Headlamps - H4?

[davidvincent]

Hi all

Looking for some advice on headlamps please....

I am a complete novice on this subject, can I install H4 bulbs? I understand it that they are H1 as standard - is there a kit to make this work (from 1 to 4 pin connection) or will it pull too much power and cause potential electrical faults?

Thanks in advance.

David

[Jeroen]

Sounds like a lot of work to me, I'd fit decent quality H1's or even uprated rally spec ones. Keep in mind that old headlamps with a lot of rust, matted reflectors or chipped glass will make you loose a lot of light as well. I went a bit too far using illegal 80W Philips rally bulbs in new units and this generates more light than the oem Xenon in my E46 without causing an excess of stray light.

[davidvincent]

Hmm, so are you aware of what the highest wattage H1's are Jeroen? I assume I'll need an uprated fuse also?

Thanks

[Jeroen]

Haven't changed a thing apart from the bulbs and the fuses are still ok. Only thing I try to do is switch them off a few mins before stopping so the wind can cool them down a but. Haven't really checked but I can imagine some extra heat is generated

[davidvincent]

Only thing I try to do is switch them off a few mins before stopping so the wind can cool them down

Hahahahaha, now that's creative! Good work

[polov8]

When I drove a mk1 Scirocco (exact same headlamp units as a 6 pot E21) I was running 100w bulbs for a while. Never noticed the lamp units getting hot enough to need too much cooling time! I was running an uprated loom though, as old VW's have notoriously crappy headlamp wiring, and no relays. They certainly worked well, and if aimed properly shouldn't dazzle anyone. Legality be damned!

[davidvincent]

Cheers Andy. Yeah I know about the vw issues, I also own a 1980 type 25 and have heard the horror stories about dashboards going up in flames after people upgraded their lights without upgrading the wiring and adding relays!!

I've ordered some uprated H1 bulbs from Osram for the 320, and I'll clean out the reflectors and lenses, see where that gets me

Thanks all.

[Jeroen]

keep us posted on your findings!