55 watt HIDs in 2010+ halogen projectors = meltdown?

[nguy3nha]

i have a 2011 mazda 3 with the halogen projectors.. I used to have 35watt hid bulbs but I wonder if by using the 55watt ones, will i melt my projectors? Our projectors seem very small so lots of heat may be concentrated in the small area with a 55 watt hid bulb

[Booter22]

i have heard that the 35W is best to use in the plastic housing lights, and 55w for the older glass lens, a friend of mine put 55w hids in his truck headlights and fogs and... well he had to put out some high $$ for the replacement parts. be safe and go with the 35W

[sp3GT]

i have a 2011 mazda 3 with the halogen projectors.. I used to have 35watt hid bulbs but I wonder if by using the 55watt ones, will i melt my projectors? Our projectors seem very small so lots of heat may be concentrated in the small area with a 55 watt hid bulb

There is definitely increased heat with 55Watt HID, the bulb life tends to be short with 55W kits.

Generally, 55W kits are troublesome.

[nguy3nha]

yea, 35watts are plenty bright for the road.. The last thing i want is a melted housing.. $$$

[js593]

Our stock H11 bulbs are 55W bulbs. HID's put out the equivilant in amperage, which in electrical conductivity, is the same in heat(plus or minus 2-3 degree's depending on conductivity of metal, and bulb manufacturing quality) . Ive been running 55W with relay harness from DDM for 4 months now. Not a single issue. The only reason bulbs burn out is if you touch them. 95% of DIY "mechanics" touch the bulb.

[Booter22]

Our stock H11 bulbs are 55W bulbs. HID's put out the equivilant in amperage, which in electrical conductivity, is the same in heat(plus or minus 2-3 degree's depending on conductivity of metal, and bulb manufacturing quality) . Ive been running 55W with relay harness from DDM for 4 months now. Not a single issue. The only reason bulbs burn out is if you touch them. 95% of DIY "mechanics" touch the bulb.

not to sure if it makes that much of a difference or not but i am pretty sure the stock bulbs headlights and fogs are 51W, least thats what i remember seeing on the ones i took out of the two cars we have, if 4W makes or breaks for a difference in regards to heat who know. but in the long run play it safe and stick with the 35W kit, at the worst case you burn out your HID kit, where as the 55W can / could run too hot and melt the head light assemblys, and for say an $80 kit vs 300 - 600 per headlight assembly ( cant remember what the retail is on them) not really worth 600- 1200 if you went with the higher kit at 55W.

but to each there own i suppose.