H4 / 9003 Headlight Bulbs for Dual-Beam High & Low Beam Systems
The H4 headlight bulb, also marketed as 9003 in many regions, is a dual-beam automotive lighting standard that integrates high-beam and low-beam functions into a single bulb. Identified by its P43t (P43t-38) bayonet base and three electrical contacts, the H4 format enables instant filament-based beam switching without shutters or solenoids, simplifying headlamp assembly design.
H4 bulbs operate on a 12V passenger-vehicle electrical system and are widely used in cars, SUVs, and light trucks, particularly in compact and older headlamp housings where a single bulb performs both lighting roles.
Typical halogen H4 specifications include:
- High beam: 60W
- Low beam: 55W
- Current draw: ~5.0A
- Light output: ~1,000–1,700 lumens depending on beam mode
- Color temperature: ~3,000–3,200K warm white
Because the H4 bulb does not contain a mechanical shutter, the headlight housing optics fully control the beam pattern and cutoff, whether reflector-based or designed for dual-filament-compatible projector systems. This makes filament or emitter positioning a critical factor for glare control and road legality when upgrading to LED or HID.
This Underground Lighting collection includes 3 H4 technology variants, covering LED retrofit, HID replacement, and CANbus HID conversion:
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This dual-beam H4 LED replacement kit replicates both high- and low-beam functionality using solid-state LED technology. Light is produced through electroluminescence at a semiconductor p-n junction, eliminating filaments and halogen gas.
- Output: Up to 12,000 lumens per pair
- Power draw: 60W system total
- Color temperature: 6000K pure white
- Design intent: Plug-and-play installation in H4 / 9003 housings
Proper LED chip placement relative to the original dual filaments is essential to maintain correct beam separation between low- and high-beam modes.
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These are xenon HID arc bulbs designed for vehicles already equipped with H4 HID systems. An electric arc inside a xenon-gas quartz capsule generates light, and an external 35W ballast is required for ignition and regulation.
- Output: Approximately 3700 lumens per pair
- Color temperatures: 3000K yellow, 6000K white, 8000K white/blue, 10000K blue
- Use case: Direct H4 HID bulb replacement, not a full conversion
These bulbs support both visibility-focused and appearance-focused configurations depending on the selected color temperature.
This hybrid H4 HID conversion kit is engineered for dual-beam headlamp systems.
The low beam operates on xenon HID, while the high beam retains halogen filament operation, preserving OEM high-beam response and the characteristics of the original halogen high-beam function.
The kit includes:
Electrical specifications:
- Ignition phase: Up to ~23,000V
- Sustained operation: ~85V AC regulated output
- Vehicle compatibility: 12V systems with bulb monitoring
- Ballast power: 35W
CANbus integration is designed to help prevent dashboard errors, flicker, and bulb-out warnings common in compatible modern vehicles.
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