The Difference in Brightness Between Sealed Beams vs. Halogens

We all just kind of know that halogen headlamps are much brighter than sealed beams. But how much brighter?

A conventional incandescent bulb generates 16 to 18 lumen of light per watt, compared to 20 to 22 or more lumens per watt for a standard halogen bulb. Using 17 lumen as an average, that means that a 60W incandescent bulb generates 1,020 lumen. In comparison, using 21 lumens as an average, a 60W halogen bulb generates 1,260 lumen, an increase of 24% over the incandescent bulb.

The average incandescent sealed beam bulb is 50W while H1's and H4's commonly use 100W bulbs for the high beams. That's 850 lumen for the sealed beam vs. 2,100 lumen for the H1, an increase of 147%.

Attachment 330813

Big improvement.

Cheers,
John

Thanks for the info,having looked into some upgrades for lights,the rpm lume teknics are simply amazing led lights and only took 15 mins per side to fit,expensive but they have a offer on at the moment which makes it easier on the wallet.
They are that good even with my marchal hood lights on,its difficult to see any addition from the hood lights.
They fit behind the H4 or. H1 glass perfectly,my H1 lights are now on the shelf for ever.

Thanks John, very enlightening.
Mike

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Originally Posted by Yellow491

Thanks for the info,having looked into some upgrades for lights,the rpm lume teknics are simply amazing led lights and only took 15 mins per side to fit,expensive but they have a offer on at the moment which makes it easier on the wallet.
They are that good even with my marchal hood lights on,its difficult to see any addition from the hood lights.
They fit behind the H4 or. H1 glass perfectly,my H1 lights are now on the shelf for ever.

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I imagine they are bright. There have been many technological advances since these cars were built. I guess I'm old fashioned but for longhoods I confine my interest to period correct parts. I do love the part in their copy where they state that these lights give 911's a "subtle contemporary look".

John

Hi
Yes contemporary is possibley the right word,effective they are,i have been looking for something looking the part and in keeping with my long hood,hard to see them behind the original glass.
I had been running 100w H 1 and 100w hood lights,but no contest for the led.

Pretty sure our Porsche H1s ran 55W in both low and high beam positions stock.

I know many people upgrade to 80W without additional mods. However, I would hesitate to upgrade to 100W bulbs in a H1 without the addition of external relays and beefed up connectors to the light buckets. I might even consider stepping up the wire gauge one notch or at a minimum replacing the original work hardened wiring on the light circuits with new (original size).

Great advice Michael. I have a page on my website about this:

http://www.audettecollection.com/relay-kits/

I always keep relay kits on hand and recommend them strongly to all buyers of H1's and H4's. Thanks for helping to spread the word.

Cheers,
John

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Originally Posted by jaudette3

Great advice Michael. I have a page on my website about this on my website - http://www.audettecollection.com/relay-kits/ I always keep relay kits on hand and recommend them strongly to all buyers of H1's and H4's. Thanks for helping to spread the word.

Cheers,
John

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What I've found fascinating is that the Bosch wiring on the lights themselves are completely adequate for the 100W bulbs... It's as if Bosch just knew we wouldn't be able to leave well enough alone!:D

"'A gentleman does not motor about after dark. - Joseph Lucas.'"

Joe Lucas, Prince of Darkness

The three position Lucas switch - Dim, Flicker and Off.