H7 Headlight Bulbs, High Beam/Low Beam ..

[Fatherless One]

Hi all,

This may be an odd question.

Are the (H7) high beam and low beam bulbs different?

I'm looking at some 55w 6000k to replace my standard yellow looking headlight bulbs and have noticed some sellers stating "low beam" in their ad's.

Thanks in advance,
Alan.

[Diesel_vert]

No. An automotive 12V H7 55W bulb has set dimensions and specifications, as per UN ECE regulations and can be used in various applications and configurations. For instance, the Golf Mk5 uses H7 bulbs for both its dipped (low) and main (high) beams.

Though strictly speaking, it's only supposed to be designated as H7 if it has a luminous flux of 1500 lm +/- 10%, as per UN ECE (and hence, ADR) regulations.

An automotive halogen bulb claiming to have a colour temperature of 6000 K is not likely to meet that requirement due to the darkness of the (blue) tint, which is why the bulbs will likely be marked, 'for off-road use only', or something to that effect, and come without UN ECE approval markings. This (in theory) absolves them of liability if someone were to use them on the public highway.

If the bulb has ECE approval markings on it (meaning it's roadworthy), then it won't have a very long life if it has to burn 'brighter' and 'harder' to overcome the darkness of the tint and provide sufficient light output.



Long story short, heavily-tinted blue bulbs which claim to have high colour temperatures may not be sufficiently bright enough to be considered roadworthy.

But to answer your question, the bulbs you mention can be fitted in both the dipped or main beam housing without trouble.

[Fatherless One]

Hmmm , interesting and thanks for the reply.

There seems to be a lot of these blue bulbs in the various auto shops (supacheap, autobarn etc).

So how can I achieve the nice "white" colour I'm looking for and still be road legal?

[Orrgazmo1986]

H7 Headlight Bulbs, High Beam/Low Beam ..

eBay is your friend

[Fatherless One]

eBay is your friend

Yeah I've got some in mind, but the legality is the issue, I don't want my insurance voided.

[Fatherless One]

Incidentally what's the colour temp of our standard bulbs?

[Diesel_vert]

Hmmm , interesting and thanks for the reply.

There seems to be a lot of these blue bulbs in the various auto shops (supacheap, autobarn etc).

So how can I achieve the nice "white" colour I'm looking for and still be road legal?

Osram Cool Blue Intense and Philips BlueVision Ultra have ECE approval markings (roadworthy) and both have a similar colour temperature (4000 K or thereabouts for H7 bulbs).

Philips CrystalVision is marked for 'off-road use only' (not roadworthy) and has a colour temperature of 4300 K.

Osram Cool Blue Hyper and Philips DiamondVision are marked for 'off-road use only' (not roadworthy) and have a colour temperature of 5000 K. I think that's about as high as you'd want to go for a halogen bulb.


Links:
Osram - Automotive lamps
Philips - Automotive Globes

Incidentally what's the colour temp of our standard bulbs?

A standard automotive halogen bulb would have a typical colour temperature of 3200 K.

Some of the upgrade-type or performance-type bulbs (but still roadworthy) may have a higher colour temp, such as the Osram Night Breaker Plus (3500 K) or the Philips X-tremeVision (not stated) bulbs.

[Fatherless One]

Excellent info and thanks for the links, so I should really be looking at a 4000k colour temp.

Will these still look white?

[Orrgazmo1986]

H7 Headlight Bulbs, High Beam/Low Beam ..

I have 12000k I think it's a bit too blue doesn't suit the drl that's kinda whitish yellowish anyone know if you can get brighter drls

[Diesel_vert]

Excellent info and thanks for the links, so I should really be looking at a 4000k colour temp.

Will these still look white?

Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and not personally having used any blue bulbs, my best guess is:

2500 K would look yellow, used in fog lamps.
3200 K would look yellowish.
3500 K would look yellowish with a predominately white tinge.
4000 K would look white with a predominate yellowish tinge.
4300 K would look the whitest.
5000 K would look white with a predominate blueish tinge.
6000 K would look blueish with a predominately white tinge.
8000 K would look blueish.

I have 12000k I think it's a bit too blue doesn't suit the drl that's kinda whitish yellowish anyone know if you can get brighter drls

lol

[Fatherless One]

Thanks again,

So do you think I'd attract any "unwanted attention" with 4300's?

[Diesel_vert]

Thanks again,

So do you think I'd attract any "unwanted attention" with 4300's?

I highly doubt it.

[Fatherless One]

Thanks again