H5 headlights: 80/100W bulbs, JWest relay and 12 ga wires. What could go wrong?

[atc_marty]

I'm considering the setup mentioned in the title. I've done all the required reading but it's very confusing. I want to retain the look of the original H5s but with a little extra power. Since the Hi-Lo stalk just melted, I figure it's a good time to upgrade. Has anyone upgraded their H5s like this?

[jeffbottman]

I'd recommend against the higher wattage bulbs, having gone through exactly what you propose. Before the change, I cleaned the fog off the reflectors using alcohol, as described in various threads. This really improved the headlights, BTW.

The H5's scatter lots of light, and oncoming drivers would frequently flash their brights at me. Once, on the freeway, someone started tailgaiting me and switched on his brights, I guess the flaming sphincter didn't like my headlights.

Also, the extra heat makes the reflectors fog up quickly. So, I switched back to standard wattage, and in the city it's plenty enough light anyway. Someday I will upgrade to H4's, althought I begrudge the expense.

[atc_marty]

Thanks Jeff! I agree, in the city the H5s are ok. H4s someday!

[mpetry]

I agree on the higher wattage bulbs. Other people have tried them with no ill effects but even with the relays I'd be concerned about running that much current thru wiring and fuse boxes that are 30+ years old.

Where I live it's REALLY dark and I have not had any problem with regular 55/60 bulbs and H4 lights on high beam. If you don't have full current to the bulbs then they will burn out prematurely, so make sure all electrical grounds are clean and tight.

The Narva Rangepower bulbs definitely put out more light than the Sylvania altho they are expensive.

[atc_marty]

Looks like people tend to agree that the H4 upgrade with the 55/60 bulbs is a good all-rounder. But does the Hella H4 kit work for 87-89 cars? I'm refering to part no. 70476-M44.

[darrin]

no, the hella's a replacement for the us spec 86 and earlier 911s that use the "sugar scoop" headlights. You'd want to go with the bosch h4s that were developed specifically for the 911 (like your h5s) Porsche 911 & Carrera Lights and Lenses - Page 1

A bit more pricy

[80-911SC]

I did the relay upgrade on my 1980 that I placed H5 lights on .. I run the sylvania silver star bulbs and the improvement was day and night ...

[creaturecat]

All headlights should have relays.
Brighter bulbs/stock wattage = shorter bulb life.

[porwolf]

If anybody wants to go to high power light bulbs like 80 watts why not use 4 relays, one for each filament. Relays can get hot also and they are cheap. And new 12 gauge wires directly from the battery through the relays also sound like a good idea. I used 4 relays with 4 in-line fuses wired directly to the battery for my H4 conversion from sugar scoops, though I only use the regular 50/55 Watt light bulbs. Mine are from Germany though (Osram H4 12V 60/55W 64193 NBP Night Breaker Plus). And the light output is great.

[Stutzdriver]

I upgraded to the HELLA sealed beam replacement, installed HD relays wired directly form the battery with 10g wire and 12g wire to the HL sockets, the relays are nice and cool. Installed 80/100 watt bulbs and spent a LOT of time PROPERLY adjusting the beams. These have a great cutoff and I have had ZERO problems with oncoming traffic.

The light is GREAT on low and high beams! FWIW you never have too much light at night.....

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by Stutzdriver

I upgraded to the HELLA sealed beam replacement, installed HD relays wired directly form the battery with 10g wire and 12g wire to the HL sockets, the relays are nice and cool. Installed 80/100 watt bulbs and spent a LOT of time PROPERLY adjusting the beams. These have a great cutoff and I have had ZERO problems with oncoming traffic.

The light is GREAT on low and high beams! FWIW you never have too much light at night.....

Do your 80/100 watt bulbs have the same cutoff pattern as the European/German lights?

[RSBob]

Ran 80/100s in H4s with fused relays, upgraded wiring, and ceramic connectors to the bulbs. They performed flawlessly and the light out put was awesome. No issues with blinding oncoming traffic. Highly recommended.

Running 80/100s in my 914 with the same configuration and the visibility is tremendous.

[juliaabna]

I run the sylvania silver star bulbs and the improvement was day and night

[Algernon]

Originally Posted by porwolf

If anybody wants to go to high power light bulbs like 80 watts why not use 4 relays, one for each filament. Relays can get hot also and they are cheap. And new 12 gauge wires directly from the battery through the relays also sound like a good idea. I used 4 relays with 4 in-line fuses wired directly to the battery for my H4 conversion from sugar scoops, though I only use the regular 50/55 Watt light bulbs. Mine are from Germany though (Osram H4 12V 60/55W 64193 NBP Night Breaker Plus). And the light output is great.

Agreed, and 4 fused relays from Pelican make it really easy!

[dentist90]

Originally Posted by RSBob

Ran 80/100s in H4s with fused relays, upgraded wiring, and ceramic connectors to the bulbs. They performed flawlessly and the light out put was awesome. No issues with blinding oncoming traffic. Highly recommended.

+1 on the sockets, don't overlook them. I had the relays and 12ga wires going to 80/100 H4s and all seemed good.... until I took my headlights out for a repaint. The cheap plastic sockets on both had melted down around the high beam connection so badly that I just cut the wires and pried them off on the bench. Make sure your H5 connectors don't come with 14 ga wire preinstalled. They will melt as these can't handle the heat from 100w bulbs. I now have sockets that look more like bakelite or ceramic.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by Algernon

Agreed, and 4 fused relays from Pelican make it really easy!

That is a great setup, congratulations.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by RSBob

Ran 80/100s in H4s with fused relays, upgraded wiring, and ceramic connectors to the bulbs. They performed flawlessly and the light out put was awesome. No issues with blinding oncoming traffic. Highly recommended.

Running 80/100s in my 914 with the same configuration and the visibility is tremendous.

Did you beef up the wiring?

[atc_marty]

It would seem that upgrading the bulbs to 80/100 in H5 lamps is a bad idea because they scatter too much light. So an H4 upgrade with relays and wiring is in order. But the H4 kits on PP are listed as compatible with cars up to 86. I have an 87, is the Bosch kit compatible as darrin said above?

[darrin]

Yes -- the bosch kit IS compatible. You will, however, need to change out the sockets that plug into the lights (h4 bulbs use different sockets than h5), and the painted trim ring that goes with your h5s is not compatible with the h4s (you'll need to either use the chrome ring that comes with the h4 kit or buy a primered h4 trim ring and have it painted to match).

H4 headlights were used on the european 911s up until the introduction of the 993

[KTL]

The higher wattage bulbs are also a bad idea due to the plastic housing potentially melting.

You can install the Euro H4s in your '87 no problem. It's a straight bolt-in affair. Kinda stinks that the mounting is a downgrade (H5 buckets are nicely screwed in at 4 locations, whereas the Euro H4 is held on by only the one lower screw (6 o'clock) at the trim ring)

Got some great tips from RoninLB (RIP buddy, you'll always be remembered here) on doing my install. Turned out great and what a difference it made.

Uprated bulbs for H5 headlights

H4 Headlight upgrade