[The Donkey]

I have been driving the SC more during the evening hours. Actually a lot more altogether. It has H4's and they are really insufficient in my opinion. The beam isn't very strong and the difference between low beam and high beam is very little.

I wonder if that is typical with H4's or if they are not adjusted properly, have bad bulbs. Also, how much better are H1's than H4's?

Thanks,
Wm

[Trak Ratt]

H4 bulbs come in different flavors. Bulbs also age. I have H1s and while high and lows are separately adjustable (uses two different bulbs) they're old technology and lenses are getting scarce and $$. Buy some new bulbs in something like 55/90 or 55/100 and see how you like them. Just don't flash the cops

[hoophead]

I've had both H1s and H4s and I can't say that there's that much difference. The H1s are more adjustable. They are also ridiculous $ now.

You can buy higher wattage bulbs and get a much brighter beam. I used to get 100W for the H1s. I think you can get 80/100W H4s Get the higher wattage bulbs and wire in a headlight relay - that will make a big difference.

Personally, I'm happy with both sets of my stock 55/60 wattage H4s.

A few random hints:
- Check the headlight alignment. Put the car on level ground and aim straight at a wall. The dark/light line should be at the same height as the lights. The transition from flat-to-the-left to angled-up-to-the-right should be directly in front of each light.
- Check the bulbs you have in there now. As they start to go, they develop a silvery film on the inside. That will block some of the light output - put in a new bulb.
- Put in a higher rated fuse for the headlights. The stock fuses can drop almost a volt across them, particular as they get old. Putting in a 25A will noticeably improve the brightness. (All you fellow EE's cover your ears ) Putting in extra headlight relays and thicker wiring will have the same effect.
- The H4s have a quarter-sized shield in front of the bulb. If you remove it, there will be more direct path light going out, as the expense of more glare above your headlight line for oncoming traffic...

[Vicegrip]

Before you install higher watt bulbs or higher amp fuzes ( The fuse is to protect the wires from overheating and catching fire) There are some things you can or should do to improve the anemic photon output from H4s. First check that everything is clean and tight. Bulb sockets get crusty as do the fuse bases. Disconnect the + side of the battery when cleaning the fuse bases!

THe BEST thing all together. The power goes through the switch so adding relays is a good thing to do. It will save the $$$ high/low switch and safely pass far more amps to the bulbs. With relays you will only pass control power through the high/low switch. Wire the power from the battery through the relays and on to the bulbs with good heavy wire rather a size over what is needed current wise. Wire and fuse accordingly and you can install some good high watt bulbs with the socket being the limiting factor.

[OldTee]

X2 the relays. I installed them on both SCs. More power to the lights and safety too. Good product. Pelican sells em.
ARF

[Lupin..the..3rd]

^^^ What Vicegrip said. Good wiring, good soldered connections, beefy relays, and 80/100 bulbs will turn night into day.

[BlackTalon]

I just put new H4s in my Targa (er, well Jazz did most of it ) and they are head-and-shoulders above the old H5s, even with stock bulbs. But at some point I will add relays and install higher wattage bulbs.

[kaefer]

Yep, what they said.

Clean all your connections, add relays, possibly add an extra gound to each bulb assembly, and make sure the lamps are aimed properly. If still not sufficient then add brighter bulbs or add a pair of driving (not fog) lamps in addition to the H4's.

[87turbolook911]

Where's a good place to buy H4's?