I've searched the forum here and read alot of people's broken or orphaned threads, but theres no clear opinion or answer to the replacement H1 bulb.

I love the HID system in the S2K, it works great for me. But maybe because it does work so well I see a huge weakness in the High Beams. Driving back roads at night I feel "on edge" the entire drive home. They do produce light at a greater distance... But very poorly.

I did replace the H1s from the OEM but it failed to make any difference. I don't care if they look like HID lights. I just want distance and WHITE.

If anyone has had the same findings on their cars, I'd like to hear about it.

I don't want to have this look ------> while driving

 

Your title gives no indication of the subject matter of your post. Please be more descriptive in future. I've changed it for you this time. Thanks.

Here is a thread I replied to with some info a while ago when I changed my high beam bulbs:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...2&hl=headlights

 

I might be the guy xviper is talking about.

I did replace the factory H1 with Silverstars from Wal-mart as someone else suggested.

They are only 55 Watts. The color matches the HID well, but I would be willing to change again for more wattage. They need more "Punch" and "Fill at Long Distance".

I see xvipers thread he presented you shows H1s that are rated much higher in wattage than mine.

xviper: I guess the factory wiring can take 100 Watts without an additional relay???

 

I can't say this with any certainty. Not willing to stick my neck out that far.

 

I installed 100 watt (equivalent to 145 watt) H-1 bulbs about 3-1/2 years ago and they work fine. The higher wattage allows the high beams to overpower the hids resulting in much better lumination. Great addition for night time driving at higher speeds.

 

Whatever bulb you use, they should always remain close if not the same as the OEM wattage which is 55-65 Watts. Anymore and you'd run the risk of overheating and cooking the wiring when activated for a long time. 100 Watt bulbs may be much brighter but the wiring must be upgraded to handle that kind of output for a substantial period of time.

 

Sideways :

Any chance you recall the brand of H1s you used?
If your H1s are overpowering the HIDs I am very interested them as well.

As mentioned earlier , my Silverstar 55 Watt system does not come close to this lumen level, but the color match is good I don't like the factory yellow cast of light mixing with the HID.

xviper :

Do you 'see' similar results with your H1s?

SSS_01 :

I understand you. Maybe I'll try to figure out what the wire gauge is.
I agree that 100 Watts is extreme. When I did this in a camaro, I was driving down the road the first time smiling when the headlights dropped out.
If I have similar problems with the s2k, it's on me...

 

I don't drive with my high beams that much. All I wanted were brighter and non-yellowish Daytime Running Lights and these give it to me. My vague recollection from the rare times I drive the highways at night is that they are very bright and illuminate the road much better than the stock ones used to. I can't say for sure that I noticed them overpowering the HIDs but that link I put up earlier shows pics that might suggest it does.

 

I have used Hi-wattage for off-road use on other vehicles .

They tend to fry the stock terminal connectors (at the bulb) and the light switch over time. Additionally, extended use can melt the headlight housing assembly itself.

If you plan on extended use with the hi-watt hi bulbs, then a proper auxiliary wire job with an additional dedicated relay would be your best bet. Use the original Hi-beam circuit to trigger a relay which takes its power directly from the battery. All heavy duty 12ga wire to load. You will however, still be at risk for the headlight version of the China Syndrome.

However, if you live in a metropolitan area with good street lighting and are using hi-beams on a limited basis (less than 2-3 minutes per occasional application), then 100-130 watt bulbs will work. If they are not on, they don't draw any current, and they don't get hot. Just note that overload degeneration symptoms are additive over time-sort of like high blood pressure.

The 130 watt bulb is the one which 'overpowers' the HID's. However the light from these still have a yellowish tint to it; it's not HID blue/white, it's just friken bright.

Please use hi wattage bulbs responsibly as they will also 'overpower' on coming drivers' eyes.

YMMV!

Regards,
BD

 

I've looked at the low profile PIAA 930 H.I.D. set and I'm going to try and hide these in the front cowl area. Deep enoough so as not to mess with the look of the car. If they fit and look OK, I'll install these and let everyone know.