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Hella 500??????'s

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Buzzbubby, Nov 18, 2010.

  1. Nov 18, 2010 at 5:37 PM
    #1
    Buzzbubby

    Buzzbubby [OP] Still Learning Member!

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    Nerf bars, vent shades, trifecta trifold tonneau cover, tinted windows stubby antenna...more to come
    I want to upgrade from 55w to 100w bulbs. Does anyone know if I have to make the 2 fuses in higher amps? And if so what amps. Also, what is the difference between the 500 and the 500ff? Thanks
     
  2. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:24 PM
    #2
    newfie8

    newfie8 Well-Known Member

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    Tinted windows all around. Fog lights. Intermittent wiper switch. Skid plate. Extra D rings. Grillcraft. Color matched grill. Hella 500ff HID behind grillcraft. Rcbs204 Lighting. 5100's up front. 265/75/16 Duratracs.Firestone riderites. Bora Wheel spacers. Tinted tails. De badged. Blacked out rims.
    Right now your a little over 9 amps and with the 200 watts you'll be just under 17 amps! You'll need a bigger fuse. Hella went from lens type dispersion(500) to a reflector dispersion(500ff). The 500ff are the new design and are supposed have a better pattern and i think they look cooler.
     
  3. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:29 PM
    #3
    t4daddy

    t4daddy Well-Known Member

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    The pattern on the FFs are sort of wierd, not bad, just strange. I have some mounted behind my billet grill with a 55 watt HID swap, they are mounted upside down and produce a "angel like" pattern.
     
  4. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:39 PM
    #4
    FIRESTARTER

    FIRESTARTER Member

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    The FF's have a beam pattern, which is pretty well suited for right in from of your vehicle, the standard 500's have a much narrower but longer range.

    I forget what my old 500's came with as for fuses, but I converted them to 55w hid's.

    on my 700ff's, they came with 20amp fuses which the 2 of them handled 4 100w halogens on stock wiring, but the sucky fuses it comes with were turning the white holder brown.

    20amp will be fine, but your going to want to upgrade your wiring to a heavier gauge, as well as switch over to a spade type fuse.


    I converted my 700ff's to 100w hid, they are amazingly bright, but the lowest bulb choice was 6000k so they are a little too blue. I also upgraded my wiring to 14ga and used a 40amp auto reset circuit breaker. if you go circuit breaker route, I'd suggest running 2 x 20amp, it was an oversight after installation when I realized I could lose all my lights not just half
     
  5. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:42 PM
    #5
    Snowman

    Snowman I have a problem for your solution…

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    Check out my build
    http://www.the12volt.com/ohm/page2.asp
    Just punch in total light power (watts) for each circuit and automotive is 12 volts. Then round the answer up to the nearest fuse amperage.
    That site is awesome for all electrical knowledge
     
  6. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:42 PM
    #6
    kinkrider101

    kinkrider101 Well-Known Member

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    Pics? ^^^ I like them blue
     
  7. Nov 22, 2010 at 9:11 PM
    #7
    ETAV8R

    ETAV8R Out DERP'n

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    Just the basics
    I've been trying to figure out what the difference is. What is the point of one vs the other? Seems like most off road applications would require a beam with a further reach than in front of the vehicle. The normal truck lights light up the area just in front but dont have the far reach.
     
  8. Nov 23, 2010 at 5:53 AM
    #8
    freshman

    freshman Well-Known Member

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    i have the older (1992) hella 500 comet; Germany (6 inch) and was able to use 100 watts each x 2 fog lights. I left the fuse alone (15 amp) as that is what it came with its harness. I chose not to bump up the fuse to protect the wiring too from possible high current draw. So far, so good and it is really bright.
     
  9. Nov 23, 2010 at 6:15 AM
    #9
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    If you upgrade the fuse, it'd be a good idea to upgrade the wiring. I'm not sure what came with the kit but make sure you're using a low enough gage wire to handle the power. If I had to guess I'd say in the neighborhood of 8 gage should do the trick.
     

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