Bob,

Thanks for sharing your experience as well as the links. The poor light
pattern is what I fear with the factory light bucket mandated by Dead On
Track (DOT). Bucket it is - instead of being a reflector to guide the
light beams in a proper driving pattern.

Thanks for the descriptive "fetal MRI" pattern. This said it all about
the lens. I think I still will try it out as the cost for the upgrade is
very small. Also if I do decide to go the H4 route the only parts wasted
is just the 9004 bulbs. The relays are still used in the H4 setup.

On the happy note, I will be receiving my 2005 Mini which has the
self-leveling Xenon headlights. After getting used to those I think the
H4 will be inevitable for the camper as she will get very jealous.

http://gbmini.net/gallery/2005arrival/PICT0083

- Vince

http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net
1989 Vanagon GL Camper
1993 Mazda Miata
1996 Land Rover Discovery
2005 Mini Cooper S (almost here)

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Stevens [mailto:mtbiker62@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 10:51 PM
To: gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Upgrade 89 Headlight to 100/80W

ya, it's the relays that will be needed to keep from melting headlight
switches. The down side of the 80/100's is that the crummy, splattering
light pattern is just brighter. The increased light power is still not
well
focused and so not well applied to the road area. You still have the
"fetal
MRI" pattern on the road, rather than a nice bright cutoff pattern. I've

been "enjoying" this condition for a couple years because I'm too cheap
to
spend the moola for real lights. H4's.
no other problems with the stock "buckets". the increased power doesn't
seem
to harm them at all. Also, put 100 wt. bulbs in the brights (inner).
killer! some references: http://faq.auto.light.tripod.com/aux-ligths.htm
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

Bob Stevens

http://groups.msn.com/BobsPhotoShare
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tiico

----Original Message Follows----
From: Vince S <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
Reply-To: Vince S <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Upgrade 89 Headlight to 100/80W
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 22:11:42 -0700

Instead of going the spendy H4 European route I plan to replace the 9004
65/45W bulbs with the Hella 9004 100/80W bulbs. I am concern if the
increased heat from the higher wattage bulb will a)risk cracking the
lense housing b)risk melting the lamp socket or the wiring to it.

Here is the links to the Hella 9004 100/80W bulbs at Susquehanna
Motorsports. They also has one with Xenon gas to provide whiter light
(same light output):

http://www.rallylights.com/hella/9004.asp

They also has a very detailed Bulb Help page:
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/bulb_help.htm

Anyone has experience to share with this configuration over extended
time in hot climate?

I will add the relay and the change the fuse size for the increased
current.

Thanks in advance

- Vince

http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net
1989 Vanagon GL Camper
1993 Mazda Miata
1996 Land Rover Discovery
2005 Mini Cooper S (almost here)