No, I'm not wondering how to install neon wiper lights... :pface
I'd like to upgrade the lighting on my 1989 s13 and have a few general questions. With all this talk of HID's and HID-like, I'm a bit confused:
1) What are actual HID's? They're not just a bulb and harness upgrade, right?
2) What are these H3 or H4 conversions I've read about? Is that just upgrading the harness to handle higher wattage bulbs?
3) What are the different categories of bulbs? i.e. what is the difference between h3 and h4, etc...
4) If I want to run higher wattages, do I need to change the actual lamps too? Can I just use stock?
I know about silverstars and they seem like the most bang for the buck with a set of new lamps, but I just wanted to clear up what my other options are...
Thanks!
Lighting Questions
ok, well, first off, a hid lighting setup uses a hid bulb, a ballast and an ignitor. think of hid as a camera flash bulb that constantly stays on. it works totally different from regular incandescent light bulbs.
hid-like is a cheap imitation of hid systems. its a simple bulb change.
different categories of bulbs are different bulb and base styles to fit into different housings. it depends on the car, different cars use different bulbs.
when you step to a higher wattage bulb, the bulb draws more amperage through the harness, and produces more heat.you run the risk of frying the wiring harness for the bulbs and damaging the reflector housing.
hid-like is a cheap imitation of hid systems. its a simple bulb change.
different categories of bulbs are different bulb and base styles to fit into different housings. it depends on the car, different cars use different bulbs.
when you step to a higher wattage bulb, the bulb draws more amperage through the harness, and produces more heat.you run the risk of frying the wiring harness for the bulbs and damaging the reflector housing.
ok, on pop up lights, the bulb is the entire glass unit in the headlight [sealed beam bulb]
when you change headlight on those kind of cars, the entire glass part comes out and gets replaced.
newer cars use bulbs in a headlight housing that are installed from the back of the headlight. the entire housing remains in the vehicle.
in order to use hid lights on a car with sealed beam headlights, you need an adapter. what it is, is a unit the same size as the sealed beam bulb, but it accepts a modular bulb at the back of it, instead of it being one big bulb.
get it, its just a special housing that allows you to use normal bulbs instead of the sealed beam unit.
when you change headlight on those kind of cars, the entire glass part comes out and gets replaced.
newer cars use bulbs in a headlight housing that are installed from the back of the headlight. the entire housing remains in the vehicle.
in order to use hid lights on a car with sealed beam headlights, you need an adapter. what it is, is a unit the same size as the sealed beam bulb, but it accepts a modular bulb at the back of it, instead of it being one big bulb.
get it, its just a special housing that allows you to use normal bulbs instead of the sealed beam unit.
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mrbean
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Ok, I've done some research and have some more questions:
1) If I convert my sealed beam lights to H4 lights, besides the actual lamp housing and bulbs, are there any other parts necessary? Will the bulbs connect right to my existing wiring?
2) Do I need seperate bulbs for low and high beam, or are there dual beam bulbs available? i.e. Do I have to get 2 bulbs per lamp or just 1 each?
3) With the H4 housing conversion, I can use regular H4 halogens for now, and then pop in an H4 HID conversion later (if and when I have the money...) without changing the housing, correct?
I think I have a pretty good idea how these things work now, I just need to make sure I have all the details down to know exactly what I need. Thanks again!
1) If I convert my sealed beam lights to H4 lights, besides the actual lamp housing and bulbs, are there any other parts necessary? Will the bulbs connect right to my existing wiring?
2) Do I need seperate bulbs for low and high beam, or are there dual beam bulbs available? i.e. Do I have to get 2 bulbs per lamp or just 1 each?
3) With the H4 housing conversion, I can use regular H4 halogens for now, and then pop in an H4 HID conversion later (if and when I have the money...) without changing the housing, correct?
I think I have a pretty good idea how these things work now, I just need to make sure I have all the details down to know exactly what I need. Thanks again!