The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

I was considering these as a direct replacement with no other modifications in my 2015 gen 2. any experience with these or may there be a better option for direct swap?

$29 PHILIPS X-treme Vision +130% Headlight Bulbs (Pack of 2) (H4 60/55W)

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X-tr...eywords=ge+nighthawk+h4&qid=1577722173&sr=8-9

 

I did not test those in the standardized test when I did a bunch of bulbs, but I did compare them to to the Volsa +100s, and by some rudimentary light meter comparison they were within 3% of the Volsa bulbs but had a bit whiter output. You can see where the Volsa +100s fall on the output chart below. While the Philips Xtreme Vision +130 are good bulbs, I'd opt for the Philips Racing Vision +150 for higher intensity output instead.

Copy/past from the main thread:

Philips vs Volsa:
While Osram and Philips are constantly compared and about equal when running the latest version of each bulb, I hadn't seen any comparison with Volsa +100, which was marketed as a replacement to the outgoing 70w Osrams. So I took the opportunity to compare them on a 1st Gen later in the thread here.

 

I have a set due to arrive today. 2 years ago I put in a set of the Osram's....70/65, I think? Whatever the higher wattage Osram was you could use w/out redoing the harness and wiring.

I loved those lights, but one finally burned out Saturday. I don't feel like upgrading the harness. The 1st gen comparison between the Philips and Volsa bulbs convinced me to try the Philips. Since I still have one good Osram left, I'll swap out the bad bulb and do some comparisons.

Really hope these Philips are comparable, but I'm setting my expectations low. :-/

 

Brightest legal better than stock in stock housimg?

 

Brightest legal better than stock in stock housimg?

 

The GE Xenon H4s have the best low beam performance without sacrificing the high beam. The Philips Racing Vision +150s have higher low beam intensity, but coat the high beam filament in a blue coating which will reduce performance. You can compare the low beam intensity difference between the GE Xenons and the Philips Racing Vision +150 in the chart in my previous post or in the original thread.

 

Thanks Amazon!

 

Remember, you need the HD harness for those bad boys.

 

Harness? What harness? (Already installed!)

 

Why are the headlight harnesses 12AWG? If my math is right, a 100w bulb at 13.8v has about 7.5amps of current. Double that to 15, and you're only looking at a voltage drop of about 2.2% with 14AWG, or 1.4% with 12AWG.

I'm sure it has something to do with resistance or engine bay temperature, I just don't understand it. I'm asking because I was thinking about making my own harness, and it's much cheaper to do with 14AWG.

 

Hopefully, you mean an upgraded harness is already installed, rather than the bulbs? Running those bulbs on the OEM harness could overheat, causing a fire hazard.

 

14 AWG would certainly work as well, but 12 does perform better. All my lighting stuff is optimized for peak performance. IIRC the voltage gain was .3v at the connector from a 12AWG harness. Operating voltage does fluctuate quite a bit based on alternator output, but also if the vehicle is off and running on battery alone. I always use 12.0v as a safety factor for calculations, which puts draw at 16.7A combined.

Yikes! I thought he was saying that he already had it installed. I didn’t think of it that way. You definitely want a harness to pull 100w through each headlight.

 

Hopefully, you're right and I'm just paranoid.

 

Headlight Services harness was installed 12-18 months ago. I do appreciate the concern though!

 

So 14AWG should be safe, 12AWG is just to minimize the voltage drop and maximize output. I can deal with a slightly lower output as long as it's still safe from overheating.

 

I ordered the racing vision, thanks!

 

Yep! 14 AWG will work fine. Be sure to use ceramic connectors at the bulbs in your build.

 

Thanks @crashnburn80 for the research and advice! I already received my wiring harness from Headlight Services and now still waiting on my bulbs (AllSeason 85/80w from Amazon UK and Siuper Brights from PowerBulbs). Super excited to upgrade my headlights. Thanks!

 

You were able to find the 85/80w bulbs?

 

Yo, if you did, hook the forum up.