced the blinkers with yellow hid bulbs instead of orange to match the fogs better (I had put whites in last weekend but I wasn't feelling the look of them, they look much better now, more amber than orange)
I'll post pics sometime this weekend...

 

yeah man post that. i considered swapping turns to match my ion fogs, but instead chrome amber/orange that only blink. check my car domain

yeah the osram are stock. did u use 55w/85w piaa or just 85w?

 

The thing is guys, I got the bi-xenons. I stuck in the crystal Ions and they could hardly cut through the already bright *** xenons lighting up the road. The crystal ions are slightly brighter than the spark blue, but still nothing in comparrison to stock. The Xenons are just too bright...

I just orderd some Philips Premium 'Plus 30' bulbs. I expect these to be brighter than stock and are spec'd to 55w but actually draw upwards to 65w. Ordering them from the UK. They're clear bulbs not painted. Will let you know the details.

 

I read the first autoexpress article back in 03 about the bulbs but they didn't have H3 back then. Now they do. At first i wanted the 'Plus 50' but the don't make H3s in that format right now.

The big deal about the Plus 30s is that they should seem brighter because of a tighter filament creating a better beam focus which throws light further. In the case for the projected fogs it will be brighter since the lens do a great job of focus and throw.

 

man, h3 is like crack for u. all i know, with my 55W PIAA ions i have to look beyond the flooding bright yellow infront of me to notice my HIDs. guess you'll be opening an eBay store soon. hope u find some that work for you.

 

I've always wanted to sell something stuff ebay...:-P

 

i meant 'some stuff '