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H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 00:45
by Dazzledan
I'm looking to upgrade my headlamps as the original tungsten bulbs are about as much use as having a candle stuck to the front of your van.
I was thinking of replacing them for the Halogen H4 bulb. Is this just a simple swapping of bulbs with no modification?
Any help would be great thanks.
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 00:58
by R0B
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... headlights" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 07:05
by Cruz
As yours is an 83 the wiring will be just the same as the bottom link in Robs link
You can get H4 nighbreaker bulbs that say they give 50% more light but that is on the assumption you are getting the full voltage to the bulb......hence the relay upgrade which fixes VW's poor wiring method.
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-a ... &1&cc5_847" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Use code service25 at checkout to get 25% off and collect at your local eurocarparts
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 11:12
by ghost123uk
ghost123uk wrote:tannera34 wrote:I am aware I may have slaughtered several sacred cows along the way and I may have committed electical heresy as I left the fuseboard and relay board completely alone. We use the existing wiring, relays and switches in the van and just use the feed AT the headlights to pull additional relays behind the lights to give full voltage at the lights from a heavy feed direct from the battery.
I ran a 10mm section copper cable straight from the battery with a 25A in line fuse to behind the headlight cover panel at the front of the Van. Excessive but limits the voltage drop and allows for future expansion (an extra 4 rally specials across the front perhaps?!).
This runs to two 40A relays and goes to the switched input on the relays.
The negative switching side of the two relays is run to a separate earthing point created on the bodywork (loads of choice once the cover panel is off choose something sensible). I also cut the negative wires on the headlight units (The negative daisy chains across the bulb holders) and wired those into the same earth.
Each positive switching side of the relay is fed by either the feed for the main beam or the dipped beam (find them, cut to headlight unit and feed to relay). The switched output from the relay is then wired to the appropriate headlights.
Pretty much exactly the same as what I did
Simple to understand what is going on and quick to do with no downside I have found
And read this =
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=97280" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And this =
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=96326" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I find the very simple "relay at the front, fed with decent wire from battery (fused) and triggered from the existing lights feed wire" system to be easy, cheap and perfectly effective
p.s. = Those "nightbreaker" bulbs mentioned in posts above are very good, esp after the relay upgrade
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 11:22
by ghost123uk
Dazzledan wrote:I'm looking to upgrade my headlamps as the original tungsten bulbs...
I was thinking of replacing them for the Halogen H4 bulb. Is this just a simple swapping of bulbs with no modification?
.
Just re-read that, I was not aware that any T25's had the old Tungston bulbs ? (stands by to be corrected)
I thought they were all H4 as standard (note the "uprated" H4 as mentioned above ARE a direct and useful replacement) = See
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330612852659? ... 1439.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
E D I T = just noticed you r handle = Dazzledan = ironic in view of the subject here
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 11:54
by California Dreamin
I haven't read the links but my recommendation...in the first instance would be: to change your headlamps to the later round H4's (they have H4 stamped on the lens) then fit the Osram NightBreaker Plus + bulbs.
The wiring mods can follow IF you still find the lighting inadequate.
It's a matter of prioratizing...H4 lamps first, bulbs second...relays and wirings maybe third if needed.
PS....you notice that I haven't gone for the simplest option of fitting 'conversion bulbs' H4 with Tungsten mounts. I think that although these do offer an improvement over 'Tungsten alone' H4 lamps with H4 bulbs is the way to go to see significant differences.
Martin
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 12:38
by The Reverend Pimp Daddy
ghost123uk wrote:
Just re-read that, I was not aware that any T25's had the old Tungston bulbs ? (stands by to be corrected)
I thought they were all H4 as standard (note the "uprated" H4 as mentioned above ARE a direct and useful replacement) = See
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330612852659? ... 1439.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
No John the early ones were tungston, he 1st needs to get later H4 marked headlights and then the H4 bulbs, the H4 bulbs don't fit the older headlights too well
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 13:16
by California Dreamin
As I said...you can get conversion bulbs that use the old tungsten 410 base attached to a modern H4 Halogen bulb...
like This:
http://www.wilcodirect.co.uk/index.php? ... ts_id=7953" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Having said this I would still recommend H4 lamps with Osram Nightbreaker Plus H4 bulbs as the long term aim.
Martin
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 14:13
by Dazzledan
The Reverend Pimp Daddy wrote:ghost123uk wrote:
Just re-read that, I was not aware that any T25's had the old Tungston bulbs ? (stands by to be corrected)
I thought they were all H4 as standard (note the "uprated" H4 as mentioned above ARE a direct and useful replacement) = See
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330612852659? ... 1439.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
No John the early ones were tungston, he 1st needs to get later H4 marked headlights and then the H4 bulbs, the H4 bulbs don't fit the older headlights too well
Thanks Rev I was hoping to save a few pennies but looks like an upgrade to H4 headlights with H4 bulbs will be my first option and then I may have a go at trying the Osram bulbs with upgraded wiring and relays. Its not that I usually use the van during the winter months but I like the thought that If I do need to drive through the night I can see where I'm going. When your driving around country lanes with no street lights its just a nightmare, you could almost benefit from waving a torch out of the window its that bad.
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 14:15
by Dazzledan
ghost123uk wrote:Dazzledan wrote:I'm looking to upgrade my headlamps as the original tungsten bulbs...
I was thinking of replacing them for the Halogen H4 bulb. Is this just a simple swapping of bulbs with no modification?
.
Just re-read that, I was not aware that any T25's had the old Tungston bulbs ? (stands by to be corrected)
I thought they were all H4 as standard (note the "uprated" H4 as mentioned above ARE a direct and useful replacement) = See
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330612852659? ... 1439.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
E D I T = just noticed you r handle = Dazzledan = ironic in view of the subject here
I suppose I asked for that taking into consideration the subject - cheers
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 14:36
by ghost123uk
Dazzledan wrote:ghost123uk wrote:
E D I T = just noticed your handle = Dazzledan = ironic in view of the subject here
I suppose I asked for that taking into consideration the subject - cheers
It'll be right though soon
Re: H4 Headlamp Bulbs?
Posted: 27 Feb 2012, 15:21
by California Dreamin
Best £92.00 you'll spend all year.
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... gory_id=51" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... gory_id=51" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330612852659? ... 1439.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Martin