Date:         Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:50:28 -0800
Reply-To:     John Anderson <wvukidsdoc@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Anderson <wvukidsdoc@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      HIDs? Was: Does the H4 bulb put out more light than the 9004 bulb?
In-Reply-To:  <4af99254.0338560a.32aa.ffff8712@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

This raises an interesting point.  First, I know this is "illegal" but so were all the higher wattage halogen lights I installed from 80's till the present in vans.
 
Anyone running HID retrofits in stock rectangular housings?
 
I ask this because last fall I broke down and installed the cheapest (well with good rep) off of ebay set in my wifes Rav4 I could buy.  Just little 5300K 30W jobs at that.  Cost like $89 delivered to AK.  Over a year on, they are still there running fine, with UNBELIEVEABLE light output compared to the SilverStar's they replaced, and this is from a setup pulling half the wattage, that seamlessly slipped right in (available in pretty much ANY bulb configurations.)  I did NOT expect this frankly, and immediately installed a set in my plow lights on the Suburban but have been too lazy to in the Syncro, as it will need 4 bulbs and cost me like a whopping $180.  I also polished the lenses on her Rav4 at the same time, but the light output was from the HIDs before my polishing.  I did countless passes to decide if they were more annoying to oncoming traffic when I put them in and decided they were not (just look like HIDs), and we've never been flashed
 for having them, perhaps with the 50W one might, not with these.  Seat of the pants side by side light output was easily twice a relatively new SilverStar in the same reflector.  The upgrade is particularly appealing for an older van (and actually I put them in my TR4A as well) as one ballast truely pulls less than 3A (I've run em on my regulated and monitored DC supply) so provides actual light without stressing wiring not up to the task, without need for relays and a HD wire to the battery.
 
Anyway probably discussed before but if not, consider it folks.  The snow arrived last PM, and I've not decided if I will run the syncro or not this winter (needs a driveshaft), so I've yet to decide on the lights obviously.
 
John


>Yes because a halogen burns hotter & more efficient you will get more light