I installed Sylvania Silverstar high and low beam bulbs about 10 months ago and both low beams burned out last night.
What has your experience been with headlight bulb longevity?
This is a Canadian truck so the daytime running lights are always on so I'm sure its a contributing factor.
Just curious if others have seen the short bulb life that I have.At 50 bucks a pair I wish they would last longer than a short year!
Blake

I have noticed that with any upgraded bulb they only last a short time.
I couldn't get the silver stars to last more than 6 months. I went back to stock and they have been burning fine for 8 months now.
They might burn out on the way home but they have been good so far.
Mike

The silverstars are only rated for 150 hours at 12.8Volts according to their website and product literature. Factory bulbs are rated at 1500 hours.

Another tidbit about S-stars is that for each 5% you go over 12.8 Volts, it cuts bulb life in half. So with my Kennedy harness putting 14.76Volts at the bulb, that equates to an 1/8th of the life of 150 hours. So my s-stars only last 20 or so hours.

That is why I will be switching to real HID replacement bulbs that fit in the stock housing.

John

If you dig through Sylvania's web site and find the fine print, you will see that all Silverstar bulbs have very short lives compared to normal bulbs. Main reason I never bothered to try try them.

dont run the S stars but my phillips Rallye bulbs (70W low, 100W high) have been on the truck for 18 months and still going. heat, cold and frequent use has not killed them yet. Shame they are not available anymore, talk about light output !

marc

I have had the PIAA brite whites installed since the truck was new (2/01) with no burnouts.....

The only bulbs I have replaced have been the factory DRL's...

I had some cheapy Nokya Bulbs that lasted forever and some PIAA's that lasted a long time as well. All my sylvanias and others have only lasted a short time, under 6 mos... Just from what I have experienced...

Put some Sylvania's in on Sunday afternoon and one of the low beams lasted until last evening. Best I can tell, a total running time of under 2 hours. Way, way overrated I guess. Back to the stockers.

dont run the S stars but my phillips Rallye bulbs (70W low, 100W high) have been on the truck for 18 months and still going. heat, cold and frequent use has not killed them yet. Shame they are not available anymore, talk about light output !

marcThese bulbs are still available you just need to know where to get them, I just ordered more today.

Ok Bassin...out with it :-)
Where do you go to get the phillips Rallye bulbs?
I'm going to be needing some replacements pretty soon.

BassinRVer,

From England?

I don't want to let you know the supplier. I got to protect my resources. They may be the only one who has them.

BassinRVer,

From England?I give a little hint, it's not England but a supplier from Canada. Another hint, I found this supplier on this site about 6-8 months ago. I'm sure a search should find that original post of the supplier in Canada.

Good read on silverstar's here

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/good/good.html

Wow more info than I had hoped!
I like the light output and color but I'll be changing once this next set goes.
I found it weird they went out on the same night.
Talk about planned obsolescence!-:t
The Phillips ralley bulbs I had before didn't last any longer than the Sylvania ones did.
Oh well live and learn.
You guys rule!!!!:ro)
Thanks!
Blake

That's why I went with HIR 9012 for my 2004.5. Long life like the factory bulbs and better light output than SilverStars.

OK OK stop PM'ing me. It is Saskatoon Diesel Services out of Canada. Their number is 306-242-7644. Make sure you ask for the Rally bulbs and not the normal ones. The first time I ordered from them last March they sent me the regular bulbs and not the Rally bulbs but charged me for the Rally bulbs and had to send them back. Just remember they are not cheap and if you ask what they charge for them remember they give prices in Canadian rates.

I went with the HIR for both hi and low beams. I had to trim the tabs on the housing to get them to fit in, but they have been running for 9 months now. As long as they continue to hold up, they will be worth the $160 for 4 bulbs. The light output is unmatched. I got them from Stern.

Chris, are they brigter than the Phillips Rallye bulbs? Or have you had the rallye bulbs before?

I have not had the Rallye. I did have some 70W and 100W before these. I think these put out more light. Maybe we can compare at the next GTG. Where's SB? Is it time?

I went with the HIR for both hi and low beams. I had to trim the tabs on the housing to get them to fit in, but they have been running for 9 months now. As long as they continue to hold up, they will be worth the $160 for 4 bulbs. The light output is unmatched. I got them from Stern. Chris,who is stern?
Bassin,imho the Silverstars are brighter than the ralley bulbs I had previously.
I love the light output but I'm leaning towards what Chris is running if he's getting good light/life out of them.
Blake

Chris,

We are past due for a GTG!!! Hey SilverBullet, where are you man!!! We need you to plan another great GTG!!! unfortunately it will probably after the holidays :( .

MaxRock

I have not heard from SB in a while. I do not like the blue tint on the Silverstar even thought it is only slighty blue. I ordered the HIR bulbs from Stern, he has the best price out there. Nice to here from yall - Chris and MaxRock, can't wait to the next GTG.

My lowbeams SS's lasted about 18 months, guess I was lucky. Went back to relatively stock lows. Highs are still SS's but I don't run them nearly as often.