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Which bulb for
a replacement H4 headlamp?
Useful information from ABD.
200217
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H4 Osram Night Breaker Laser 150% Next Generation bulbs 12v
60/55W (pair)
H4 Philips WhiteVision Ultra 12V 60/55W bulbs (pair)
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Many
MGBGTV8 owners who have a installed replacement H4 Halogen headlamps
as an upgrade to improve the visibility ahead at night from
the relatively poor lighting provided by the original sealed
beam units, will need to choose suitable bulbs. But which bulb
will be the question for many? Chris Hunt Cooke has found a
useful website - ABD - Automotive Brilliance, Delivered
- with information that helps clarify the headlight bulb options.
ABD say the first step is to identify which technology your
current headlights use - this is your starting point. From
there, you can consider the upgrade options for each technology.
With the H4 Halogen headlamp units used for the upgrade from
sealed beams the choice is between the various brands offering
standard and brighter Halogen bulbs.
Bulb choices for an MGBGTV8 owner
With Halogen bulbs as a standard for replacement H4 headlamp
units you have the option to upgrade to brighter Halogens. Some
might consider LED or HID Xenon options. ABD have released an
updated guide covering what bulbs you need, how to choose the
right bulbs, highlighting the difference between Halogen, LED
and Xenon bulbs and then describing what purpose each bulb has.
See the ABD Bulb Guide 2020
Brightest Halogen bulbs
While newer technologies are slowly filtering through, the majority
of vehicles on the road still use Halogen bulbs for their headlights.
If you have Halogen headlights the first thing you will need
to know is what bulb part number you need - an H4 bulb for
an MGBGTV8 with a replacement H4 headlamop unit. Currently,
there are some top contenders for levels of brightness - OSRAM,
Philips, RING and Twenty20 and all claim their Halogen bulbs
produce up to 150% more brightness than a standard bulb. The
ADB guide to the Brightest Halogen Bulbs has a comparison
of the quality, longevity and value for money of those leading
brands. With a classic car like an MGBGTV8 typically covering
between 2,500 and 5,000 miles a year the longevity factor will
be less of a concern than for an owner selecting bulbs for a
"daily driven car" covering say 10,000 miles or more
a year.
See
the ABD Guide to Brighter Halogen Bulbs |
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Road
legal upgrades
With up to 150% more light, the upgrades ABD reviews are by
far the brightest filament bulbs that you can get right now.
They are completely road legal, E marked and come with a warranty.
As you are replacing Halogen with Halogen, these are the easiest
to fit. The downside to having upgraded Halogen bulbs is their
lifespan. Unfortunately the brighter you go, the shorter the
bulbs actually last. This is due to the filament inside the
bulb burning out at a faster rate.
Replacement LED bulbs are often mentioned - they last
longer and are brighter, but whilst the technology adapts
and improves the UK vehicle lighting regulations do not. Some
regulations date back to the late 1970s meaning newer technological
advances will not conform to their vehicle lighting standards
or MOT test requirements.
HID Conversions kits work in the same way as OE HID
headlights, but are simply designed to fit into a Halogen
headlight unit. These kits contain ballast units and bulbs
that plug together for a simple installation process. ABD
say "the ballast units coupled with the right bulbs can
bring some immense light to your vehicle with brightness up
by 400%. HID conversion kits are by far the brightest options
available on the market. Whilst other options may claim to
be brighter these are however often unsafe for you and other
road users".
Conclusions
ABD concludes its website article saying:
Upgraded Halogen Bulbs - These lights are perfect for
anyone worried about price or road legalities.They are a simple,
no-hassle upgrade choice and provide you with an increase
in brightness. Like every other option, they still have their
drawbacks. Unfortunately these bulbs just don’t last
as long as LED or HID.
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