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H4 Conversion question.

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Old Dec 18, 2002 | 06:46 PM
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Default H4 Conversion question.

For those who have updated headlights to the H4. I'm looking at doing the H4 / HID combo. Had a question,

Do you still have "high beam" functionality? I'm thinking no, because the HID bulb isn't going to get any brighter, but wanted to ask :)

Kyle
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Old Dec 18, 2002 | 07:15 PM
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Default Re: H4 Conversion question. (KylePatrick)



If the H4 was a single filament bulb, then I would think no.
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Old Dec 18, 2002 | 07:24 PM
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Default Re: H4 Conversion question. (KylePatrick)

My understanding is that at least one company sells a dual filament bulb for the H4. That would give you high and lows.
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Old Dec 18, 2002 | 07:30 PM
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Default Re: H4 Conversion question. (C5 StockSwap)

Thanks, I did some net searching and that is the case, found one that is $699 and its a hi/lo. :)
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Old Dec 18, 2002 | 09:08 PM
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Default Re: H4 Conversion question. (Killrwheels)

Maybe I misunderstand the question, but I thought all H4 bulbs are dual filament. Meaning they have the high and low beam in one bulb.
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Old Dec 18, 2002 | 10:10 PM
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Default Re: H4 Conversion question. (gmblack3)

Maybe I misunderstand the question, but I thought all H4 bulbs are dual filament. Meaning they have the high and low beam in one bulb.
Not the HID bulbs that fit in the H4 housing.
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Old Dec 18, 2002 | 11:57 PM
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Default Re: H4 Conversion question. (C5 StockSwap)

Maybe I misunderstand the question, but I thought all H4 bulbs are dual filament. Meaning they have the high and low beam in one bulb.

Not the HID bulbs that fit in the H4 housing.
:thumbs:
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Old Dec 19, 2002 | 10:32 PM
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Default Re: H4 Conversion question. (gmblack3)

OK, everybody, relax, no more speculation.

H4 bulbs are dual filament, they give you high and low beams in one bulb, and they are halogen, not HID. These are the one's that fit into the T-84 assembly, as designed by GM.

Now, there are the new HIDs, which are not halogen, are not "dual filament," not even close, and the most recent edition, using either a clam shell or by moving the bulb back and forth in the reflector with a solenoid, will give you a faux "high beam" effect, no where as good as a true high beam should be (compared to the low beam output). Low beam is outstandingly bright, high beam is no better than a high wattage H4.

That's it. :smash:
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Old Dec 19, 2002 | 11:38 PM
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Default Re: H4 Conversion question. (EHS)

I looked into this a while back and there were some distributors selling hi/low HID bulbs on ebay. It had the regular HID bulb that you would use for normal driving then another smaller bulb right next to it, overall it was still the same size as a regular H4 bulb but it gave you the option of having separate hi and low beams. The only thing I have heard about that it is with having HID bulbs it takes a second or two to bring them up...kinda like a florescent bulb...and that the don't just flick on and off like the regular hi beams with the filaments do. It kinda makes sense because the HID's have ballasts and what not to bump up the voltage to fire up the gasses in the bulb...again this is just what I heard but it does kinda make sense...let us know how it turns out for you if you do get them...you can actually find a set of H4 HID bulbs on ebay for around $300 or so...but don't know about the reliability of the bulbs.
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