A Q on lighting...

[24OZ]

Can someone tell me what Hella H4's are?? I know that Hella make the lenses and the bulbs but what exactly is a H4?

Also does anyone have more info on the golf Mk1 light conversion... Mk1 golf lights are very easy to source here.

Whats the advantage of using sealed beam as opposed to the orginal lights?? What is exactly sealed beam???

and last BUT by no MEANS LEAST....are there any pitfulls to look out for when upgrading the lenses/bulbs??

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

[2ManyZs]

Actually the original lights are a sealed beam. The bulb (reflector and lens) and filament are made as a unit, whereas the later style lights are made as two distinct units. The filament is made separately from the lens and reflector and can be changed with simply a twist of the plug and removing the bulb. The bulb itself is a sealed unit in that the filament is enclosed in its own glass enclosure, and that is filled with gas to prevent the filament form burning up.

A sealed beam is a sealed unit with a fialment that is made as part of the assembly and whole unit is filled with a gas to prevent the filament from burning out. That's why a stone chip in the lens will burn out the light, the gas escapes and the filament then burns itself out.

[Phred]

Try this link for more info: http://lighting.mbz.org/

Phred

[Mike]

Good site Phred!

[EScanlon]

Big Note on changing your lights. Make sure that you either upgrade the wiring or use a relay system if you are going to step up to 90 / 100 watt lights. The original wiring was built for the 40-45 / 50-55w lights.

There are H4 lights that are 45/55 and will not tax your wiring, but stepping up the wattage WILL draw more current and if the wiring isn't up to it.......pooof! Meltdown Z!

2¢

[24OZ]

Thanks all for the great information.

[sjcurtis]

With the Hella H4 you are buying the bench mark in a good all around light unit/ insert. What stands the H4 hella up among its peers is it meet the regulatory requirement of most of the civilised world, and it is very functional it has a great reflector and it can stand lots of diffrent light inserts from pedestrian 56/55 watt up to the really evil eye burning inserts like 90/130 watt or more. Shop around for a good insert, the golf unit, some of the early fiat units, the lada niva units, even the good old nissan Koito inserts from the 280zx are H4 pattern lenses so you still get the correct light dispersal in high and low. the diffrences is the quality of the reflector and how long it will stay bright and reflective. At this time I am using lada H4 75/100 won my C20 Cheverolet Pickup, Koito H4 on my 12/71 Z 60/55 w and a set of old lucas carrillo H4 in my 6/73 Z daily driver. My wife has Koito H4 halogen sealed beams in her nissan patrol TD4.2. My favorite lights are the "Prince of darkness" specials "Lucas Corrillo H4" 90/130 watt with rellays fuses and heavy copper wire fed by an 55 amp alternator (Hitachi).

So for my 2c H4 is a world lighting standard pattern. And Hella is a well known supplier of a pretty good package.

Good luck with the hunt,

Please use relays and seperate wires to feed your new lights on high and low beam.

Steve:classic:

[EScanlon]

Then you can also go with something that will definitely catch people's eye when they see you coming both at dusk and at night.

The picture is of my Halo Headlights that I purchased with H4 45/55 lights.

Below you can also spot the fog lamps that are wired through the STOCK wiring. The only thing I've not been able to procure is the original / stock fog lamp switch.

2¢

[24OZ]

Guys you are all great!! Thank you!!

Enrique, i love the look!! Where can i get these lights??

[Mike]

I was reading something on that site sent by Phred ( http://lighting.mbz.org/ ) and they mentioned that some bulbs should not be used in a housing designed for a Halogen bulb.

There are two kinds of lights: filament and arc

They mention that your lights can actually become worse (more diffusion) if you don't set it up correctly. Ie: Use a light bulb designed for the housing your installing it to.

[EScanlon]

Found the information for the place I bought my Halo's at.

I've sent him an e-mail to see if he still has the ones for the 240 and I'll post his reply when it arrives.

Meanwhile, here's his information:

e-Mail: aunomi79@aol.com

Business Name:

Initial K Auto Concepts, Inc.

Attn: AU79

P.O. Box 465

Walnut, CA 91788-0465

U.S.A

They cost me $55.00 plus Shipping which was $15.00 for shipping in the Continental U.S..

Hope this helps others.

Enrique Scanlon

[24OZ]

Hi Enrique,

I had just read and replied to your PM prior to reading this.

Many thanks for the information. The prices seem exceptionally cheap for the Light units.