H1 Headlights are too dim, how do I make them brighter?

[Juggino]

I currently have H1 lights on my 1978 SC. I do country driving from time to time and they just are not bright enough. How do I get them brighter? I was told to use 100w bulbs on the low beams instead of the 50w but then will need the relay upgrade. Does anyone know a better way?

I would also like to upgrade the fog lights under the bumper to work as driving lights as well, Any suggestions?

[darrin]

Sounds like you don't have relays installed yet, I'd do that as a first step (without relays, all current goes through the high beam switch on your turnsignal stalk) -- folks generally find they have better illumination after installing the relays. I'd also check your connections/fuses/grounds to be sure they're not compromised. As for the foglights -- driving lights use different lenses -- you'd likely need to replace your fog lights with driving lights. First, however, I'd get your headlights dialed in -- H1s should give you all the light you'd want (my h4s sure do!)

[javadog]

My H1's gave sufficinet light output with 55W bulbs, so make sure the bulbs are good (not old and dark), make sure the reflectors are in good shape, then make sure they are aimed properly. Aiming can be done many ways and you've got a lot of choices in how you aim them.

After that, relays and brighter bulbs. Also, turn down your dash lighting when out in the country.

The fog lights will never make good driving lights, so toss them and replace them with actual driving lights.

JR

[porwolf]

Check the voltage directly at the bulb connections with the lights on. If it is not practically the same as the voltage on the battery you have substantial looses on the way from the battery to the bulbs. That loss could be caused by bad contacts and/or contact corrosion on the way. If that is that case the corrosion will further deteriorate the contact areas because the heat generated there. Relays will help greatly because they eliminates unnecessary contacts and also preserve the steering column switch.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by Juggino

I would also like to upgrade the fog lights under the bumper to work as driving lights as well, Any suggestions?

Driving lights under the bumper are not effective, they are too low. Driving lights should be at the level of the regular head lights or higher:

[DRACO A5OG]

What ever you decide on, get the relay.

I have been using HIDs the past 4 months on my H1's, plug and play and ton of light, maybe too much? I did lower the beam an inch from spec as a courtesy to on coming traffic.

For safety, I converted my fogs to drls and sprayed the lenses french yellow.

Haven't had the need for brights since the HID kit.

Jim

[kenikh]

Clean your grounds

[JAR0023]

I have H4s not H1s but 80/100 bulbs and relays do a good job on the dark twisty roads down here. -J

[clem911]

agreed; install new h4s

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by clem911

......install new h4s

Nah - that is not the answer. Can't be.

The OP does not want to drop the coin on the relay kit for whatever reason, which is his business, so H4's logically (but then that's my logic) are not worth talking about.

I bet is is something mentioned. Get the voltage at the battery and at the bulb and compare.

Tired charging systems/batteries can also rob lumens. Try the comparison test before and after charging the battery all night.

[Geneulm]

I had this issue when I had h1s. I relayed them and put big bulbs in. No change. Cleaned grounds. Big change: lots of light (relays are still a good idea especially w big bulbs).

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Geneulm

........ (relays are still a good idea especially w big bulbs).

+1 Given myriad threads on hi lo stalk problems of bone stock lighting systems, let alone bigger bulbs.

[70SC]

H-1's are great . You need to install the relays Then install 100watt Rally bulbs in both the high & low beams . Just make sure you aim them properly. 400 watts of light is borderline crazy perfect

[Roger 911]

I have the old sealed beams on my '72 (yes, I am one of three people left on the planet with sealed beams in a 911!). My lights used to be rather dim, especially at idle. The brightness would increase with RPMs, which of course was a sign that the alternator was going. Rather than replace the alternator, I decided to replace the engine with a 3.2. (I told my wife that was the only way they sell the alternators, with the engine ) That solved my dim headlight problem.

Roger