High Wattage Bulbs Draining Battery?

[Bludger]

I've just fitted some new xenon headlight bulbs with a higher wattage than my standard bulbs, and have now had a problem with my battery.

Now, this may be a coincidence, but does anyone know whether a higher rated bulb could drain the battery to a point where it won't turn the engine?

The bulbs are 12V 100/90W which is almost double the wattage of the original ones, and when I switch them on, the battery indicator on the dash does drop a little bit. I can't say whether the indicator dropped anyway when the lights went on.

All I know is that the car wouldn't start last night, and when I replaced the battery, it started first time.

Do you think I should change the bulbs back and re-charge the battery, or is it a coincidence, and my battery is shot? Any thoughts?

Merry Xmas to all you fellow Surfers !! May the new year bring reduced Diesel prices and the s****ping of the alternative fuel tax.

[AndyLala]

If your bulbs are only twice the output of the previous.. then they should only drain twice the amount of the originals...


If you only use your headlights whilst the engine is running... it shouldn't be a problem...

You are more likely to have a problem with the wiring to the headlights, than the battery.

The battery guage does dip a little when you turn the lights on.

I'd say it is probably a coincidence... how old was the battery?

[usafric]

I have had the higher wattage bulbs in for about a year now with no problems, sounds like a coincidence...

[Bludger]

If your bulbs are only twice the output of the previous.. then they should only drain twice the amount of the originals...


If you only use your headlights whilst the engine is running... it shouldn't be a problem...

You are more likely to have a problem with the wiring to the headlights, than the battery.

The battery guage does dip a little when you turn the lights on.

I'd say it is probably a coincidence... how old was the battery?

I've only had the car since Feb this year, and havn't changed the batteries. The car was imported in January and the batteries have a lot of Japanese writing, so they could be 10years old if they've never been changed. I didn't get any books or history with it, so can't tell if they have been changed.

Looks like a trip to the bank to the remortgage the house, then off to halfrauds for a new battery.

[surfenstein]

I've only had the car since Feb this year, and havn't changed the batteries. The car was imported in January and the batteries have a lot of Japanese writing, so they could be 10years old if they've never been changed. I didn't get any books or history with it, so can't tell if they have been changed.

Looks like a trip to the bank to the remortgage the house, then off to halfrauds for a new battery.

can you not get ,halfrauds to do a discharge test on the batteries first to make sure they are knackered.

[Toad]

You will probably find the battery is knackered, the cold weather is taking its toll this year, for every degree below zero the temp goes it reduces the battery crank ampage by half. I found this out from my local battery specialist who for the last few years has had to start opening on saturdays as business was slow due to the mild winters. but not this year!!!

[Pete]

Did you disconnect the batteries to change the bulbs? If so, check the connections are tight. I ran those bulbs without problems too, though I did have new batteries fitted about a year earlier.

Pete

[Bludger]

I've had the batteries checked at Halfords, and they said that the batteries weren't receiving any charge from the alternator. The belts are a bit knackered, so it could be that, but I reckon it's going to be the alternator is knackered. Just in time for Christmas!!

If anyone is driving down the M5 on Saturday afternoon, and you see a blue Surf on the hard shoulder, could you please stop and give me a lift?!

Halfords have said if they can get the parts on Firday, they will be able to sort it out. There's £300 blown.

Just a thought? - If the battery level gets too low due to the cold weather as mentioned in the post below, could it get to a point where the alternator just won't charge it? Maybe this is the problem?

I've put the battery on charge, and it is right down to almost empty.

I wonder? Any feedback would be much appreciated, as I don't want to take it in tomorrow and pay £300 for the mechanic to tinker about under the bonnet and then just charge up the battery!

[AndyLala]

Get the alternator rebuilt...


If the batteries have run that low... under 10.5v, then damage could have happened. If they are deep cycle batteries, then you may be able to recover them. If not, then they should get some back (but not all)... Check that the alternator is not moving about (one of the bolts worked loose, or broken - had that). New alternator belt... etc...

As you say this isn't going to be cheap...

If you have to buy new batteries, get some good quality ones... (note: I didn't say expensive) so that this doesn't bite you again.

[Hawaii]

our local qwik-fit are doing 85cca batteries (I think the 2 battery surf's have to be 75cca minimum)
for £44.95 each in 3 yr warrenty & VAT

ta

hawaii

[Sparky]

I've just fitted some new xenon headlight bulbs with a higher wattage than my standard bulbs, and have now had a problem with my battery.

Now, this may be a coincidence, but does anyone know whether a higher rated bulb could drain the battery to a point where it won't turn the engine?

The bulbs are 12V 100/90W which is almost double the wattage of the original ones, and when I switch them on, the battery indicator on the dash does drop a little bit. I can't say whether the indicator dropped anyway when the lights went on.

All I know is that the car wouldn't start last night, and when I replaced the battery, it started first time.

Do you think I should change the bulbs back and re-charge the battery, or is it a coincidence, and my battery is shot? Any thoughts?

Merry Xmas to all you fellow Surfers !! May the new year bring reduced Diesel prices and the s****ping of the alternative fuel tax.

try using the ignition preheat 2 or 3 times before going to the starter when you first start in a morning, it works for me.
also chech the head light terminals and wiring for sighns of heat damage or melting due to over wattage lamps.