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DISCUSSION => Electrical => Topic started by: P. Kennedy on December 21, 2007, 01:15:11 PM

Title: Headlight questions: H1/H4
Post by: P. Kennedy on December 21, 2007, 01:15:11 PM

I think I screwed up.  I saw some cheap H4's on eBay (Autopal brand, plug & play) and ordered 2 sets (4 total.)  So now I have (4) H4's rated 100/50w.  I can't put 4 identical headlights in my iS can I? (rhetorical.)  I need a couple of H1's I assume.  Which are the low beam / high beam, H1 or H4?  And what would be recommended wattages if I drive a fair amount of dark, snowy country back roads?

Thanks
Pat Kennedy

Title: Headlight questions: H1/H4
Post by: Wise Old Dog on December 21, 2007, 01:38:30 PM

H4 has both hi and low.

Title: So...
Post by: P. Kennedy on December 21, 2007, 02:28:10 PM

...does that mean I can, in fact use identical H4's for all four headlight positions?

Title: Headlight questions: H1/H4
Post by: Wise Old Dog on December 21, 2007, 05:27:44 PM

I guess you could, but the H4 high beam doesn't seem to crank out the light like the H1. Every setup I've heard of uses one of each. It might be cool to have 4 low beam lights.

Title: Headlight questions: H1/H4
Post by: gearheadE30 on December 21, 2007, 10:09:41 PM

You can, but you won't have the same light output and you will have four low beams. I'd pick up a set of H1's if you can find some.

Title: Thanks
Post by: P. Kennedy on December 21, 2007, 10:18:21 PM

I was leaning in that direction.  One learns by one's mistakes.

Title: Headlight questions: H1/H4
Post by: AL GReeNeRy on December 21, 2007, 11:51:26 PM

check out the fog lights on an old benz.  they got yellow h1 replacements that fit right in to our high beams.  i have them set up and work GREAT in the fog out here in the bay.  you juss gotta bump up the fuses to 10amp fuses and youll be good

Title: Headlight questions: H1/H4
Post by: tjts1 on December 22, 2007, 12:02:48 AM

Yes you can install the four H4s, no you won't miss the H1s. Did you get the fluted lens version or the multi surface reflectors? I started with the fluted lens and now i have the MSR on order.

Title: Headlight questions: H1/H4
Post by: rfritz on December 22, 2007, 09:20:26 AM

The lenses are different on the H1 lights, which will give a different beam pattern. The best setup is to do it the right way with H1/H4 setup. I have had this same light setup on all of my e30's and it is great. You can get higher wattage bulbs to get a brighter beam if you want.