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Brightness of headlights

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  #1  
Old 09-19-2012, 12:20 PM
suresh_new's Avatar
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Default Brightness of headlights

Hi Guys,

So i have a 1994 Audi a4 B5, euro. I have the old headlights. I felt my headlights are very dim, so I changed the bulbs for Osram night breaker bulbs, and they improved, say 2%. I was reading about the relay mod for the headlights, but i measured the voltage across the battery and it was 14.1V and accross the bulb terminals at engine idle and light turned on (high and low, as i have H4 bulbs) it shows 13.5V. so, i think i don't need the relay mod after all.

My question is, is there any way i can get a better brightness from these lights?? I know, i know, i can go HID, but i am a little tight on the money right now, will have to struggle it out for the next 3 months, till then have to look for alternatives. Any suggestions are welcome
 
  #2  
Old 09-19-2012, 12:55 PM
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aside from brighter bulbs, maybe look into sylvania's silverstart lineup. But for the price of a nice set of silverstar bulbs, you can spend an extra $10 and get a full HID kit from krauto parts. free shipping. I bought a kit from them a while back it was a 35w 6000k xenon kit. works great, was 100% plug and play so no wire splicing or anything. and they work great, look great, and are bright as ****. best bang for your buck if you are buying lighting. my only regret is not spending the extra $10 for the bi-xenon kit. I think all said and done I paid 49.99 for the whole kit. that includes shipping.
 
  #3  
Old 09-19-2012, 02:30 PM
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These are a real good buy. Osram Rallye 65w H7. They pull 65 watts instead of the standard 55W. So for 18% more power, you get 29% more lumens. I've run them for years, never had an electrical problem or any problem with the OEM Valeo headlights. $19/bulb

Osram Rallye 65w Ultra High Output H7 Special-Service Bulb
 
  #4  
Old 09-19-2012, 02:44 PM
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silver stars are nice. It sounds like you have some resistance somewhere .6 voltage drop will have the lights dimmer. Check grounds on the headlights.
 

Last edited by ThatRetardedKid; 09-19-2012 at 02:54 PM.
  #5  
Old 09-19-2012, 07:35 PM
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Your stock reflector might be dirty with dry condesation residue or have burns marks also.

Phillips Extreme is also a good bulb. If you can find HIR for your type of bulb that would be even better.
 
  #6  
Old 09-20-2012, 03:06 AM
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wow.. thanks for the info guys...

any idea how i can clean up my stock reflectors?? And what are HIR?? (sorry i am a newb when it comes to lights).
 

Last edited by suresh_new; 09-20-2012 at 03:11 AM.
  #7  
Old 09-26-2012, 12:49 AM
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if you take the headlights off you can try soaking them in dish soap, but i'd just do a cheap hid kit. i got an 55w hid kit from ddm for like 40 bucks last year, its been great. super bright.
 
  #8  
Old 09-26-2012, 04:47 AM
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Thanks again,

But aren't HID's in Halogen housing illegal?? won't they scatter light all over???
 
  #9  
Old 09-26-2012, 07:24 AM
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Originally Posted by suresh_new
Thanks again,

But aren't HID's in Halogen housing illegal?? won't they scatter light all over???
Yes and Yes. Plus I won't like you :P

If you're going to use HID's, PLEASE invest in some projector head lights. They're only like $200 for a set of nice e-codes on e-bay and the light output will be WAY better. Plus you get the added benefit of not getting a ticket or blinding people in front of you.
 
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