Lighting Explained (headlights, bulbs, etc.)

[KenC]

It seems that nearly every week there is a new thread started regarding lighting (usually headlights). I though that I'd help everyone out and begin to compile a comprehensive e30 lighting FAQ.

Q: Which bulbs go with which headlights?

A:

Sealed Beams:
-Non-removable bulb (entire reflector housing must be replaced upon failure)

US Ellipsoids:
-Low Beam: 9006
-High Beam: 9005

Euro Ellipsoids:
-Low/High Beam: H1


Everyting you ever need to know about headlights is at this website:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com

READ THIS ARTICLE REGARDING BLUE BULBS!

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/blue.html

*This is by no means everything regarding headlights. More will be added shortly.

Let's try to put together the most comprehensive e30 lighting FAQ on the web!

[bimmerphile]

OK, here goes:


HID or High Intensity Discharge lighting is different from Halogen lighting in many ways.


First of all, there is no filament in the bulb, only a capsule of Xenon (Xe) that gets ignited. This occurs by use of a ballast, which charges up and shoots an extremely powerful dose of electricity to the bulb when the headlights are turned on. After this point, it requires significantly less power than a standard halogen to say on (15W vs 55-100W, respectively).


There is a common misconception concerning HID lighting: Color Temperature = Illumination.


COLOR TEMPERATURE DOES NOT EQUAL ILLUMINATION.

What is color temperature? A measure of the color of a light source relative to black at a particular temperature. This is ONLY a measure of color.

Moreover, Illumination is measureld in Lumens and Candelas.

"BRIGHTNESS" IS NOT A FORM OF MEASUREMENT AND THEREFORE DOES NOT MEAN SHIT

There is no way to measure "brightness" of headlights. That is a completely subjective term with no basis in intellectual conversation. Be prepared, that if you do start talking about how bright your headlights are compared to ________, I will tear you apart. Just a warning.

As a general rule, as color temperature goes up, illumination goes down.

Here's the most common bulb types / color temps / illumination in lumens

Halogen (Rally)             /  3000K            /   1200
Halogen (Normal)         /  3600K            /   1600
Halogen (Blue Bulbs)   /   4000-8000K  /    700-1400
HID (White)                  /   4300K           /    3200
HID (Bluer)                  /   5200K            /    3000
HID (Purplish)             /   6000K            /    2800
HID (Purple)                /   7000K            /    2600
HID (Indigo/Violet)       /   8000K            /    2000

Not all HID color can be explained by the color temperature, however. For example, if you know that the ZHP E46 uses a 6300K bulb, and looks extremely dark purple from a distance, buying that color temp bulb will not necessarily replicate that effect. This is due to what's known as Chromatic Aberration, and Nick Majka (inspar8r) has put together a detailed explanation here: http://www.mmsport.s5.com/xenonoptics.html

If you are considering retrofitting HIDs into your E30, I highly recommend reading the following thread:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19222

Cheers.

[bimmerphile]

For the Osram Silverstar vs Sylvania Silverstar debate:


This is the last time I am going to go over this

Osram Silverstar = Good (clear bulbs)
Sylvania Silverstar = Not good (silver coated blue coated bulbs)
Osram and Sylvania do NOT make the same product


While the Silverstar bulbs are not HID, they do contain a fair amount of Xenon gas. This, when combined with the normal Halogen chemistry of the bulb, results in a 50% increase in lumens with the Osram silverstars, as well as a "whiter" output (higher color temp, see above).

The Chemistry of the Osram and Sylvania silverstars is the same, however, the light output and color temp is grossly different. this is due to Sylvania coating the bulbs blue, and then silver, so that the bulbs don't "appear" to be "Rice." This is purely marketing, as it serves as A DETRIMENT to light output. Why? Simple physics. Everyone learns in grade school that ROY G BIV makes up the visible light spectrum. In order for the blue color to work, the blue pigment on the bulb will absorb the other wavelengths, and only allow transmission of the blue wavelengths. Thus, you have effectively decreased your light output from containing ROYGV, and are only allowing the transmission of Blue and Indigo. Kind of seems silly, now doesn't it?

While Sylvania silverstars are available in 9xxx and Hx series bulbs, the Osrams are ONLY available in Hx series, and are ONLY available OUTSIDE the United States. This means that if you want them, you can't pick them up at WalMart. Furthermore, if you have anything other than Euro Ellipsoids or H1/H4 sealed beams, you can not benefit from Silverstars.


If you do have US ellipsoids, or another headlamp which is not compatible with Osram silverstars, the following are the best choices for lighting, aside from an HID upgrade:

Sylvania Xtravision (in the pink-and-black package)
Philips High Visibility
Narva RangePower

Those are the best non-colored, non "superwhite" bulbs out there. Recommendations courtesy of Daniel Stern

[KenC]

H-Code Lighting

H1:

H1 bulbs are single filament. They are used in the european ellipsoids, and H1 reflectors can also be purchased and are commonly used as highbeams because of the single filament.

H3:

H3 bulbs are single filament. They are used in the 88+ e30 foglights. H3 bulbs are very similar to H1 bulbs. 5 3/4" reflector housings can also be purchased for H3 bulbs to be used as highbeams.

H4:

H4 bulbs are dual-filament. They are most commonly used in 5 3/4" reflector housings as low beams. Because of the dual-filament they also have a highbeam. (The H4 bulb fuctions the same as a sealed-beam lowbeam).

[KenC]

Where to buy bulbs:

http://www.cars.u-net.com/bulbs.htm

-This is a company based out of the UK. They are a very good source of Osram bulbs. They are the cheapest retailer I have found on the web that sells Osram products. To place an order, just send them an email. I have personally bought bulbs from them, and they were great to deal with. Shipping was very cheap and the bulbs arrived very quickly.

http://www.suvlights.com

SUVLights is a company based out of the US. They are also an Osram retailer, one of the few in the US. Their products are a bit more expensive than the UK retailer, and their shipping charges are a bit more as well. Kris (bimmerphile), Jordan, and Ryan Stewart have all dealt with them, and have had positive results.

[moatilliatta]

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/bad/bad.html

i read this page and it help explain a lot. i know why ive seen yellow on fog lights now. it makes so much sence. genius! :bow:
________
buying vaporizer

[bsut]

Good source for Hella lamps and bulbs and harnesses

http://www.rallylights.com

[herragge]

Also a good reference is that the ellipsoids and the fogs use 12V 55W bulbs if they need replacing.

Mike

[DaN]

Are these a decent upgrade over sealed beams? Hella H4 ?

[nando]

Are these a decent upgrade over sealed beams? Hella H4 ?

yeah, they aren't bad, especially for the money. my buddy had them before he hit a deer and they were way brighter than my old sealed beams.

[DaN]

How much are they worth?

[e30 323i]

Can someone give a general outline of which years came with which lights?

I have glass lenses, and replace both the headlamp and the city lamp from the back of the reflector. Not sure which bulbs my lowbeams use, but if anyone has the answer, can you recommend an upgrade? My lights seem dim...I don't want to hit anything...

Thanks in advance.

ben

[Court M3]

Can someone give a general outline of which years came with which lights?

I have glass lenses, and replace both the headlamp and the city lamp from the back of the reflector. Not sure which bulbs my lowbeams use, but if anyone has the answer, can you recommend an upgrade? My lights seem dim...I don't want to hit anything...

Thanks in advance.

ben

if you have city lamps then you might already have euro ellips. Not sure when they came out over there. my 83 had the sealed beams

[marakka]

83-87 Non Facelift Euro cars came with H1 lights but were NON elipsoids. Similar to the H1/H4 upgrade a lot of people do in the states. Made by both Hella and Bosch, they are very plentiful.

88+ Facelift Euro cars came with either standard euro elips or smiley euro elips. I do not know what denotes if a car gets smiley's or non smileys. As far as I know this has never been deciphered. Both Bosch and Hella make both standard elips and smileys. Only Hella makes smoked smileys. And I do believe only Hella makes yellow smileys. Standard elips require a H1 high beam and a H1 low beam.

The difference between euro elips and us elips is the presence of a "city light" required for parking on unlighted Europe roads where your car would hang into the street. When the key is taken from the ignition but the lights are left on, this light shines along with a light in the tails. Both are low amperage as to not create a large draw on the battery. This brings the oncoming drivers attention to the auto and helps avoid a collision. Another difference is the bulb utilized in both. From what I understand, the US elips use a 9006/9005 combo while the Europe version uses an H1 design.


My little bit of e30 knowledge.

[e30 323i]

So I can fit H1's? Or do these require a conversion?

There's no way my '84 would have a 'facelift,' right? 'Cause it still looks damn sexy!

Edit: I just looked and found that I do in fact have H1's...thanks for the help. Can someone recommend a good, bright, not astronomically expensive option?

great forum.