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retrowagen
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2004
Posts: 1856
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 Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Brassneck wrote: |
I know this is an old thread, but I'm considering upgrading to H4 headlights for improved lighting...and was wondering how much of a draw they have on the battery compared to stock sealed beam headlights.
Anyone know? |
Depends on the wattage of the bulbs used. H4's can be had in different bulb wattage. If the same wattage as a sealed beam is installed, there's no difference in draw.
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David Ruby
President, Karmann-Ghia World Club |
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philermonic
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2010
Posts: 361
Location: Orange County, California
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| Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Brassneck wrote: |
I know this is an old thread, but I'm considering upgrading to H4 headlights for improved lighting...and was wondering how much of a draw they have on the battery compared to stock sealed beam headlights.
Anyone know? |
I do not have the technical input you probably are really asking for, but my scenario (it is my blue '62 Ghia above) is that my car is upgraded to 12 volts and still has the 6 volt wiring harness. For what it is worth I do not notice any dimming of the lights at idle leading me to believe I am not taxing the battery or electrical system excessively. At 14.95 + shipping each (what I paid on eBay a little over a year ago) and the quantum improvement in being able to see & being seen it's inexpensive enough to experiement.
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"A camel is a horse designed by a Committee" |
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Brassneck
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2012
Posts: 420
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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| retrowagen wrote: |
Depends on the wattage of the bulbs used. H4's can be had in different bulb wattage. If the same wattage as a sealed beam is installed, there's no difference in draw. |
Good point and makes sense. I'm guessing the Halogen 60/55W bulb would be close to stock...as it seems to be the one noted in all the conversion kits. |
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Brassneck
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2012
Posts: 420
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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| philermonic wrote: |
I do not have the technical input you probably are really asking for, but my scenario (it is my blue '62 Ghia above) is that my car is upgraded to 12 volts and still has the 6 volt wiring harness. For what it is worth I do not notice any dimming of the lights at idle leading me to believe I am not taxing the battery or electrical system excessively. At 14.95 + shipping each (what I paid on eBay a little over a year ago) and the quantum improvement in being able to see & being seen it's inexpensive enough to experiement. |
Thanks! That's what I was hoping for. |
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philermonic
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2010
Posts: 361
Location: Orange County, California
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| Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Brassneck wrote: |
| retrowagen wrote: |
Depends on the wattage of the bulbs used. H4's can be had in different bulb wattage. If the same wattage as a sealed beam is installed, there's no difference in draw. |
Good point and makes sense. I'm guessing the Halogen 60/55W bulb would be close to stock...as it seems to be the one noted in all the conversion kits. |
I did possess more technical information than I let on.
I have the 60/55 watt H4's in my car.
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retrowagen
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2004
Posts: 1856
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| Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Brassneck wrote: |
| retrowagen wrote: |
Depends on the wattage of the bulbs used. H4's can be had in different bulb wattage. If the same wattage as a sealed beam is installed, there's no difference in draw. |
Good point and makes sense. I'm guessing the Halogen 60/55W bulb would be close to stock...as it seems to be the one noted in all the conversion kits. |
Yes, that is the maximum legal wattage in USA. However, wattage up to 130W/100W is available in H4 bulbs - that would be suitable for a 200mph+ LeMans racer.
Anything above stock wattage should use a relay kit. And be considerate to other users of the road. Bright lights make the road in front of you nice and clear, but make other people uncomfortable and angry. In any case, the dispersion pattern of most H4 lenses is better/clearer than that of a sealed beam, so even with stock wattage, the headlights work better.
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David Ruby
President, Karmann-Ghia World Club |
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mlhsquared
Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2008
Posts: 1482
Location: Strasburg, VA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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| retrowagen wrote: |
However, wattage up to 130W/100W is available in H4 bulbs...
And be considerate to other users of the road. Bright lights make the road in front of you nice and clear, but make other people uncomfortable and angry... |
130w high lights will make oncoming drivers uncomfortable, angry, and quite literally, blind. 
Also, with H4 lights the beam pattern is different than conventional lights, so after you swap them, make sure they are aimed properly. Don't just slap 'em in and drive.
Last edited by mlhsquared on Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:23 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Brassneck
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2012
Posts: 420
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the advise.
I need to adjust my headlights anyways as they are currently way off from ideal and I would like to avoid anyone getting pissed at me for my inconsiderate behavior.  |
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ivwshane
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Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 1920
Location: Sacramento ca
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| Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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Is anyone trying anything more unique like HID lights?
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
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lawn ninja
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Joined: January 02, 2006
Posts: 1009
Location: Round Rock, TX
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| Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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In order to properly do HID's you would need a projector setup, otherwise the light is not focused and goes everywhere. You wouldn't get much of an improvement in lighting and without the projector you are blinding other drivers. My personal opinion, you want HID's go with a modern car, they would look like a sore thumb on a Ghia.
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Jason
My 64 1500 S Notchback project here
My 58 sedan project here
My 63 Ghia here |
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ivwshane
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 1920
Location: Sacramento ca
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| Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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| lawn ninja wrote: |
| In order to properly do HID's you would need a projector setup, otherwise the light is not focused and goes everywhere. You wouldn't get much of an improvement in lighting and without the projector you are blinding other drivers. My personal opinion, you want HID's go with a modern car, they would look like a sore thumb on a Ghia. |
I dont know, I think these would look good on a ghia with a slightly aggressive stance, assuming you aren't all about being stock.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lw6Ir3oj5Tg&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dlw6Ir3oj5Tg
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KGCoupe
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
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| Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 6:40 am Post subject: |
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| ivwshane wrote: |
| lawn ninja wrote: |
| In order to properly do HID's you would need a projector setup, otherwise the light is not focused and goes everywhere. You wouldn't get much of an improvement in lighting and without the projector you are blinding other drivers. My personal opinion, you want HID's go with a modern car, they would look like a sore thumb on a Ghia. |
I dont know, I think these would look good on a ghia with a slightly aggressive stance, assuming you aren't all about being stock.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lw6Ir3oj5Tg&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dlw6Ir3oj5Tg |
Agreed - those would look great on a full custom or even resto-custom Ghia. |
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dziambel
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Joined: July 28, 2006
Posts: 86
Location: Poland
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lawn ninja
Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2006
Posts: 1009
Location: Round Rock, TX
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| Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 11:00 am Post subject: |
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It's all preference obviously, but my personal opinion is the halos and HID's are best left to modern cars.
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Jason
My 64 1500 S Notchback project here
My 58 sedan project here
My 63 Ghia here |
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rockerarm
Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2009
Posts: 3552
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Max. If it is just sealed beam 7" halogen assy's you are looking for as a back-up/replacement let me know because here in So Cal I have access to up to 6-7 pic-a-part self service yards and I have bought those headlites for about $2-$3 each. I am more than welcome to recon a couple out for you or anyone else.
But I like the deal Bus Depot has on the pair of Bosch H-4's minus the bulbs for about $50. The bulbs can be bought almost anywhere. I prefer the Sylvania Plus (I think) that I get at Wal Mart. This is my best bang fo yo buck. I have purchased the High end quality Cibie's from Daniel Stern.
Hope this helps. Bill |
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Freezzr
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2005
Posts: 300
Location: The Netherlands
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| Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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Hi guys, re-opening this topic...
I'm looking for the right headlights for my '65 ghia vert. I really like the 'domed' shape lights you posted pics of earlier. Do you perhaps have the fabricator and productnrs. of these for me so I can start looking around for them? |
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Disc
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2009
Posts: 558
Location: Europe
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Freezzr
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2005
Posts: 300
Location: The Netherlands
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| Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:59 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Disc!
I'm going to check that out. Jees I've seen some prices on headlights... |
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akear
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2013
Posts: 359
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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| philermonic wrote: |
Not sure if this helps or not.
My H4's:
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These Autopals were just discussed in another thread, here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=592449
And available on Ebay here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250895412882?item=250895412882&viewitem=&vxp=mtr
These seem like a great option for the money, and so I've been checking around the web to find out what I can. The thread and the Ebay site say these are motorcycle lamps. I'm not sure. I found this Ebay AU site that has the same HL-101 part number but this site suggests these are for cars, but right hand drive?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Autopal-H4-Curved-Lens-...1063062192
"These lights have curvatures designed to send light out in a 3d kidney bean shape so that it covers the road surface to the right in front of oncoming traffic, but also lifts to the left and lights up the opposite side of the road and well forwards directly in front of you. When you hit the high beam the light is then beamed all over the road and beyond."
Makes some sense these may be RH drive lamps since Autopal is made in India, a RH drive country. Not sure what practical difference this would make, other than the right, curb or ditch side of the road will be well lit. Philermonic, have you noticed a difference left vs. right? Anyone else have experience with these lamps? |
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mfitzsimor
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Joined: May 09, 2004
Posts: 171
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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If you look at the pattern of fluting on the glass, you can see that they are indeed for a right hand drive car. The beam pattern needs to dip down on the side of the car that meets oncoming traffic.
A right hand drive auto in the left hand lane of a road has oncoming traffic to its right. You can see the glass fluting dip down in that direction.
Here in the US, a left hand drive country, the light pattern needs to dip down to the vehicle's left.
An auto headlight has a horizontal beam pattern to light up as wide a swath of the road as possible. A motorcycle headlight has a more circular or bean shaped pattern to better light the road when the motorcycle is leaned over in the curve. They will work in a car, but the light pattern won't be optimal. A true auto headlight will have better coverage in a ghia.
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