Not worth it when you can buy HIDs for the same price and they will LAST!

 

I received Silverstars as a gift. I wouldn't go out and buy them for myself though.

However I've had them for 17 months without a problem.

As a 30 year professional in the power industry (I did a great deal of facility HID lighting in the '80s), I'd stay away from automotive aftermarket HIDs as well. There are no filaments to burn out, but there is the potential for an exponential amount of other problems with them. Arc tubes require a high amount of energy for ignition. Successful voltage conversion is very tricky with a low voltage DC input.

 

Old automotive HID kits used to spike at as many as 15A+ per ballast upon ignition.

Newer HID kits ignite at about 7A per ballast on average and after the full cycle, run at a consistent 2A. Double this for a typical automotive setup since there are 2 ballasts, one per side.

Here is an old kit... scary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCqjSLUIkjk

And here is a new style...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSeQ...eature=related

 

I reallty liked the silverstar ultras, they were a lot brighter than a standard halogen bulb. It seems that lately their lifespan is shorter. I had them last for over 3 years in my fiero and I was driving 100 miles a day half of that in the dark. Those were the sealed beams (6054) and they seemed to last longer. I had the silverstars , not even the brighter ultras,in my 09 hhr and they only lasted a year with a lot less night driving but the drl's are on so that could be part of the problem. They just released the ultras for our car ,H13 ,and I am debating on whether to try them. Phillps also makes a brighter bulb (extreme) and I am debating about giving them a try. I am not sure about an hid kit yet, I need to see more of them before I would think about it.

 

another one bites the dust. This time I got a full year out of the left side before it went out today. I want to upgrade to something better.

wh-wh-what? The same price?

with a little searching around the site....are you talking about these
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W

Do you run them? If so then we need to have a little chat.

 

I've had my PIAA's in for almost 4 years now.....standard wattage but at 4500K. Not had any problems....yet!

 

Lucky you! Our PIAA's seem to last about 6 months on the left side and 12 months on the right ! We've become a pro at quick changeouts though !

Thank's to ebay we keep a spare set in our center dash consol for emergencies .....

 

^^^^^THAT"S FUNNY^^^^

I keep my OEM's in the glove box also.

 

I got tired of the Silverstars going out, wunt with HIDs HILO H13 8000k 3 years and love them, have not had anyone flash me.

 

got a link?

I'd also like to see a night picture if possible. I see a lot of people saying that HIDs work well in our stock housings but I have yet to see a good comparison picture or it in person.