Best H1 Bulbs For Smiley Ellipsoids

[KenC]

So 15amp fuses with the Osram Silverstars?

[M-technik-3]

With the 55watt bulbs which is the stock fitment you should not have any issues with blown bulbs. If you do it's not hard to wire in correct relay system to incrase load protection. I used to do it for my VW's and Audi's.

[KenC]

Blown bulbs or fuses? So if I have 55w H4s I should stick to the 7.5A fuses?

[Digitalwave]

Blown bulbs or fuses? So if I have 55w H4s I should stick to the 7.5A fuses?

It's the stock wattage so why would it put more stress on the system?

[franz]

So 15amp fuses with the Osram Silverstars?

Blown bulbs or fuses? So if I have 55w H4s I should stick to the 7.5A fuses?

No, Osram Silverstars are 55w, use stock 7.5A fuses.
You would think this is rocket science, but it aint!

H4 are two filament, different wattages. The lower number is the low beam the higher wattage is high beam. Stock are 55w/60w.

[ST1G]

Bump from the dead.

I just got some Philips - X-Treme Vision H1 for my smilies and we will see how they turn out. Its been more then 10 years since this thread was born so We'll see how bulb technology has come along. I'll post photos when I get them.

[ELVA164]

Bump from the dead.

I just got some Philips - X-Treme Vision H1 for my smilies and we will see how they turn out. Its been more then 10 years since this thread was born so We'll see how bulb technology has come along. I'll post photos when I get them.

Along these lines, I installed Narva Rangepower+50 SHO 55W H1 bulbs into my smilies and they are AMAZING. Much, much better than my stock 55W H1 bulbs in the low beams, and both brighter than the 70W bulbs I had in my high beams and less taxing on the wiring. They're effectively the "store brand" of the Philips bulbs; owned by Philips and made in the same place.

Side note since it wasn't ever mentioned in here: TINTED BULBS ARE ALWAYS LESS BRIGHT THAN CLEAR ONES. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH COLOR THE TINT IS. Just throwing that out there.

[shadowracer]

I think HID is the way to go, unless you can find the correct LED's.... at least in my opinion.

I've only seen one style of LED so far that has what looks like a ballast type thing on it for an H4 and they were very bright, and came on instantly there was no "flicker" to brightness like an HID.

[e34john]

Let me know how they look. I had some crystal visions last summer but they burnt out because I was having voltage issues. They looked real good but seemed to start yellowing after a few months.

[ST1G]

Let me know how they look. I had some crystal visions last summer but they burnt out because I was having voltage issues. They looked real good but seemed to start yellowing after a few months.

Will do. It seemed like people liked the Philips X-Treme Vision over the ORSAM night breaker that were comparable in price and light output; but not longevity.

[ELVA164]

I think HID is the way to go, unless you can find the correct LED's.... at least in my opinion.

I've only seen one style of LED so far that has what looks like a ballast type thing on it for an H4 and they were very bright, and came on instantly there was no "flicker" to brightness like an HID.

I've gotta admit I've never seen a car with HIDs, but my Euro smilies with the upgraded H1s produce more than enough light for me. My high beams are like daytime.

[ST1G]

I've gotta admit I've never seen a car with HIDs, but my Euro smilies with the upgraded H1s produce more than enough light for me. My high beams are like daytime.

That makes me excited ;D

[Mo Brighta]

High Output headlight bulbs

Along these lines, I installed Narva Rangepower+50 SHO 55W H1 bulbs into my smilies and they are AMAZING. Much, much better than my stock 55W H1 bulbs in the low beams, and both brighter than the 70W bulbs I had in my high beams and less taxing on the wiring. They're effectively the "store brand" of the Philips bulbs; owned by Philips and made in the same place.

Side note since it wasn't ever mentioned in here: TINTED BULBS ARE ALWAYS LESS BRIGHT THAN CLEAR ONES. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH COLOR THE TINT IS. Just throwing that out there.

Amen to that, I have sold many H1 Narva RangePower +50 bulbs, and get universally good comments on how bright they are, even for stock 55 Watt bulbs... and yes, they are kind to your wiring.

Colored bulbs (tinted ANY color) are for Christmas trees, not for headlights.

Just my opinion after 50 years in automotive lighting business... YMMV.

[ST1G]

I like the bulb I picked up. Well worth the $40. We'll just see how long it lasts.

[e3088ix]

HIRs

No one has brought up HIRs!
For a stock halogen drop in with a snip of the plastic base of the bulb they are the best! They're the only technological update of halogens and put out more light while using the stock 55 watts. That means no worries of overheating or melting the housing, no worries of battery drain, and very good lighting in my experience.
They're made by Phillips and they cost $23 on amazon and are much brighter than stock. They last a good while too (estimated twice as long from what I've seen) and tested at 1870 lumens vs stock 1000ish.
Highly reccomended if you don't go to HIDs.