Lets talk fog lights

Roscopcoletrain · July 14, 2014

Noticed I have a bulb out. Like most of you, I get the "when it breaks, replace it with something better" frame of mind going

5202 bulb. Seems like a few options, stock bulb, LED or hid upgrade.

Hid seems like more then I want to spend.

LED seemed like a good choice, but after reading some reviews, seems like many are unhappy with the leds. Seems like it doesnt focus the light like the stock bulb and just tosses it out like a flood light. Probably not what I want to do.

What about these Projector type leds?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2pcs-HID-White-H16-5202-CREE-COB-LED-Projector-Bulbs-For-Fog-Daytime-Lights-/291162507567?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43caa3492f&vxp=mtr&_uhb=1

Any other options I missed? Thoughts?

waumo1 · July 15, 2014

The foglights with the 24 watt 5202 lamp are garbage. The lamp is rated 500 lumens. The LED you link to are rated about the same so I don't think it will do much to improve the situation. I did replace mine with 35W HIDs and adjust not to blind oncoming drivers.

Our 2010 Jeep uses a 45W halogen lamp in the fogs and they are great. Unfortunately most all manufacturers have now switched to the 24W lamp because they can use cheaper all plastic housings.

Roscopcoletrain · July 15, 2014

So basically replace with stock bulb unless I want to go HID..

hmm, may take a chance on the Putco 230001sw Ion white bulbs

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts/gm_fog_light_bulbs_-_ion_spark_white/6040/putcop45230001sw-.aspx

demonte1997 · July 15, 2014

I'd go with HIDs. You could probably get the kit on ebay for $30/shipped. That would put out the most light.

LEDs are nice and they are almost getting to the point where they will be useful for a foglamp application. But, for now, they only look nice and don't really put out the focused beam of light that you'd want. I put in a projector fog bulb in my car and the light color is nice but you can't even tell when I put them on from inside the car. Pretty damn useless.

Justinlw · July 15, 2014

I pulled my housings out and installed 55w KC 57 series fogs in their place. I tried many different aftermarket bulbs. The brighter you get, the less the light pattern actually puts light on the road.

Roscopcoletrain · July 15, 2014

Thanks for the feed back . Ordered the Purell off Amazon. Hopefully won't be too disappointed.

Roscopcoletrain · July 22, 2014

and I was disappointed lol.

One bulb came broken. the filament inside was busted off. So back they're going to amazon.

25w 5000k HID kit ordered.

demonte1997 · July 23, 2014

You mean 35w right?

I have that kit in the fogs on my Denali and it puts out an insane amount of light. The other thing that helped was putting in new fog housings. I got a good deal on a set on ebay. Initially I got them for aesthetic reasons but the light output change was incredible. The old housings had serious chrome contamination and that wasn't reflecting the light outwards as designed.

Roscopcoletrain · July 23, 2014

nope. They make a 25 watt kit.

demonte1997 · July 24, 2014

Huh... didn't realize they make 25w kits now too. Very interesting. Throw up pics when you get them. Hopefully they have the light output you're looking for.

Roscopcoletrain · July 24, 2014

Will do!

Although I have to get in touch with the company today. The tracking # they gave me shows the lights shipped to San Francisco and someone signed for them. I assume they sent me the wrong tracking # as I'm no where near SF LOL