hi, i have an 1989 300e, w124 with the 9004 headlights....i've been searching through some of the posts for improving the light output and came across one particular post that mentioned something about the "painless wiring" relay conversion that would allow me to run brighter headlights...exactly what does this thing do? i understand that it draws more current from the battery and has stronger bulb-connectors...does this mean that i can do a h4 conversion, and get rid of my weak 9004's? can someone who has had experience with this mod give me some insight or feedback, and whether it is safe for the headlamp enclosure...i know i cant run h4's if the lenses are plastic and the housing is plastic as well, for they will melt under the increased output...i am really interested in this $80 "painless wiring" relay, and if it can allow me to run some h4's WITHOUT any adverse effects on my car and eletrical system, i will get it done right away...the beam output from my US-spec 9004 headlights is just pathetic...i see dodge neons with a better light output intensity/pattern than my car....the following is the website for this particular product: http://www.b-body.net/Technical/Exterior/PainlessWiring/

thanks...

ben

I don't believe that H4 bulbs can be put in the standard headlight fixture - I understand that the whole headlight assembly has to be switched to the european glass assembly for about $400. The "Painless" wiring system seems to allow greater current delivery to the bulbs by using larger guage wires over a shorter distance. It also improves current by use of relays, which are remote switches with robust contacts that allow more current to reach the bulb.
Even though the short wiring harness inside the headlight enclosure will still be the old small guage wire, resistance is a function of both the diameter of the wire AND the length of the wire. The harness should allow you to see 5-10% more brightness from either your old lights with the 9004 bulbs, or the European lights with the H4 bulbs.
After studying all the posts I plan to buy the Euro lights first and see how they work with a standard wattage H4 bulb. If I am still unhappy I will try to find Philips +30 bulbs, which are claimed to have the same wattage as the standard bulbs but 30% more light due to better materials and focusing of the bulb. After that, If I still need more light I will worry about the harness/relay system. Overwattage bulbs are the last thing I would try, and then not with the standard harness or non-Euro enclosure, even though they seem to work for a lot of people. Good luck!

PS: Interesting discussion at the following web page, even though it is for Audi's. Check out the links as well, especially the Stern site! http://www.jps.net/seang1/mods/euros/euros.html

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JCE
87 300E, 60k miles
Smoke Silver

[This message has been edited by JCE (edited 02-19-2000).]

[This message has been edited by JCE (edited 02-19-2000).]