H4 Headlights Options

[Cal]

I'm considering updating my sealed beam headlights with period correct H4's. What's the maximum wattage bulb that can be installed without having to install relays? In the past I've installed H1's with 100/80 watt bulbs in my early SWB 911 and I needed to install relays. I'm not interested in LED lights.

[ClayPerrine]

When I built my six conversion, I put in the 914-6 style column. The turn signal switch is also the dimmer switch, and carries the whole load of the headlights. I was planning on putting in H4 headlights with really big bulbs, so I ran a new fused power lead all the way to each headlight, and put in relays to turn on the headlights. That lowered the amp load on the dimmer switch to just what was required to trigger the relays. Then I put in the brightest halogen bulb I could get. It was substantially better than the original sealed beam lights.

We also had H4 halogen lights in Betty's car, but with the lowest wattage bulb. When 914 Rubber offered the LED conversion kits for the H4 lights, I put a set in her car.

The difference was (pun intended) night and day. The headlights were so much more effective, and the amp load on the alternator went way down. Parked next to my six conversion, the LED lights were visibly brighter. So we put a set in my six conversion.

Now I have all the fancy wiring for high load bulbs, and I really don't need it.

We were so impressed, we even put a set of the H4 conversion bulbs in the factory six.

Clay