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iradi
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007
Posts: 211
Location: Miami, Fla
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 Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:51 am Post subject: Lights and night vision |
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I use my car daily, she has the original lights and are well aligned. But lately I have had to travel at lot at night and the streets on this zone do not count on good illumination.
I have always received good advice from this forum and desire to know if the same units sealed for coupe 74 but with better illumination exist ( halogen ) or if I place fog lights to her .
In case of fog lights, if one of you have photos of your cars and references, better to keep the nice line of the car.
Thanks
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4111
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nikita
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2007
Posts: 531
Location: California
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:00 am Post subject: |
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| Good quality H4 units are a lot better than adding fogs. The light distribution pattern is far superior, especially on low beam. |
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johnnyrotten
I Cure Seizures!!!
Joined: January 06, 2004
Posts: 1209
Location: Behind the security gate
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:31 am Post subject: |
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| nikita wrote: |
| Good quality H4 units are a lot better than adding fogs. The light distribution pattern is far superior, especially on low beam. |
but fog lights look cool  looks before safety, right 
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In the garage....
64 Ghia
66 beetle
56 Oval rag
58 ex-art project Beetle
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NOVA Airhead
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 5221
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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I would make sure your lights work properly and you are getting full illumination. I live in a rural area where there is virtually no lighting. I find the standard headlights work fine.
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werka
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2006
Posts: 1110
Location: Huntsville, AL
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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| You may need to play with where your lights are currently aligned to. You can pull your car facing the house, and turn your lights on. If your headlighs are pointing crazy directions, then you will be better off, pulling it, and adjusting it, then trying this again. |
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blarneyman
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2005
Posts: 1622
Location: Everson/Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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How old are the lights that are in the car? I replaced both headlights on my bug when I repainted it. It was literally like a night and day difference.
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69 Beetle
70 Ghia(resto) |
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crocteau
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2005
Posts: 1204
Location: Philaburbia
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject: Re: Lights and night vision |
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| iradi wrote: |
| But lately I have had to travel at lot at night and the streets on this zone do not count on good illumination. |
I can relate to that; I often drive at night where deer prance around in the unlighted roads, so to help light my way I replaced the stock sealed beam units on my '71 Ghia with some Cibie units with Osram 60/55 watt H4 bulbs, and now driving at night I'm as happy as a clam. Look before you leap in regard to local laws, etc., but if you need more candlepower you can get H4 bulbs with higher wattage ratings. If you go that route I'd caution you to consider beefing up the wiring of your headlight circuit beforehand.
Charley
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iradi
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007
Posts: 211
Location: Miami, Fla
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks to all.
Rgds |
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KTPhil 
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 34003
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Hella H4 E-code halogens are great. Make sure your wire connections are clean, tight. I also added some Bosch fogs, and the combo is great when aimed right. My night vision is not great, and this makes up for it without sending glare into other's eyes. The wide fog beams help on town when turning, and really are great when it rains and road detail is lost. Use relay(s) on the fogs. Make sure your grounds are all good. |
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DerekR
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 384
Location: Riverton, Utah
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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I love my H4's! I would never go back to sealed beams.
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60 SO 23 Westfalia SWR/BG Camper
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furbo
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2003
Posts: 147
Location: Harker Heights, TX
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:47 am Post subject: |
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I replaced the stockers with Hella units. Very sweet, one of the best Mods I made. 
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79 Westy
70 Ghia Vert
95 Mex Beetle
Eccl 9:10 |
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70 140
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2002
Posts: 8471
Location: Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:54 am Post subject: |
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| Bosch H4s on mine. Osram 55/60 bulbs. There is no need to upgrade wiring for this setup unless you want a higher wattage bulb. |
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iradi
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007
Posts: 211
Location: Miami, Fla
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:46 am Post subject: |
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Is this the correct reference for the Hella H4 ?
What is the Bosch reference ?
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NOVA Airhead
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 5221
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:24 am Post subject: |
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KTPhil wrote:
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| The wide fog beams help on town when turning |
Why would you need fog lights in town? Is it an area without street lighting and little traffic?
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Banzai KG
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2004
Posts: 2992
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:31 am Post subject: |
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I have been running H4 halogens on my Ghia since mid 80s, then switched to H4 Sylvania SilverStars bulbs a few years ago. The SilverStars made a quite a difference, especially driving thru the twisties at night.
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Sunnyvale (near San Jose), CA
1964 Karmann Ghia coupe
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4111
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:33 am Post subject: |
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| iradi wrote: |
Is this the correct reference for the Hella H4 ?
What is the Bosch reference ?
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Looks to me to be the same H4 lamp. Just different manufacturers. I would imagine that the fluting on the lenses and perhaps the profile might be a bit different but both would fit a Ghia.
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