Randy V

There's been recent discussions about upgrading the wattage for H4 headlights. How about for the stock 8" H5s?

What is the rating of the stock H5 bulb?

Has anyone upgraded to a higher wattage type for the H5s?

Any mods required?

dr bob

[quote]Originally posted by Randy V:
<strong>There's been recent discussions about upgrading the wattage for H4 headlights. How about for the stock 8" H5s?

What is the rating of the stock H5 bulb?

Has anyone upgraded to a higher wattage type for the H5s?

Any mods required?</strong><hr></blockquote>


The OEM bulbs are in the 50w range. Depending on mfr, I've seen ratings as low as 45/50 and more often 50/55 or 55/60.

I replaced the original bulbs in my S4 with 80/100 9004/H-5's with no ill effects. Picked them up from JC Whitney originally for my Explorer, but they ended up in the 928 for some reason. The Explorer ate 4 of them before I gave up (14.8v charging) and stuck the rest of the collection into the 928 parts bin.

Biggest problem I have had is melting sockets. Might be the quality of the bulb connection though. Each time (4x now...) the ground connection in the socket was melted.


I haven't looked at other bulb options yet, but would be interested in something that has reasonable current load on dipped beam while offering melt-the-pavement output on main. In stop-and-go traffic, I used to run the battery down noticeably in my Saab (90a alternator) with 120w H-4 low beams on. All that the brighter low beams did was make the pattern a little whiter... not any bigger/farther. Main beams, on the other hand, respond very well to brighter bulbs. They also tend to be on when you are driving fast enough to get the power you need from the alternator.


I spoke with Susan while at Devek last weekend, looking at one 8" H-4 replacement, used, for $110. She only had the one, but mentioned that she could supply new H-4 assemblies for $190 each. You still need to add bulbs. Not as good a price as the NLA set purchased in Canada in April (discussed elsewhere on this list), but better than some quotes I've seen lately. This is a mod I'll get around to this year I suspect.

That mod will also "free up" my existing 8" H-5's with the big bulbs if anybody is interested. Susan set the price on her used ones at $110 for those too. Mine are perfect, don't even have any dust on the outside, and have the big bulbs in them already. Same price should do it when I get home in a few weeks. Otherwise they will go into the spares bin for any future owner who feels that original is more important.

Contact me off list if you are interested at dr.bobf@worldnet.att.net It will help expedite my decision to convert to H-4.

<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Randy V

Thanks, Bob!

borland

Proper aiming of your headlights makes a big difference. Sylvania Silverstar Ultra bulbs are brighter, whiter, and have the same factory wattage.

Randy V

What is the size ID #?

Thanks.

Alan

I think what Dr Bob proposes of stock low beam wattage & higher for high beam is fine - those kind of bulbs are available (e.g. 55W/100W motorcycle listed usually) in H4's - not sure how easy to find in H5's. I'd not recommend much higher wattage than stock in the low beams - because it does just make the rather poorly defined "focus" blob of the DOT H5's just flare more - better for you - worse for everyone else.

H4's are clearly the way to go - its what the car was designed for - but is a little expensive. You can however offset the cost by selling off your good condition H5 lamps.

The other issue with H5's is that the bulb to socket contacts are much smaller physically than H4's - less contact area means more risk of early deterioration of the socket contacts & overheating leading to the sockets metling ... this happens even with stock bulbs in humid climates - higher wattage means it happens much faster - but less of an issue for the typical duty cycle of high beams. Compouding this H5 sockets are usually only available in plastic while H4's are commonly available in various grade matertials including ceramic - these hold up to any contact heating much better.

Alan

MainePorsche

Guys,
If I were going to change to one of these white light bulbs, I would like to keep the fogs matching. I haven't seen any out there with a coupling to fit our fogs. Any suggestions ?

WallyP

Definitely shorter life with the brighter bulbs, and not a lot of visible gain.

Alan

Randy:

Here you can get H5's with 100/55:

http://www.normanlamps.com/index.php/cPath/91_101_285

Alan

Randy V

Thanks.

12V, 100/55W, 300 LIFE HOURS, HIGH/LOW BEAM, P45T BASE, SPECIAL

Is 300 hours an industry average lifespan for a headlight bulb?

(what happened to the pic link in your sig?)

MainePorsche

Yes, I thought so. Put a pair in my truck for a while and the only difference I noticed was that drivers I was facing had that annoyed look.

Alan

There are plenty of similar options for the H3 fog bulbs - just check equivalence of the color temps.

Alan

MainePorsche

Hello Alan.
I was tempted but I am going to stick with the original type bulbs. They are diligently aimed, and I get what I think is very good coverage up here in the Northland. One really has to watch for moose up here. Now the old style illumination gives me that 'new' look.

Also, I will work the algorithm re: AC gremlin this weekend. No hockey till October. Only school soccer now and that's during the week.
Craig

Randy V

Better late than never, Spanky!