Legal status of 100W bulbs in high-beam?

[Josho]

Recieved my Hella's earlier and just realised that whoever had 'em before put 100W highs in them. What's the legality of this? Really wanna put them on but are they illegal?

If so I'll have to get some 55w as it's MOT is soon.

Other then that they're pretty cool. Cracked cover but I'll get another, then just a bit of a clean on the inside where the engine bay has the road crap getting thrown up but I've bought a 1.9D engine cover for it for fifteen quid so we'll see if it helps.

So yeah, legal or not?

Thanks. 

[Len]

Is it only on the main beam? Or dipped? Or both?

[Josho]

Is it only on the main beam? Or dipped? Or both?

Just the full (main) others are 55w.

[Josho]

Oh forgot to ask. Is the stock wiring really up to that?

I'm ordering 5M of 10AWG wire, would it be worthwhile upgrading the HELLA wiring to 10AWG? I have all the connectors they use.

[Len]

Might be legal then. But I'm not sure about it!

Why not try VOSA to see if their website has any info.


Also those bulbs may cause fuses to blow and maybe the wiring not up to it!

[boneybradley]

the wiring is/should be fine as mine was running 100w main before i fitted some 6500k bulbs (which although 55w they are brighter!! and legal for dip too)

[Josho]

OK might stick 'em on.

Gotta ask someone to move it on the drive. It's stupid, it is just over the road in a bay, facing the drive, just the road between it, traffic lights due to roadworks, and I can't move it over that three meters of road. 

[Wayne]

Yes it is illegal, 100watt bulbs are always marked for off highway use only.

Also you stock wiring / switch may not cope.

[Josho]

OK cheers Wayned. Turns out the H1's are blown anyway so I'll get a full set.

Want HIDs but am now wondering if I should just go uprated bulbs route. It's not really my car and although my dad lets me do things to it, I guess it's unfair if they got pulled.

Fitted one of them anyway, passenger. Beam is a little lower them the stock and I think that the Hella has a slightly brighter output. Will tell when dark.

[Len]

If you have true Hella's you will find that they are fine as they are!