Which H4 Lamps?

[Paulporsche]

I've used 100/80 H4 lamps in my car for years, along w/ the appropriate relay. One just blew and I temporarily replaced it w/ a 65/55 I had laying around. I want to do better than though. I've seen a few options from Sylvania, GE, and Narva (Daniel Stern).

The latest thread on this that I found was 2 yr old, so I thought I'd ask: Which h4 lamp is the best to get for street/highway use?

[Superman]

I've heard good things about the Narva stuff, but I have no personal experience. FWIW, I have similar lamps and relays, and one of my next projects will be to source some more robust plugs for these lamps, and to re-wire the grounds. The three-prong female plugs that are part of the vehicle at the back of the lamp are not sufficient to handle this kind of amperage over time, and neither are the ground wires.

[TRE Cup]

Don't forget the marc sucro relay kits- makes it a breeze to protect that expensive t/s switch
do a search on this board for more info

[PSJoyce]

I installed the H4 85/80W Osram Plus 50 from Daniel Stern in my H4's, WITH the Scuro relay. They're very, very nice, and I've had no problems with the system since March.

Paul

[Evans, Marv]

As far as beefing up the three-pronged plugs and wiring, I bought some off-road plugs with wiring from Pep Boy's. I think they will do the trick.

[ianc]

Daniel Stern has some appropriate plugs (bulb sockets) to replace your plastic ones; believe they're made by Hella, and are made of bakelite. Ask him on the phone.

No info on the best bulb. I ran Narva 90/100's in my SC but did not have it long enough to comment on longevity. They were flamethrowers though...

ianc

[RoninLB]

well, i use my car for only one thing and it's not local grocery store shopping.

I've always carried 2 spare 130/100w Narvas on my rides. When i called Stern up for more replacements i told him i only get 5-10k night miles out of them.

He suggested i try Osram 85/80w, pn 64206, and i wouldn't be able to tell the difference in night lighting. I ran out of Narvas coming home in Ohio at bell's house and installed my first Osram. So far if there's a difference i can't tell. Before i did the install i compared the design of both w/bell. The Osram appears to be a beefer bulb. Only another ride will tell more to this story, but it appears Osrams will last longer.

also Dan Stern is a home run to have around imo.

[bell]

i usually copy whatever ronnie is running for lights, i've been using the 100/130 narva h4's since ron first suggested them and have never had better lighting on any car i owned, i also use the euro bosch H4 housings (no nipples on glass) which have a very sharp dispersion so i don't blind other drivers or get hassled for from the cops......
the Osrams are obviosly beefier as ron said and they are in my future

[RWebb]

I've been happy with the Osrams on my H1's - never compared them to Narva's tho.

-- I'd just call Dan Stern & get his thoughts....