DOT approved or Euro?

nesslar · 02-05-2011, 06:12 AM

Since I've always loved the word "edumacate", please do so for me!
I have H4s I bought a few years ago and installed them. I don't recall what was written inside, but the lenses have no mention of "DOT" on them. The lights are single lamp, but really do light the street up; VERY pleased with them. In fact I can't imagine anyone needing more visibility at night. If the lights are USA spec., wouldn't there be some indication?

Drisump · Drisump's Garage

They are probably not DOT....if you're pleased with them, LOL. DOT regs make the lighting (especially on low)much more scattered, to illuminate large signs on a motorway. The Euro's have a strong cut off and up on an angle to the right. This is to minimize "flashing" oncoming cars, and (the angled bit) to illuminate the roadside. Don't understand why North America continues to make lights in this way, the rest of the world doesn't. Cheers

moneymanager · 02-05-2011, 06:45 AM

I believe European lamps have an "E" or maybe ECE in the bulb, the so-called E code; mine do. DOT lamps say DOT.

RoninLB · 02-05-2011, 06:54 AM

DOT might still have the tits on the outside of the lens for a lens alignment tool to fit

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Nope, not DOT approved. With the HID mods on the ricers, you'll have a lower chance of getting yanked over.

The Bosch relay kits bumps them up pretty good. So does going with a higher wattage bulb.

nesslar · 02-06-2011, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moneymanager

I believe European lamps have an "E" or maybe ECE in the bulb, the so-called E code; mine do. DOT lamps say DOT.

Yep; the "e" is there alright. So I guess these were impoted to sell, which of course they did (to me from a retailer online), about $315 for the set, new, and I really do like them. Quite bright.

moneymanager · 02-06-2011, 05:51 AM

They are very good headlights, enjoy.

tcar · 02-06-2011, 10:08 AM

There are NOT any DOT approved H4 lights.

There are 2 kinds of H4 lights for 911's.

a. Ones that fit into the 'sugar scoops' where the DOT approved sealed beams used to be.

b. The Euro H4's that look very different, remove all the sugar scoop and fixture.

There are H5 headlights that look like the Euro H4's and are DOT approved, but they are inferior to the H4 lights.

badbilly1 · 10:50 AM

I just purchased and installed two new Hella DOT-approved H4 headlights for my '69S. Even retained the "sugar-scoop." Very simple install. BB

Purchased from our host.

Gordo2 · Gordo2's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcar

There are NOT any DOT approved H4 lights.

There are 2 kinds of H4 lights for 911's.

a. Ones that fit into the 'sugar scoops' where the DOT approved sealed beams used to be.

b. The Euro H4's that look very different, remove all the sugar scoop and fixture.

There are H5 headlights that look like the Euro H4's and are DOT approved, but they are inferior to the H4 lights.

I don't think this is the case.

Hella makes DOT approved H4's - Pelican carries them (PEL-H4-70477). Hella makes both DOT approved and E-code H4's. Both have the same form & fit (they both retain the sugar scoops), but the E-codes have a different cut/beam pattern on the lens.

I can't speak to performance differences between the Hella DOT H4's and E-Codes. I've only used the E-codes and they are a huge upgrade over the stock sealed beam units.

The Hella DOT H4 lamps use the H4 bulb (hence they are in fact an H4 vice H5 headlamp). The H4 bulb is not interchangeable with H5's (the body/fitting of the H5 bulb is slightly larger than the H4)

Then of course there are the Bosch Euro lamps (E-code as well, Euro or E-code is the European equivalent of DOT in that it is a standard) that don't retain the sugar scoops. These also use the H4 bulb.

Gordo