H4 Headlight

[mgardner]

Hey Guys. I'm planning on putting some headlights on my '88 LX-i, and I'm wondering whether or not I should install relays in my light circuitry (to avoid overheating the wiring and to avoid arcing in the switch). What is the highest wattage that the factory switch and wiring can take? I'm planning on using 80/100 watt bulbs (I know that these arn't street legal, but I've had 'em in my truck for almost a year and no tickets yet). I 'preciate the input in advance.

-Mark

[SQ is the SQUAD]

dosent hurt to wire it right. iven seen many light sockets get burned out.

[DBMaster]

The main current draw for the headlights does not go through the switch. The switch actuates a set of headlight relays that are in the fuse box under the hood. I calculated the maximum current draw on the relays and they can take the 80/100W bulbs. With that said, I do believe there is some wiring in the dash that can get too hot. When I was using a set of 90/100W bulbs I would occasionally smell overheated insulation and my dash clock would reset itself to 12:00 randomly. The issue went away when I switched to 55/60W bulbs.

80/100W bulbs do not get you proportionally more illumination. They put out maybe 25% more lumens than 55/60W bulbs. A further disadvantage is that they last half as long. If you are going to use them I would definitely add additional relays to the headlight circuit so that they pull their current directly from the battery.

[mgardner]

The main current draw for the headlights does not go through the switch. The switch actuates a set of headlight relays that are in the fuse box under the hood. I calculated the maximum current draw on the relays and they can take the 80/100W bulbs. With that said, I do believe there is some wiring in the dash that can get too hot. When I was using a set of 90/100W bulbs I would occasionally smell overheated insulation and my dash clock would reset itself to 12:00 randomly. The issue went away when I switched to 55/60W bulbs.
80/100W bulbs do not get you proportionally more illumination. They put out maybe 25% more lumens than 55/60W bulbs. A further disadvantage is that they last half as long. If you are going to use them I would definitely add additional relays to the headlight circuit so that they pull their current directly from the battery.


Very detailed answer, I really appreciate it. I'll probly just go with the 55/60 bulbs then, since I wouldn't have to do any additional wiring. I appreciate the advice.

[ghettogeddy]

well i just did mine but i bought the warness from some one here if u can get a hold of the harness its really not that bad of an install and i really do like the h4's over the stock seald beam's

[mgardner]

well i just did mine but i bought the warness from some one here if u can get a hold of the harness its really not that bad of an install and i really do like the h4's over the stock seald beam's

Wouldn't the connections be the same? I did it on my truck that had the same style sealed beam lights and the H4 bulb had the same connector on the back as the sealed beam light...or did you mean to add the relays to the circuit?

-Mark

[ghettogeddy]

ya to add the relays
it just pluged into one of the existing lights and the went the battery and then grounded and it had the new relays in it it was rather easy i belive u can buy then pre assembled im just not sure were

[mgardner]

That sounds pretty kool. I might look for those...I saw a few on summitracing.com, but I didn't really look at them, they might be what you're talking about. I just thought they might be ones to adapt one plug style to the H4 style, but they might have relays built into them. 'Preciate the input.

[ghettogeddy]

do u have housings already
if not i would say the autopals i got are vary nice

[mgardner]

do u have housings already
if not i would say the autopals i got are vary nice

I found some that're $13 a piece at summitracing.com, but I havn't ordered them yet.

[mgardner]

I found the wiring kit (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=AMC%2D509102&N=115+4294925242+4294841923&autoview=sku)...

[ghettogeddy]

dont order cheap housings they look good asthiticly but the light output sucks
get these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/200mm-H6054-H4-EURO-STYLE-HEADLIGHTS-Like-HELLA-CIBIE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33710QQitemZ79543 37800QQtcZphoto

[3gn86lxi]

I sold mine to ghetto........this is the seller, you don't have to get them with the bulbs though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H4-WIRING-HARNESS-MITSUBISHI-MIRAGE-97-02-ECLIPSE-00-05_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ36476QQitemZ80491977 28QQrdZ1
And all you need is the h4, don't matter what car its for.

[ghettogeddy]

man and i gave u $35 hahahaha its cool though

[3gn86lxi]

man and i gave u $35 hahahaha its cool though
Yeah, with shipping those are like $50. Because they make you insure it coming from China and all.

[ghettogeddy]

shipping was only $20 so 40 and i could of got a new set man i got jewed lol j/k
still got um 5 bucks off

[mgardner]

Another thing...wouldn't the headlight out light on the dash come on if I wire it with relays? How would I stop this, just take the light out of the dash?

[3gn86lxi]

Another thing...wouldn't the headlight out light on the dash come on if I wire it with relays? How would I stop this, just take the light out of the dash?
No, it won't. You use you original plug as the activator for the relays, so it installs and activates the light as if it was factory.

[mgardner]

Ryan, where are the pictures of your car on that link? Or are there any?

-Mark

[3gn86lxi]

Ryan, where are the pictures of your car on that link? Or are there any?
-Mark
No, none of that. If you get one of the kits, or wire relays yourself, it is really easy to wire. I would suggest just buying one of the kits. It is much easier that way, you just plug and play, it comes with instructions too.:eek5:

[89AccordResto]

80/100W bulbs do not get you proportionally more illumination.

Also, most of that is BS. See here:

http://danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/superwhite/superwhite.html

[mgardner]

No, none of that. If you get one of the kits, or wire relays yourself, it is really easy to wire. I would suggest just buying one of the kits. It is much easier that way, you just plug and play, it comes with instructions too.:eek5:

Nah, I meant I just wanted to see your ride, isn't that it on your avator? It looks pretty sweet.

[3gn86lxi]

Nah, I meant I just wanted to see your ride, isn't that it on your avator? It looks pretty sweet.
Oh. Here, refer to this post.
http://www.3geez.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49926