Dim lights after JDM headlight swap? - Honda Prelude Forum

red92s · 07-25-2005, 02:23 PM

Finaly got my JDM balckhousing headlights installed.

They look great, but I'm rather disapointed by the light output when using the low beams. It seems very dim and yellowish, not much better than when I was running with only ONE bulb on my old headlights. I'm using brand new Sylvania bulbs, and stock wiring with "normal gauge" h1/h4 harnesses soldered on. Currently, the H4 low filament is being used for the low beams, and the H1 for the high beams.

Any thoughts on why the output might be so poopy?

Aznluder · 07-25-2005, 02:40 PM

I wired mine up so that the H4 will use two filament.

TruNinja619 · 07-25-2005, 03:37 PM

mines are fine......

I put on a set of MTEC for the low beams... that helped a lil...

red92s · 07-25-2005, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aznluder

I wired mine up so that the H4 will use two filament.

From what I've read, H4's are not designed to have both filaments illuminated at the same time. Apparently doing that dramaticly reduces bulb life and melts harnesses.

KB798 · 07-25-2005, 06:40 PM

My setup is identical to yours when I switched from USDM headlights to now. My old bulbs were so old that they were starting to die out, so when I installed my JDM headlights everything seemed brighther...but not by much. I figure it's because the blackhousing is not as reflective as the chrome housing in the USDM headlights, and it takes a little bit away from the illuminacity.

jinusean · 07-26-2005, 12:42 AM

Yeah, that is a problem with them I believe. I have a Hella HID kit in it aimed pretty low and as far to the right as I could and the output is still pretty ****ty. What I am going to try and do is put the H4 harness onto the H1 harness so that my brights will turn on the H4 low beams. I think it's just that they aren't getting enough power from the low beams. I'll get back when I have the chance to do this.

Aznluder · 07-26-2005, 01:47 AM

I have mine setup so that the H4 bulb will illuminate both it filament for the pass 2 days already. So far nothing has been melted or blown.

IMO i find that by wiring the h4 to illuminate is the only way to get it any brighter then it is stock on the black housing. I may be wrong.

UWNTSUM · 07-26-2005, 01:49 AM

you have HID and its still not bright enough for u? UH.... i get complaints that mine are too BRIGHT even when i have them aimed super low. I think with HID on JDM 1pc Black housing should be more than sufficent lighting.

spin_r_g · 07-26-2005, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UWNTSUM

you have HID and its still not bright enough for u? UH.... i get complaints that mine are too BRIGHT even when i have them aimed super low. I think with HID on JDM 1pc Black housing should be more than sufficent lighting.

I've never experieced using stock bulbs on the JDMs. I've had multiple type of bulbs on usdm housings and they all sucked. I could never see anything. So I decided to get a HID kit for them. Was a lot brighter and I could see a lot better but the beam pattern was terrible there was just too must scattered useless light. Then I decided to get JDM housings and right away put an HID kit them. The light was more focused with the JDMs and HIDs and I could see better than with the usdm housings. So I agree with UWNTSUM I don't get how it's not bright enough for you. But now I have HID projectors

and I have no complaints.

red92s · 07-26-2005, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aznluder

I have mine setup so that the H4 bulb will illuminate both it filament for the pass 2 days already. So far nothing has been melted or blown.

Give it time . . .

Aznluder · 07-26-2005, 08:46 AM

LOL Red92s Thats not good.
Dont curse me like that

JDMugenBB1 · 07-27-2005, 11:47 AM

I've been running double filament for the past 2 yrs. Granted I don't use both at the same time, all the time. My low beam H4 is pretty bright tho, but no brighter than stock. I swapped out the stock H4 harness with some heavy duty H4 harnesses & they are still in perfect condition. I have the H1's running off a fog light kit so I can run those when ever I want. I've been using the same Raybrig bulbs for the past 2 yrs with no problems. I highly recommend raybrig bulbs to some anyone looking to buy.

ceasar

Prelude_92 · 07-30-2005, 03:06 PM

i just got my PIAA gtx bulbs for my h4 ill see what they look like tonight i have high hopes of them over my stock bulbs i am expecting a huge change. if not i will consult jdm mugen bb1 for my raybrigs.

Aznluder · 07-30-2005, 06:52 PM

I dont know if any of the U.S car has the DRL (daytime running light) but when i turn my car on both the H4 and H1 goes on at the same time while the h4 has both it filament power on. As soon as i switch my light on, the H1 turns off and that only the h4 stays on with both filament.

Is this normal?
Or did i wire something wrong/right!?

Prelude_92 · 07-30-2005, 07:24 PM

looks like its wired backwards...

Aznluder · 07-31-2005, 12:59 AM

if i understand correctly H1 is highbeam and H4 is low beam.
So from my understanding if its backward and h1 stays on when i turn my light on... Thats wrong no?