E-code H4 headlight conversion with comparison pics Cheaper than Silverstars

[Daedalus454]

what size wiring did you end up with? I ordered up some 10 gauge with the other parts per fitchva's writeup, but that wiring is huge and doesn't work too well with the connectors. I'm thinking about backing it down to 12 gauge.

Yeah, the connectors Fitchva recommends are definitely not for 10 awg wire. I did use them with 10 awg. I used my heavy-duty crimpers in conjunction with my duckbill pliers to get a barely acceptable crimp, then I soldered the joints to make sure. So my wiring can take any amount of current that you throw at it, but I'm not sure about the connectors.

:rof:

 

[lawsoncl]

When did this turn into a nerd fest? IT geeks! I was one, but finished my engineering degree and now I'm just an engineering geek... but I think there was more money in IT...ugh

I did it backwards. I got a BS in ME, specializing in automotive control systems. Went to work for the Navy doing acoustics and wound up taking over the IT base-wide after realizing I knew more than the IT guys.

 

[pro-rallye]

i used 10 gauge but you're right, the connectors didn't really want to accept the heavier wire. i got them as best i could then soldered them. it made a nice and secure connection.

 

[GRWHITE]

For those of us that are afraid to mess around with the wiring and legal in California these are an option for better lighting than stock according to the seller on ebay. Item# 230186287608 "200mm H6054 H4 Dot Euro Conversion Headlights Kit". Has anyone tried these out yet to see if what they say is true?

 

[Daedalus454]

For those of us that are afraid to mess around with the wiring and legal in California [snip]

Check the California vehicle code, it's available on the DMV website in PDF format, and a properly aimed set of E-codes will fall within the guidelines of the law (my reading - please correct me if your reading differs).

 

[FitchVA]

yeah, i couldn't find any connectors that were sold for 10 awg, but i made them work. with the crimp, solder, and heat shrink tubing; they're not going anywhere

 

[fatwreck]

I didn't spend a lot of time on it last night, but even with the wire soldered to the connector, it was tough to get the combination into the housing. There's no reason why 12 gauge shouldn't be good enough for my setup.

 

[FitchVA]

which housing are you talking about? the relay plug or the headlight plug? i really didn't have any issue with either.

 

[fatwreck]

I started with the male headlight plug. Although, after working with it for a little while last night, I realized that it is just switching the relay, so it doesn't need to be the larger gauge wire.

 

[rcmf5525]

I just ordered all the stuff! I cant wait! I did the 100/55W White bulb upgrade. I searched the web to piece together the harness. It ended up costing $75 for everything shipped. That aint too bad!

 

[ghettocruiser]

$75??? For what???

I built my harness awhile back while I was working at autozone. Used 10awg wire. All I needed to buy was relay sockets from painless and the mail H4 plug from them.

All told I think I spent MAYBE $20 on it. Maybe $30 if you add in elec tape and split loom tubing that I already had.

Just curious as to what you ordered that made it total that much is all.

J.

 

[fatwreck]

Well, here's my order from delcity....and it doesn't include the male/female H4 connectors. I can see how you could end up with close to $75 into it.

Qty Item Price Item Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 73980 Change Over Relay, 12V (1 MIN) $2.37 $4.74
2 73999 Plug-in Base for Relays, (1 MIN) $1.98 $3.96
10 78305 30 Amp ATC Fuse (10 MIN) $0.14 $1.40
2 78335 35 Amp Water Tight Fuse Holder, 10-Ga (1 $1.26 $2.52
2 8101 Red Thrifty Spool, 10 Ga, 10-ft (1 MIN) $3.93 $7.86
2 8105 Black Thrifty Spool, 10 Ga, 10-ft (1 MIN)$3.93 $7.86
4 98031501 4 ft. Red Single Wall Shrink Tubing, 1/8"$0.53 $2.12
4 98031505 4 ft. Black Single Wall Shrink Tubing, 1/$0.53 $2.12
Shipping: $9.50

Total: $42.08

BTW, if anyone plans to follow that....you'll need larger heat shrink tubing for 10 ga wire.

 

[rcmf5525]

$75??? For what???

I built my harness awhile back while I was working at autozone. Used 10awg wire. All I needed to buy was relay sockets from painless and the mail H4 plug from them.

All told I think I spent MAYBE $20 on it. Maybe $30 if you add in elec tape and split loom tubing that I already had.

Just curious as to what you ordered that made it total that much is all.

J.

This is the order from partsexpress.com
2 070-675 In-line ATO/ATC Fuseholder 10 AWG $2.50
10ft. 10 AWG Red High Current Power Cable $6.00
10ft. 10 AWG Black High Current Power Cable $6.00
2 330-073 12 VDC Automotive Relay SPDT 30/40A $2.98
UPS Ground $8.91
Total:$26.39
The wire was expensive. Im not sure why I did not just get it from around here but what ever.

$8.10 shipped for 2 H4 connectors from comagination.com

$44.94 shipped for the headlights. I did not try to make an offer.

Grand total of $79.43

I am sure that if you were thrifty, you could subtract $15 from that. The IPF and Delta H4 conversion head lights cost more than that and then you would have to buy/build a harness. So it doesnt bother me.

 

[DanMan2k06]

Oh you included the housing... gotcha. Glad to see we've left the Cisco forums and we're back on headlights :laugh3:. Where did you look for the 10awg connectors? I found tons at advanced auto for 12/10 gauge that seemed to be a perfect fit for the 10.

 

[rcmf5525]

I havent shopped for any yet. Im sure they are easy to come by.

 

[corbinafly]

This is the order from partsexpress.com
2 070-675 In-line ATO/ATC Fuseholder 10 AWG $2.50
10ft. 10 AWG Red High Current Power Cable $6.00
10ft. 10 AWG Black High Current Power Cable $6.00
2 330-073 12 VDC Automotive Relay SPDT 30/40A $2.98
UPS Ground $8.91
Total:$26.39
The wire was expensive. Im not sure why I did not just get it from around here but what ever.

$8.10 shipped for 2 H4 connectors from comagination.com

$44.94 shipped for the headlights. I did not try to make an offer.

Grand total of $79.43

I am sure that if you were thrifty, you could subtract $15 from that. The IPF and Delta H4 conversion head lights cost more than that and then you would have to buy/build a harness. So it doesnt bother me.

I hope you meant DPST relays......

 

[ghettocruiser]

Ohhhh... I didnt realize that was including the headlights. Then yeah, you did good! For that price and what you got, your headlights are gonna kick butt!

J.

 

[lawsoncl]

For those of us that are afraid to mess around with the wiring and legal in California these are an option for better lighting than stock according to the seller on ebay. Item# 230186287608 "200mm H6054 H4 Dot Euro Conversion Headlights Kit". Has anyone tried these out yet to see if what they say is true?

It does say they are DOT. Only the title says euro, and the ad says he can provide euro, so I'm assuming these are not e-code. Honestly, I seriously doubt you'd get pulled over for e-code headlights, unless you have them aimed way high and ran bright bulbs. Or maybe the cop didn't get his serving of granola that morning. You guys have to deal with inspections for anything other than selling a vehicle? The AutoPal e-codes are pretty highly rated around here.

 

[DanMan2k06]

^ Some states require yearly inspections...

 

[1bolt]

^ Some states require yearly inspections...

Don't they all? anyway not even the most anal retentive inspection tech is going to study your sealed beam-looking head lights... Seriously even the ridiculous ass that failed my last three vehicles for tiny little stuff didn't notice the Autopals.

GRWHITE: those lights off Ebay you asked about are exactly what this WHOLE THREAD is about, read the first page man... If you get failed for running Autopals which are next to impossible to tell aren't DOT legal sealed beams, then you need to go to the next station and never return.

I mean what are they going to do take you out back and shoot you? If you get rejected just scrape the sticker off and go to the next station, it's not like there's computerized records for state inspections networked to every greasy auto mechanics shop in America.