Non-Legal Headlight Bulbs

[stevenva]

These are the H4/HB2/9003 bulbs that are intended for motorcycles and special service vehicles that I will be installing in my 96 Legacy.

http://store.candlepower.com/64206.html

I will post a photo side-by-side comparison of these and the current ones. The current ones, (http://store.candlepower.com/64205.html), are over-watt as well but not as much.

For the headlights I am running relays, 12 Gauge wiring and ceramic bulb sockets. My alternators output is 14.7 volts. The relays gave me trouble because I wasn't expecting the headlight circuit to be negative trigger. The bulbs probably won't last more than 6 months.

[broknindarkagain]

Do a pic against the garage door before and after install...and a pic of one headlight with new and one with old at the same time would be kind of cool to see too

[stevenva]

You'll have to settle for one side old and one side new. I only have 1 bulb working now. (low beam's out)

[broknindarkagain]

Good for me!

[stevenva]

Here are the side by side pics. The bulb pictured above is on the drivers side.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr85/smstavros/P1000955.jpg[/img]"]http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr85/smstavros/P1000955.jpg

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr85/smstavros/P1000964.jpg[/img]"]http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr85/smstavros/P1000964.jpg

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr85/smstavros/P1000958.jpg[/img]"]http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr85/smstavros/P1000958.jpg

[broknindarkagain]

They look like the same bulbs on each side in the pics

[camroncamera]

These are the H4/HB2/9003 bulbs that are intended for motorcycles and special service vehicles that I will be installing in my 96 Legacy.

http://store.candlepower.com/64206.html

I will post a photo side-by-side comparison of these and the current ones. The current ones, (http://store.candlepower.com/64205.html), are over-watt as well but not as much.

For the headlights I am running relays, 12 Gauge wiring and ceramic bulb sockets. My alternators output is 14.7 volts. The relays gave me trouble because I wasn't expecting the headlight circuit to be negative trigger. The bulbs probably won't last more than 6 months.

 

I'd love to see a wiring diagram with your relay arrangement for a ground-switched system. I know that the USDM BD/BG/BK has a factory 15A headlight relay, but I'd like to upgrade my circuit for my JDM projector headlights. I'll be installing JDM projector foglights and JDM GT-B Limited spotlights at some point in the future and know that I'll have to plan my circuits carefully.

[BAC5.2]

Be VERY careful. There's a good chance a bulb that high wattage will melt the housing.

 

Wiring for the second gen should look like this:

 

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii287/bac52/SFdiagramforBruce.gif

 

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii287/bac52/H4_Pinout-2.jpg

 

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii287/bac52/H4_Pinout-3.jpg

 

When I made an HD harness for my Forester, I used individual relays and wiring for each side, and ceramic connectors. It turned out very very well

[stevenva]

Pay close attention to the relay that is used in his drawing. Although it looks like a common 12V automotive relay at first glance, and will use the same socket, electrically it is different. It has TWO 87 outputs and no 87a. It is not as common. It is used primarily for auxiliary lighting kits. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002MAE0M/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M2T1_ST1_dp_2]http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002MAE0M/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M2T1_ST1_dp_2[/ame]

You can use KC Hilites 3300 12 Volt Relay

It has the two 87 outputs that are in the diagram.

Those are the ones I used for my setup. It makes wiring a bit easier if you are using heavy gauge.

[BAC5.2]

Definitely understand the relay configuration before working. The numbering I used may not match your relay.

 

The diagram I made could be easily adapted to a standard SPST 4-prong relay by splicing two wires to the 87 terminal.

 

I ended up using two discrete HD harnesses in my Forester, one for each headlight.

[stevenva]

I was only clarifying for camroncamera. I ended up using two discrete HD harnesses in my Forester, one for each headlight. That is strange? Don't you mean 1 for highbeams and the 2nd for lowbeams.

[BAC5.2]

I was only clarifying for camroncamera. I ended up using two discrete HD harnesses in my Forester, one for each headlight. That is strange? Don't you mean 1 for highbeams and the 2nd for lowbeams.

 

I appreciate you doing so, I'd completely forgotten to mention it.

 

And yes, that's what I meant. A separate harness for the highs and lows. It was more than 4 years ago, and the details have slipped a bit.

[stevenva]

Update:

After all the work I've done going through 3 sets of better performing bulbs, Upgrading the wiring and sockets ect., I have decided to throw in the towel with the stock reflector housings and admit defeat. That last pair of over-watt bulbs lasted 4 months. Save your time and frustrations and get some JDM projectors.

I just ordered a pair from eBay last night.

The RHD cutoff is irrelevant since I will be retrofitting them with a Morimoto Mini HID kit.

Does anybody know which low beam bulb goes in the JDM housing. I'm asking that because the threaded mounting shaft is different between the H1(22mm) and the D2S(32mm) versions.

[Zues Marine]

H1 bulb in JDM projectors

[stevenva]

Thanks Zues.

I was afraid of that. I was hoping it was the larger H4. I am still leaning to the D2S version since they're available in 50 watt.

[Zues Marine]

huh? i dont understand what you mean..

 

you can buy 55w or 35w HID kits in any variation of bulb size

 

and i thought i saw on theretrofitsource that you can snag up the projectors with any bulb size too

[snederhiser]

Hello;

I run a H5 bulb in my motorcycle with no ill effects. The stock lighting circuit in my 1st gen is rated @ 15amps per side. P (watts) = I (amps) X E (volts). 90watts divided by 15volts = 6amps. The headlight circuit wiring is a little wimpy so you could rewire with 12 gauge wire and be more than safe. Steven.

[stevenva]

They're already rewired with relays going to the battery. On TRC the H1 kit is only available in 35 watt. I'm going to wait till my JDM projectors arrive and disassemble them to see which kit would be ideal. I may just go with a 35 watt H1 kit if it's more straightforward. I've researched and the differences are nit-picky.

[Thomistopheles]

FX-R. Don't bother trying to make mini h1/d2s work in the JDM projectors. You're not going to be able to make use of the main appeal of the minis, which is how they mount. FX-R has been done in the JDM lights and their output is a billion times better than the morimoto mini projectors.

 

If you try running 50/55w HIDs in minis, don't be surprised when they burn your reflector bowls and your output goes to shit. Run 35w ballasts and Philips or Osram OEM D2s bulbs.

[stevenva]

OK. 35 watt it will be.

I'm going to take my time examining the JDM housings once they arrive. I will post detailed measurements of it's internals to aid others. (since I can't find any)

My goal is to mount the best projector practical, while retaining the ability to adjust the lights.

[Thomistopheles]

I don't know if he's still around, but you can try sending heresmymind a message. He has done FX-R projectors in the JDM lights and has a lot of experience.

[Zues Marine]

yeah, brandon, i'll fb message him, he sold his legacy i believe

[stevenva]

I sent him a P.M.

Maybe he'll respond