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New Head Light Bulb Question

I remember some talk a while back about some folks changing their head light bulbs and when I search for items I find a lot of topics on what ever subject but have a hard time pinning down my exact question/answer. So I thought I'd run this by the forum for some thoughts and or suggestions. Thanks in advance :)

I was at my local Car Quest auto parts store and happened to see Phillips had a large assortment of bulbs for my old Ford headlights on the front of our 1991 coach. There were 3 different choices with each having a little different feature.

One was a xenon style that was called Crystal Vision...those had a blueish color
One was called Night Guide and showed what looked like a multicolored spectrum
One was called X-treme Power and provided the brightest of the three.

In either choice the highest priced was $45-$49 per bulb. I know that many of you don't drive at night but we like to start our journeys about 2-3 in the morning and drive while few people are on the highways. I also don't mind driving upwards of midnight depending on our destination at the time and how I feel. So, I'd like some input about your thoughts and I may just have to pick up a new set  ( 2 ) of bulbs. Current'y we just have basic stock bulbs to my knowledge.

Hope your day is great !!

Carl
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: New Head Light Bulb Question

Reply #1 –

First, you can increase the light output dramatically with a direct connection to the battery and a relay controlled by the light switch.

Alternately, you 'could' add HID, but at the height your Unihome housings are mounted you would burn the retinae out of every oncoming driver. And the first cop that saw you would have you stopped in a NY minute once he got the stars out of his eyes...

I would consider replacing the Hella fogs with a pair of their Micro-FF driving lamps. You will be amazed (google Amazon Hella 007133811 Micro FF Amazon.com: Hella 007133811 Micro FF Driving Lamp Kit: Automotive).

Or surface mount a pair of Micro DE driving lamps - a lot pricier.

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The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: New Head Light Bulb Question

Reply #2 –
Dave, are these direct replacements for the fogs without any adaptation?
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: New Head Light Bulb Question

Reply #3 –
Sure - they would be a little smaller, is all. They can be bought in a fog or driving light configuration. One of their very best designs, overshadowed by the popularity of HID projectors.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: New Head Light Bulb Question

Reply #4 –
 So Dave, let me see if I have what your saying straight. Don't change the current bulb in my actual headlight housing, but do connect direct to the battery. Buy new Hella lights that you mention and pop out the old ones I have and pop in the new ones.

Now, 2 questions. Couldn't I just replace the bulbs in the Hella's I have with the bulbs from the replacements you mention?

And this one a bit more complex....What would be the method you would use to connect direct to the battery and in what way would I connect a relay?

Is there a fuse for this under my dash and if so, how would the actual connection be made safely?

I'm up for the battery connection if you can describe how to do it right.
And you really believe that the new Hella lights or new bulbs will make THAT much difference?
Come to think of it I think I have clear driving lights in the lower housing that you mention placing the Hella's, I'll have to check though.
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: New Head Light Bulb Question

Reply #5 –
For the Hellas - The design of the reflector is what makes it such an improvement, not the bulb.
For the headlights - a Bosch 30 amp relay is what I would use with probably 12 guage wiring. Look at the image link below' Attach a 12 ga line from the big solenoid behind the dash. That would be the 12V battery positive (its got a 4/0 or so cable going directly to the battery) - that goes to '30'. The 12V control will come from your headlight switch (the old main power) to '85'. '86' is control ground, to the ground bar behind the dash. '87' is more 12 guage wire to each headlight. This is 20 minutes work with 15 bucks worth of material, solderless terminals and a crimper.
Google Images

OR you could spend a serious amount of cash and buy stuff like this:  Heavy Duty Headlight Wiring Harness with relays increases voltage over stock wir

No matter what, this is easy work. If you want, I will do it for you the next time you come to FL.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT
 

Re: New Head Light Bulb Question

Reply #6 –
I have always replaced the stock H4 (9003, HB2) bulbs in my cars with 100 watt hi/55 watt low bulbs. 100 watts is the limit for stock wiring and 55 watts is the same as the stock bulb so oncoming drivers won't be blinded when on low beam. These are halogen bulbs. Any higher wattage will need wiring modifications (Dave's post above). Order a couple of extras as easy to store in a small space. Replacements can be purchased at a motorcycle shop in the US. Other aftermarket halogens are available online for different SAE numbers. Do a search on ebay for halogen bulbs. For H4s, see: All Categories  Going to do mine GV this month.

Xenon lighting is becoming more popular now. I have never tried a set but have read that the the digital power supply has a limited lifespan. Two years for the cheaper and three plus for the better sets. How do you tell what is better? Don't know. Price is not usually a good indicator of quality.

The stock wiring has worked OK for me but Dave has an excellent point, it is not hard to put a relay in with larger wires and get more lumens without heating your wires. To be extra safe, you can install a relay for each headlight. In the case of a relay failure, you will still have one operating headlight. Easy to compare voltage at fuse block and at headlights when they are on, engine running. I put a couple of aircraft landing lights in the front of my Fiat 850 sport to replace the fog lights for a trip to Mexico. Installed a relay and went direct to the battery that was only a couple feet away. They turned night into day but the alternator could not keep up for an extended period.

I have not bothered with the fog lights as they are so low (naturally for fog) and using the area for driving lights is not a good idea as they would put an annoying amount of light (just my opinion) on the road just ahead. They take so much abuse from water and road debris that they become an eyesore in a few years. Thought a couple of off road halogen lights on the roof or even on the bumper (or behind the grill) would be great on dark roads without traffic but this is another project on a long list.

Never touch the glass in a halogen bulb. If you do, wipe with alcohol as the oil in your fingers will heat the glass and shorten the life of the bulb.

Pierce & Gaylie
'93 U300/36
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)