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Projects Using H4 bulb as turn signal/driving light?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by roll of the dices, Nov 15, 2013.

  1. roll of the dices
    Joined: Jul 15, 2010
    Posts: 1,349

    roll of the dices
    Member

    I am interested in using an H4 light bulb inside a fog light housing as a running light/turn signal combo. I am planning of using the low beam as the running light and the high beam as a turn signal light.

    The question I have is, do I need to use a relay or any other device or by simply wiring it straight as my existing turn signals are should be ok? I noticed the H4 light bulbs run pretty warm, hence my question.

    Thank you in advance for any advice.
     
  2. Hackerbilt
    Joined: Aug 13, 2001
    Posts: 6,250

    Hackerbilt
    Member

    I'm certainly no expert...but in my opinion, thats a lot of stress to add to your turn signal system!
    Relays are gonna be needed for sure but the whole thing sounds kinda unnecessary to me...not to mention a wiring bundle of snakes.
    Convert the lights over to 1157 bulbs or similar.
    Fog lights aren't gonna give you a useful light beam anyway due to the color and optics so the "running light" feature is more of a "being seen" thing I ***ume?
     
  3. roll of the dices
    Joined: Jul 15, 2010
    Posts: 1,349

    roll of the dices
    Member

    Well the idea is turn my fog lights into running light/turn signal using an H4 bulb. As you said, I am not worry with the quality of light mostly with being seen. I figure the wiring is easy since I already have turn signal lights wired, which I want to remove so I can take those leads and wire the h4 up.

    Anyone knows how a relay show be wired here? Thx
     
  4. i would use a relay to take the load off the turn signal switch , and the existing turn signal wiring is probably maybe a bit small

    the coffee hasn't fully kicked in , correct me if i'm wrong......30 fused power , 87 to H4 bulb , 85 ground , 86 from turn signal switch
     
  5. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,788

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    If being seen is what you want, then that's what the 1157's are for. Rigging up H4 bulbs would be hella bright. Kinda like those goofy bright blue lights the Ricers are using.
     
  6. People aren't going to be happy when blinded by your turn signals. (Someone may use a hammer to solve the problem) There may also be some legal issues about the wattage just like there is for headlights. Use 1157s!!!!!!!
     
  7. brad chevy
    Joined: Nov 22, 2009
    Posts: 2,627

    brad chevy
    Member

    Why don"t you just mount some small turn signals on top of the foglight housing. Turning the bright filament into a turn signal is a crazy idea. No. 1 to bright and what you going to tell the cop when you blind him with the turn signal and he wants to inspect your ride.
     
  8. roll of the dices
    Joined: Jul 15, 2010
    Posts: 1,349

    roll of the dices
    Member

    Thank you everyone for the feedback....I really wasn't thinking of the brightness issue to be honest. My original idea was to use an 1157 bulb but getting one to fit in 5-3/4" light (which is what the fog light is) has proven a challenge. I found a 5-3/4" head light with the h4...this is where the idea came from....looks like am going to need to modified the base of the headlight to receive an 1157 bulb.,,,back to the drawing board it is.
     
  9. Make an adapter that accepts the 1157 bulb and clips into the H4 receptcle on the 5 3/4 light. A 5 3/4 light with an 1157 will get their attention without blinding anyone. Good deal all around!
     
  10. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 36,055

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I sold it the other day but the 91 Grand Caravan my wife drove for four years and wrecked a month ago had some really flat sockets in the tail lights that take a Sylvania 3157 Bulb that holds it's own for being brite. The good thing is that the plastic socket is so flat on the back side that you could easily epoxy it anywhere you wanted to put it.
    Find a pair of those in a junk yard and you could stick them about anywhere. Take the broken housings with them and cut the part that the sockets twist into out with a hole saw and they work real well to let you cut a smaller hole in a sheet metal panel to stick the bulb and socket through and act as a nut to hold the socket to the panel. That would help guys who don't have much room behind the reflectors on some rigs they do custom tail lights on.
     
  11. roll of the dices
    Joined: Jul 15, 2010
    Posts: 1,349

    roll of the dices
    Member

    I want to thank you all for your feedback, it helped me solve my issue. I am positing a few pictures for the next one to come. Feel free to add anything to these....

    [​IMG]
    Took the H4 Bulb and cut the spot welds that holds it in place.

    [​IMG]
    The retaining ring is what I was after

    [​IMG]
    I purchased a typical 1157 bulb holder form local auto parts stores

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    The bulb holder fits the opening perfectly and the holding clips holds it nice in place. For added security I added heat resistance adhesive and with some minor t******* it was ready to go!

    [​IMG]
    So now I have an 1157 that fits an H4 housing with a vintage gl*** upfront (6V gl***)
    [​IMG]

    And there you have it! My finished fog lights, now running lights and turn signals.
    [​IMG]

    Here in southern Cali I hardly ever see fog so I am loosing nothing by making them now function as turn signals...
     
    markjaramillo likes this.
  12. Hackerbilt
    Joined: Aug 13, 2001
    Posts: 6,250

    Hackerbilt
    Member

    Good info...and the lights are pretty damn cool!
     

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