A question about headlights

[Juggino]

I have the H1 backdated or upgraded, whatever the case may be. Please see photo. I would like to get them brighter. Does anyone know if that is possible? Someone mentioned that I can use the 100w bulbs but will need to install the relay kit. Anyone have experience with this?

[Oh Haha]

Those appear to be H4s. Install the JWest relay kit and upgrade to 100 w bulbs. It will make a great improvement over stock.

[Arne2]

No, look like H1s to me, I can see the separate high beam reflector. The answer is still the same, you need a relay kit and higher wattage bulbs. That will make them a bit brighter. You will also want to make certain they are nice and clean inside and the reflectors are still uncorroded.

The relays aren't hard, if you are at all handy with electrical work. The instructions are pretty good, IIRC.

[86 911 Targa]

Here they are:






^^^Headlight Relays.




^^^
Foglight switch modification.

[nineball]

i ordered my set of 80/100 bulbs from summit and i am very happy with them in my h4. here is the link for the h1 version.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hla-h83115051/overview/

installing everything was a snap. the hardest part was running the wires behind the fuse panel but a needle nose made that easier.

[Juggino]

Wow, thanks for that guys!!! I do have the H1 for sure so I guess the 100w upgrade is the only choice.

Targa, are those instructions for fog light upgrade as well?

Nineball thanks for the link, Pelican also carries them as well as the relay kit. I might just go that way.

[nineball]

no offense to our host but you can pick up those relays at any auto parts store for around $5 each.

[DRACO A5OG]

For 100 watt you will also need to update to ceramic sockets to handle the heat.

Dr Gerry's pics are for headlights only, the fogs are factory relayed.

[donporfi]

Follow Draco´s suggestion regarding ceramic sockets, specially if you are going to use 100 watt bulbs.
Check this post and you will see why.
Backdating headlights - H5 to H1 dual bulb

[nineball]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

For 100 watt you will also need to update to ceramic sockets to handle the heat.

forgot about the socket. i got a set from here and i was very happy with them (12g, 1 foot, crimp and solder):

BEST QUALITY H4 / 9003 High Temperature Headlight Socket / Plug / Connector. We Welcome Custom Orders! All of our Head Light Sockets / Plugs / Connectors are made with USA Wire! - Innova Design & Dist. Inc. (909) 971-0000

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by Juggino

Wow, thanks for that guys!!! I do have the H1 for sure so I guess the 100w upgrade is the only choice.

Targa, are those instructions for fog light upgrade as well?

Nineball thanks for the link, Pelican also carries them as well as the relay kit. I might just go that way.

That simple modification will run your foglights independent of your headlight switch.

Also your foglights should not exceed 55W per light.

Gerry

[javadog]

You might also try aiming your lights. A set of H1s does pretty well with stock bulbs, if you aim them well.

JR

[wwest]

Originally Posted by Juggino

Wow, thanks for that guys!!! I do have the H1 for sure so I guess the 100w upgrade is the only choice.

Targa, are those instructions for fog light upgrade as well?

Nineball thanks for the link, Pelican also carries them as well as the relay kit. I might just go that way.

Convert the bulbs to HID hi/lo equivalents, better lighting vs 100W halogens, and not to HOT for wiring/sockets.

[wwest]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

That simple modification will run your foglights independent of your headlight switch.

Also your foglights should not exceed 55W per light.

Gerry

When did fog lights, for other than BLING, become of functional use...??

Not even viable for DRL.

[McLaren-TAG]

I ditched my sugar scoops recently for H4s. I went with the yellow lens look and picked up a pair of Hella 80/70 P43T Yellow bulbs. I did the relays and changed the sockets to high temp ceramic so a complete lighting refresh.

I have to say that after driving a night a few times in very rural back roads with no lighting other than my headlights. It's a very pleasing light, makes details pop much much more, signs, lane stripes, even the reach is much better than the lighting on my Audi A4 with HID. It just feels less harsh yet a deeper lighting.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by wwest

Convert the bulbs to HID hi/lo equivalents, better lighting vs 100W halogens, and not to HOT for wiring/sockets.

you can't just throw a set of hid bulbs and ballasts into a halogen housing. there is a reason they make hid housings, the light pattern output is completely different. stop giving out bad information.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Juggino

your H-1 lights will do a great job; install the relays first; then aim carefully; note the bulbs can be aimed ind. of each other - I posted instructions copied from the Haynes manual some years ago

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by wwest

Convert the bulbs to HID hi/lo equivalents, better lighting vs 100W halogens, and not to HOT for wiring/sockets.

HIDs retrofitted to halogen housing are a very bad idea, they should be illegal. Oh, wait - they ARE illegal in all 50 states...

[McLaren-TAG]

Then again so are bulbs higher than 55 watts.

There's a picture floating around here of someone's HID bulb behind an H4 lens and it looked abysmal with halo and refractions being cast all over the place. Probably not fun looking at that thing from the oncoming traffic point of view.

[RWebb]

Your 2nd Amendment rights include shooting out HID bulbs retrofitted to halogen housings.