Headlight bulb improvement?

[CNX]

I would like better night vision, but don't really fancy trying to install (and pay for!) HID ballasts - I am electrically illiterate. On another thread the writer mentioned he had bought a new bulb that improved night lighting. The bulb detas are:
4000 kelvin rating
Bulb type-H4 Anti-Vibration 110/100 watt from 60/55 watt
Xtreme white plus technology

I like the idea of a simple change over, but is it ok to draw the extra current (110/100 vs 60/55)? Does it need heavier wiring or any other mods?

[CNX]

Ooooops! Just found the super thread to this topic on page 13 - not only am I electrically illiterate, but Forum illiterate too. Still, did not find an answer to the question of:
if I have a higher rated bulb (say 110/100 vs 60/55) do I need to upgrade wiring at all?

(And one other question - some posters mention "anti-vibration" bulbs - obviously needed on motorcycle. But are these different from standard car H4 bulbs?)

[dore0]

Using a higher rated bulb will increase the heat that emmits from the globe in turn it may have an adverse affect of the headlamp housing, may dis-colour it or make it opaque.

[Steve_47]

You can find brighter H4 replacement bulbs that are still 60/55 watt. Look where every you would normally buy automotive bulbs. Just for reference, a Sylvania 9003/HB2 H4 60/55W would be a standard bulb replacement.

[TX_Dj]

For the record... at the average voltage of 13.6v for a 12v system...

55w = 4.04A
60w = 4.41A
100w = 7.35A
110w = 8.08A

If memory serves, the headlight is on a 10A dedicated circuit, meaning if you leave 20% overhead as is a standard recommendation, you're right at the max with the 110w high beam... But, you're that much closer to being in a position where the slightest overload (corroded contacts or the like) could push you towards a blown fuse. In the middle of the night. On a dark road.

Your call.

Personally, I'm happy with the stock bulb... but anything could be brighter.

[Wilfor]

Most of the bulbs you'll find say they they use 60w and put out 110watts of light so they dont actually draw anymore then the stock bulb

Like this one

Amazon.com: PIAA 15224 H4 Style Xtreme White 12V 60/55=110/100-Watt Bulb - Twin Pack: Automotive

Amazon.com: PIAA 15224 H4 Style Xtreme White 12V 60/55=110/100-Watt Bulb - Twin Pack: Automotive

price seems high on that one though

Ahhh wait its a double pack

[spdklls]

Yeah, What Wilfor said...
The bulb draws 60/55 watts just like the stock bulb does...what the aftermarket bulb does (by a little filament tinkering) is get light output equal to a 110/100 watt bulb out of that 60/55 watts. These lights also DON"T put out more heat than the stock but may actually run cooler as they utilize the wattage to create light more efficiently.

These are marked " for off road use only" as is almost every single aftermarket light bulb out there because they can't legally sell them as OEM replacement because the engineers designed the bulb a little differently than a legal OEM bulb.(which how they get more light output from it)..which might cause you trouble If you have to do vehicle inspections in your state. Other than that..they don't blind other drivers in any way shape or form..they just put more visible light spread out on the road and a little farther down the road

Have had my anti-vibration Xtreme white plus H4 bulb in for almost a year now..still loving it

And yeah..Anti-Vibration is specifically designed for motorcycles because they vibrate like a mofo which could and probably will shorten the lifespan of a regular (car) bulb

[CNX]

Thanks for info all - I may be able to improve lighting dramatically with a simple 55/60 H4 bulb, as for some odd reason here in Thailand the bike is supplied with a 30/30 bulb (No wonder I was so dissatisfied with headlight!). I imagine Honda would not use lower grade wiring just for locally produced bikes, so should be no effect using normal H4 anti-vibration bulb.

[thaicbr]

CNX. i upgraded my bulb by simply putting in a standard h4 60/55w bulb. it did improve it.

i am currently trying to source some led spotlights similar to clearwaters. they can be switched so turn on when out on the open road.

[CNX]

One thing that confuses me about this -my stock Thai headlight bulb is rated 35/35. It appears that on High beam that the 2 filaments in the bulb are on, meaning it puts out 70w on High. Is this the same for 60/55 bulbs? That is, are both filaments drawing power on High beam for a total of 115w?
Eclipze mentions using a 35/60 H4r bulb to prevent battery drain at low revs. But in my imported (Australian English as opposed to English English - I can't read Thai) owners manual it lists the basic spec for headlight bulb as 60/55.... arrgh, more confusion! Does Honda use different grade wiring to match different bulbs depending on country of export?