padgett Posted July 12, 2001 Share Posted July 12, 2001 The standard Reatta fog light bulb is a 889 - 27.5 watts/540 lumens or about half the output of am H1 driving light. Is a good listing on <A HREF="http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/info/bulbs/bulb_types/" TARGET=_blank>http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/info/bulbs/bulb_types/</A> <P>Has anyone tried an 896 (37.5w/940L) or 886 (50w/1255L) in the Reatta lamps and did anything melt ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted July 13, 2001 Author Share Posted July 13, 2001 Actually may have a better answer unless things get overstressed. <P>Had an order going to JCW that came to $136 & they were having a "no shipping charge on orders over $150" so if there was another $14, it would save $10.95 s&h). Noticed a pair of rectangular mini fog lights (H3 bulb - 55W) for $19.95. Essentially they would cost $9. 3"x3.5". 12zx3321t<P>Masured Reatta fogs and came to 3.5"x6.5" so would fit.<P>Came today and mounting was easier than I thought. 4 nuts with a 10 mm socket (NOT the ones that require a 13 mm) and pop the connector and the fog light assembly was in hand. Better, the new mini light mount lined up perfectly with the slot where the bottom adjustment went.<P>All that was required was to drill that hole out to 3/8" (will need washers to reinstall stock light) and mount - light is nicely centered in the opening. Is quite a bit narrower than the original (almost square) but suspect the additional air intake area in front of the radiator can't hurt.<P>Now the only question is this: the original lights were 27.5W - @12.8v that is 4.25 amps total. The line is a .8 (18AWG) and fused to 10 amps. The new lamps are double that or 8.5 amps and @13.4v is going to increase that to almost 9 amps. Within 10% of the fuse & wire rating.<P>Has anyone done this ? (at least there is a relay in the circuit so not much is at riak but it is clear back in the console so load is in bundle (which derates the wire) and through the bulkhead connector. Am tempted to add another relay but that will take a bit more work.<p>[ 07-12-2001: Message edited by: padgett ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 The use of higher wattage fog lamp bulbs will not only stress the electrical wiring but the extra wattage will be given off in heat, which will melt the plastic fog lamp housing and plastic lens.<P>Don't do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted July 13, 2001 Author Share Posted July 13, 2001 Move from 27.5w to 37.5w (889 to 896) should not stress too much but was wondering if anyone had tried. In the case of the 55w H3s, this is a coplete lamp assembly with glass lens. In that case was more concerned about wiring load so may just add a relay/new wiring (16ga) to handle.<P>Was wanting to hear from anyone who had done something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcams76 Posted February 17, 2002 Share Posted February 17, 2002 Padgett how did those fog lights work out?<P>Could you also post another link for the car in the driveway, I'm tired of searching.<BR>Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mgibson Posted February 17, 2002 Share Posted February 17, 2002 1989 Reatta uses GE 881 bulb but the output is same as Padgett's. I've owned one for about 1 1/2 years and this forum has been a lifesaver, especially info on the brakes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 17, 2002 Author Share Posted February 17, 2002 Pictures are at <a href="http://www2.gdi.net/~padgett/">my web site</a> under "Reatta". I did replace the lamps entirely with much smaller units that came with H4 bulbs. Do not care for the pattern much but are bright.<P>Foglights on GM cars before about 1992 did not seem to do much but the current ones are much brights. Drove one Avis Grand Prix quite a ways before realizing only the fog lights were on.<P>Amazing how much on new cars seems to have been introduced on the Reatta/Allante in the '80s.<p>[ 02-17-2002: Message edited by: padgett ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcams76 Posted February 17, 2002 Share Posted February 17, 2002 Thanks........great site. I searched for that photo for over an hour and a half last night never did find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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