Snow plow lighting help

[freak007]

Hello, long time lurker, finally had to join because a search wouldn't answer my question. Sorry in advance for the rambling.

I have a Boss snowplow that uses their SL2 light pods (made by JW Speaker). Lenses are in good shape, reflectors are decent, but definitely not perfect. I have not done a voltage test, but I fully expect to see 13.7-14.2 at the bulbs. The plow harness is relayed with 1 relay per bulb, all the connections were cleaned/repaired as needed last fall (2023). The plow harness is wired so that when the high beams are on, all 4 bulbs are illuminated. The lights are aimed correctly.

The Boss lights spec H9/HIR2 bulbs. I believe they currently have H9/9005 bulbs installed. While the lights are arguably better than the OE lights on the 2002 Silverado the plow is mounted on, they still leave a lot to be desired, specifically the high beams. They definitely lack the "punch" for covering any significant distance, especially in inclement weather.

I'm exploring upgrade options. I know I could use the Vosla +120 HIR2, but longevity becomes a concern, especially with a predicted life of 150 hours, and add the regular impact and vibrations caused by plowing, I would expect substantially less. I'm not keen on spending $100+ a season on light bulbs, especially since invariably I will be replacing those bulbs in the worst of weather. The current "cheap" bulbs (probably Phillips VisionPlus) have lasted 2 seasons. I am satisfied with that.

My understanding is there really isn't an "upgrade" for the H9...

I am also entertaining the idea of a housing swap to another OEM housing. Meyers Nite Sabre 3 housings use H1/H7 bulbs. Blizzard/Hamsar uses H1/H4. Fisher/Western use H9/H11. I'm sure there are others, but I think this covers the major OEMs... I am not opposed to swapping for LED assemblies, but I have used the Boss OE LED lights, and I definitely do not see them as an upgrade worth $1000 or more. Grote makes a DOT LED conversion that can be had for around $400, there are a few other aftermarket brands in that $4-600 range, but of course that's time and money spent with no real guarantee of improvement. I have 20+ years as a professional mechanic, so modifying mounts, or wiring to accommodate a swap is a non-issue.

In an ideal world, I'd like to improve my overall visibility, especially during inclement weather. I'd like to have 3000k-3500k lights to reduce glare and fatigue. I *hate* the blinding glare that comes from the "super white" typical if most LEDs, especially when it is snowing heavily. I would like spend less than $500 doing it. I don't want to be replacing bulbs once a month. My understanding is the H9/HIR2 setup from Boss is probably the best I can get, which has a part of me tempted to just add some yellow auxillary driving and/or flood lights from somewhere like Baja Designs or Diode Dynamics and be done with it...

Help? I've made my own brain mushy.

 

[EJR]

Bulbs can only do so much when the optics (which are the foundation to the light distribution) are of a subpar design.

I'm confused on your current bulb setup. These lamps call for a HIR2 as the low beam bulb but you say you think you have 9005 installed? Why? Put in the Vosla +120 HIR2 bulbs. These are going to maximize the lighting potential of those lamps.

There is no upgrade to the H9. If your current ones are a little bit aged, maybe you could pick up a new set of Philips H9 which might improve the HB a smidge. The Philips H9 tend to provide just a wee bit more output over a Osram/Sylvania H9 and a lot more than generic branded H9 bulbs.

In the end, if this setup isn't cutting it for you then you'll probably need to explore other full headlamp replacement options.

 

[freak007]

Bulbs can only do so much when the optics (which are the foundation to the light distribution) are of a subpar design.

I would like to believe that lights designed by JW Speaker aren't exactly "subpar..."

I'm confused on your current bulb setup. These lamps call for a HIR2 as the low beam bulb but you say you think you have 9005 installed? Why?

I was mistaken. They are Phillips HIR2 in the low beam. I had thought that I had replaced them at one point with a 900X (would have been 9006 I guess) at one point because that is what was available at 10pm on a Saturday during a snow storm... I pulled the lenses and double checked, it seems that I went back at some point and put the HIR2 in after all. High beams are also Phillips H9

Put in the Vosla +120 HIR2 bulbs. These are going to maximize the lighting potential of those lamps.

There is no upgrade to the H9. If your current ones are a little bit aged, maybe you could pick up a new set of Philips H9 which might improve the HB a smidge. The Philips H9 tend to provide just a wee bit more output over a Osram/Sylvania H9 and a lot more than generic branded H9 bulbs.

As I mentioned, I am not interested in the 150hr life of the Vosla +120, especially on a vehicle that the low beams are on at all times.

I did order a new set of Phillips H9, and Vosla HIR2 +50. Supposedly the +50 and +30 have the same life expectancy of 250 hours... I am not expecting a miracle, but hopefully I will see a substantial improvement.

In the end, if this setup isn't cutting it for you then you'll probably need to explore other full headlamp replacement options.

Looks like the H9/HIR2 combo is probably as good as I can reasonably expect from a halogen setup, with the possible exception of the Fisher (made by Grote) which might be upgradable from H9/H11 to H9/H9, but I feel that the difference between H9 and HIR2 is probably so little that ultimately it would come down to whichever has the better reflectors and lenses... From there, I have the option of LED assemblies, most of which are going to be above what I want to spend, and in the 6000k range that I am not super excited about...


I think if the new bulbs don't get me where I want to be, I will start exploring auxiliary lighting options...

 

[bykfixer]

You will definitely benefit from a warmer tint. Maybe LED arrays that focus the beam forward like a light bulb does.

Can you mount the lighting on the vehicle instead of the plow? Way less torture that way.

One thing I learned when driving a plow truck at night years ago was by turning on the cab light I could see the darkened vs lit up contrast a lot better. Now my vision was not improved but my eyes did not get anywhere near as fatigued in a 12 hour shift. That was at a time where the dome light was over your head or a little behind it.

 

[EJR]

I would like to believe that lights designed by JW Speaker aren't exactly "subpar..."

And yet here you are expressing how underwhelming these lamps perform. 😁 I mean we are talking about snow plow lamps. They may have been designed to be 'adequate' or maybe even 'reasonably adequate' for the job, neither of which appear to be suitable for your particular visual needs.

As I mentioned, I am not interested in the 150hr life of the Vosla +120, especially on a vehicle that the low beams are on at all times.

Understandable but like many things in life, there are compromises. If you want maximum lighting performance out of a bulb, then longer life is sacrificed. If you want longer life out of a bulb, then light output is sacrificed. There is NO way around this. This is how halogen filament technology works. Ultimately you have to choose which is a higher priority and then learn to live with the outcome.

I did order a new set of Phillips H9, and Vosla HIR2 +50. Supposedly the +50 and +30 have the same life expectancy of 250 hours... I am not expecting a miracle, but hopefully I will see a substantial improvement.

I'd bet there won't be a noticeable difference.

Looks like the H9/HIR2 combo is probably as good as I can reasonably expect from a halogen setup, with the possible exception of the Fisher (made by Grote) which might be upgradable from H9/H11 to H9/H9, but I feel that the difference between H9 and HIR2 is probably so little that ultimately it would come down to whichever has the better reflectors and lenses...

I would agree.