Brighter Lights

I did a search on this but came up with alot of info I couldn't understand.
I'd like brighter headlights. It's 2008 and I'd like to hope that I'm not stuck with the 1 candle power lights of the early 70's VW's. So, are there any replacement lights that I can purchase at the local Pep Boys or Auto Zone that will be brighter? I'm not looking to rewire. I just want something brighter. Thanks.

Stock sealed beam bulbs are 55/60 watt. Even new sealed beam bulbs will be improvement over several yeal old used ones BUT you can get H4 sealed replacement head lamps from OSRAM SilverStar (Sylvania), GE, Wagner that are same wattage but better and whiter light. Next step up would be headlights with replaceable bulbs like the Hella or Bosch units ($50 each) - stock they come with H4 55/60 watt bulbs. You can go to higher wattage BUT that would require thicker wiring to prevent a meltdawn and voltage loss. Avoid the colored blue bulbs as they are not as efficient as clear white ones. Big buck solution ($1k) would be the new HID systems - but lots of rewiring there.

I have Bosch H4 and they are quite bright. 55W.

Mickey:

This has been covered on here in the past. Do a search on brighter headlights or some derivative and you'll find what you need, including wiring gauge needed, size and placement of relays and fuses, how to wire it up, all that stuff.

You can run 85+ watt H4 headlights, and they'll give lots of light but remember that they also give off LOTS of heat and you have to deal with that, too.

Mickey,

I installed an HID on my coupe replica from : http://www.vvme.com/catalog/list-s-10145-10146.html

it a bi xenon and it is less than $ 100.00 and I have it already almost 1 year without any problem. It is much brighter than H4 halogen bulb, the pattern is not as good as I want, but I blame it on the light housing more than the HID itself

Eddy

WOW!

That's a whole lot cheaper than I ever thought those units were!

At about $80 a pair, it's VERY competitive with H4's....

gn

Eddie;
does the xenon install require removal of the "outer " VW glass due to heat retention?

Dave,

No, I did not take off any outer lens. the HID runs much cooler than regular halogen headlight. It is actually a plug & play, the only issue is where to put the igniter and the other parts, but if you are semi handy with tools, I think you can figure it out.

Eddie:

Siince those lights have a ballast, do they work like a flourescent?

gn

are the ballasts in that kit waterproof?

Gordon,

I believe all HID lights have igniters and ballast so this one just lighted like a "normal" HID light as you can see equiped on newer BMW, Audi or Mercedes or even Porsches. It does not light like a fluoresence

Paul,

I put the igniters and ballast inside the front trunk next to the battery. I am not sure if it is waterproof or not. I tend to avoid mixing electricity with water.

Eddy

Can someone explain about the type and color decisions that have to be made if you order the HID kit? Thanks.

Troy

"Fits all vehicle types and comes with everything needed to convert to HID! Available Type: H4-3,9004-3,9007-3,H13-3 Available Color: 3000K,4300K,5000K,6000K,8000K,10000K,12000K,15000K"

Troy,

3000K is about the color of you average room light or tungsten sealed beam.

6000K is average sun light - more nearly neutral color.

15000K would be a really dark overcast day - way toward the blue end of the spectrum.

Their color temps vary from orangish red (3000) to really blue (15000).

check out ebay ads to see all kinds of colour charts

example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/XENON-HID-CONVERSION-KIT-H1-H3-H4-H7-H11-9005-9006-9007_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a543Q7c39Q3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1308QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem320305914587QQitemZ320305914587

I put a "Painless" ( brand ) relay kit & replacement headlight wiring harness in my speedy. The orig column dip switch ends up triggering the relays which in turn carry the amperage draw from whatever bulbs you want to run. The lamp load is now thru the relays and not the switch, and the wiring is much heavier as well. I have 100watt bulbs with the glass outer lens in place and have not had any issues. You can get the "painless" kit from Summit or Jegs for around $100. Go to the Painless website and they show / describe the kit...wiring was simple and I mounted the relays in the battery compartment up front. I LOVE the brighter h/lamps. You can even buy off-road higher wattage bulbs - like up to 135 watt! - from some of the off-road supply houses, but my 95/100's are great, and I wired my Hella driving lights into my high beams as well.
Doug

Sorry to be so dense, but it still is not clear to me. Why would anyone ever want 3000K? What type and what color would the majority of you order? Thanks.
Troy

If you just do the non-DOT approved EMPI Chinese H4's, you'll have something about twice as bright for less than $20. If the bulb goes out, any local parts store (even Wal-Mart) will have a replacement.

You'll need relays, or you can just replace the headlight switch every couple of years.

It makes a huge difference, especially on high-beam.

Cibie H4
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html