Date:         Wed, 28 Mar 2001 23:38:25 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: headlight advice
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>I need some advice - anybody know the output of the H4 euro style round halogen
>headlights offered at places like the Bus Depot versus the light output from
>regular halogens like sylvania? I want the best lighting I can get but don't
>want to spend money for something that's just different and not any better than
>regular halogens.


Outright claimed wattage is only an indication of actual usable output. A
poorly-designed/made reflector, lens and bulb will give hot spots, black
holes and generally dim beam. A good unit overall can give a broad
long-reaching beam with no holes or hot spots.

I have owned vehicles (including the stock H4s in my 84) with really
EXCELLENT 60/55W QHs. And others with really poor 100/80s (aftermarket East
German H4 bulbs in my 75 Bay's stock headlights) or 6V 60/55 H4 bulbs in my
57's stock lights.

Those 100/80s ran far too hot and their bases actually burned out and
disintegrated (the filaments still worked fine).


Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand
fax 64 (3) 479-7527
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
VW van (something for every man), Toyota diesel & seashell nut
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