X-AWDriver

I just bought my Hella 550s just a month and half ago and I had clear stone shields over them and while the shields are fine both lights underneath have cracks already across the whole light.

WTF? Should this be covered by Hella or am I screwed?

I'll be calling Hella direct soon. Errrrrrrrrr! This irks me.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Sounds like you forgot to turn the lights off perhaps when you were not moving as the clear stone shields make the lens get too hot and crack with no constant airflow??

EDIT: From Hella concerning the clear stone covers..."If you are running higher wattage bulbs than came with the lamps these are not for you. The excessive heat from the bulbs and the Stone Shields' tendency to insulate the lamp can contribute to a cracked lens. Additionally, with standard wattage bulbs, if your lamps are on and you sit stationary for any more than a few minutes with no airflow over them, you also run the risk of cracking a lens. You must remember to turn off your lamps when sitting stationary. Neither of these conditions will be covered by any warranty."

X-AWDriver

Awww,geez.

I didn't get any paperwork with them except for instructions and I didn't see that note anywhere. Damn,I guess I gotta suck it up and buy new ones eventually but since they still work I'm not gonna worry about it yet.

Thanks

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news....

runnerboy97

So does the heat issue while sitting still only pertain to when you have the clear covers on, or if they are uncovered also. I sat with the lights on for a good half hour the other night helping with a vehicle recovery, but i dont have the clear covers. I never even looked or felt the lights afterwards to see how hot they were.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

The heat issue only applies with the clear covers and sitting still OR with putting in higher wattage bulbs period. Do either and the lenses will likely crack.

runnerboy97

Good to know, cause i was lookin at getting a set of clear covers for my lights.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

I have been running the clear covers for a few years now.
Yep, ya gotta be moving with them on or the heat will build up.

Hopfully Hella can work this with you.

X-AWDriver

I'm sure mine cracked last nite when I was driving in town and forgot that they were on,I normally was only using them when it was snowing out and I think the snow keeps them cooled but my around town driving,even tho' it's cold out,didn't coll them enough.

Cebby

Never heard of that problem with PIAA's...

Fink

Me neither, makes me re-think my choice of Hellas here in the near future...

Fink

HaveBlue

If you do replace your lamps, drill a couple small holes in the stone shields so that the air can circulate.

95_4X4Runner

I put these on, which look very similar to KC Daylighters, but they're 55 watts, and still get plenty hot when sitting still for a couple minutes. I like how the stainless steel wire loom looks coming out of the back, then I ran 1/4" loom the rest of the way to the relay.

rwmorrisonjr

Cool idea, will do that for my 500's when I order the stone shields next week.

X-AWDriver

I wouldn't mind a set of PIAAs but those can be broken too and I'd rather replace the Hellas at $70 a set than a set of PIAAs.

RTdawgs

time to crank up the drill. great idea to drill the clear covers.

rjm

i had the same thing happen to my 500's. i emailed hella and had a new one in less than a week-free!!

JSharp

Or Cibie's, or Marchal's...

Anyone who's tiired of messing with the Hella's, here's one place you can still get good lights -

http://lighting.mbz.org/home.html

keisur

you should try LightForces

goretro77

I have Hellas Driving lights and 550s and have yet to crack the lenses (knock on wood). I use 'em almost all the time and never cover them, but I guess that's why they don't crack.

Sorry bout the lense trouble. Never knew they can crack that way.