H4 conversion questions

[Farrar]

Question for those who have replaced their sealed beams with H4s:

Since all four sealed beam bulbs have the same dimensions, would I simply buy two of each H4 housing -- two left and two right?

After that, I just install the correct bulbs -- 55-watt bulbs for low-beams and 80-watt bulbs for high-beams -- is that correct?

Thanks in advance.

Farrar

[Farrar]

Also, I recall reading somewhere that the sockets must have two of the wires swapped -- which ones?

Thanks again in advance.

Farrar

[WelmoedJ]

When you look at the pins of the lamp (pins towards you, middel pin up) then

left = GND
right = high beam
top = low beam

I know the original high beam is not connected on the outer units.
Should you do that (like I did) you will have all 4 lamps produce high beam.

On low beam only the outer units will work.

[Farrar]

When you look at the pins of the lamp (pins towards you, middel pin up) then

left = GND
right = high beam
top = low beam

I know the original high beam is not connected on the outer units.
Should you do that (like I did) you will have all 4 lamps produce high beam.

On low beam only the outer units will work.

Ah, thank you Welmoed! So does this mean I install the same wattage dual-filament bulb in all four housings?

Farrar

[WelmoedJ]

Ah, thank you Welmoed! So does this mean I install the same wattage dual-filament bulb in all four housings?

Farrar

Yes, Farrar.
Over here the "official" values are 60/55W12V (hi/low).
There are a couple of shops selling 100/80W12V but these will get you a citation as they are not allowed (in Europe).

Furthermore, I found that Philips has the best brightness (seems to lighten farther and more).
However it may well be that Philips is not sold in the USA under its own name.

[Farrar]

Thanks, Welmoed!

Here's my shopping list:

Small Square Headlight Kit, Right Side 6.5" X 4" - Quantity: 2
Small Square Headlight Kit, Left Side 6.5" X 4" - Quantity: 2
H4 60/55w Halogen Composite Headlamp - Quantity: 4

Total cost: $98.44 plus shipping.

I look forward to doing this conversion as well as painting my rusty headlight buckets soon!

Farrar

[WelmoedJ]

I know the original high beam is not connected on the outer units.
Should you do that (like I did) you will have all 4 lamps produce high beam.
On low beam only the outer units will work.

I may have given you a wrong advice about the high beams.
I had no high beam on my Pontiac outer units.

I thought this over and think our D switches both inner and outer units on high beam.
No need to have two lower beams unless you want to improve the low lights (in that case conenct the low beam on the inner units too).

[Farrar]

I thought this over and think our D switches both inner and outer units on high beam.

This is correct; sorry I forgot to mention it earlier.

I've ordered the parts and look forward to better vision at night.

Farrar

[Farrar]

They arrived today! The housings include a small blue light. I assume it is meant to be a "running light" but I will leave it disconnected since I understand only law enforcement are allowed to have blue lights.

Farrar

[Farrar]

Since the bulbs are only 55W on low, it would require less than 20 amps to have all four low-beam filaments engaged. (High beams are 60W which means 20 amps, so I will change fuse #15 to 30 amp rating.)

Perhaps I would like to have all four bulbs engaged on low-beam. It may look silly compared to other DeLoreans, but I like having more light... has anyone else done this?

Farrar