Which halogens?

[southerly95]

Flushed with success of fitting an alternator I would like to improve the lighting but not sure which halogens to use.

What extra performance might they provide over the originals and which ones still look like the original shaped headlight? Lastly are they like;y to need refoccussing? Thanks, John

[simmitc]

The Wipac Quad Optic halogen set is the closest match in terms of a curved lens; the other makes are more of a flat lens. Neither will need "focussing" but you may need to adjust the height and direction if they are distrubed during fitting. The swap is very straigthforward.

[MoggyTech]

Remember if you go for high power bulbs, the wiring will need to be upgraded, and a relay fitted. I prefer sealed beam units, as the reflectors never tarnish, and the light output is fine.

[simmitc]

The road legal halogens are the same 60/55w rating as sealed beams, the extra light comes from the reflector and bulb; and therefore the standard wiring is OK. If you fitted the 100w halogens then you would (a) need to improve the wiring and (b) be illegal for road use; but the kit as supplied just goes in without any other modifications.

[dalebrignall]

the wipacs are very good i have put blue bulbs in mine,the lght is very bright and they look dare isay it cool.

[bmcecosse]

No need to fiddle with wiring - the extra light output comes fom more efficient use of the electricity - more visible light. Bulbs over 55W are not legal on UK highway. One 'trick' is to wire the elements so the dip beam stays on all the time - and main beam switches on and off as required. This gives lots more light and is perfectly legal (may reduce lamp life - although some argue it can actually improve it!), but will possibly require upgrade of the light switch and the feed wire to it - however my experience is that main beam lights are used so infrequently these days that the wiring will cope perfectly well for the short bursts of extra current required.

[Packedup]

I prefer sealed beam units, as the reflectors never tarnish, and the light output is fine.

And you have to carry a very carefully packed spare headlight rather than a small box with a bulb in the glovebox!

And if you are caught without a spare at midnight, the nearest garage will have a spare H4 bulb (for slightly silly money), whereas they don't tend to have a 7" sealed beam on the shelf...

[bmcecosse]

And the modern halogen lights give so much more light on the road - you can actually see where you are going.

[MoggyTech]

Carrot Juice also works

[Packedup]

Carrot Juice also works

I tried that, but just got a cloud of odd smelling steam and a couple of bits of blackened wire.

[alex_holden]

I found the old sealed beam lights were adequate until a modern car coming the other way dazzled me with their super-bright Halogen or Xenon headlights and obliterated my night vision.

[MoggyTech]

I found the old sealed beam lights were adequate until a modern car coming the other way dazzled me with their super-bright Halogen or Xenon headlights and obliterated my night vision.

An old trick to counter this, is to close one eye, but be aware you lose depth perception for a moment, better than being blinded by these modern 'way too bright' lights on some cars. My Polo Sport pumps out a ridiculous 330 Watts of lighting on full beam with driving lights on as well.

[southerly95]

Wipac Quadoptics were fitted today. Instead of having what looks like two spot lights on when dipped the car now has a nice pool of light across the road and is ok to 50 or so. With the mainbeam on the difference is incredible compared to the old ones, thanks for all the advice, regards, John

[aupickup]

seled are like driving with candles, halogens for me as well
we had sealed beam halogens in the early years any way

[forbesg]

One 'trick' is to wire the elements so the dip beam stays on all the time - and main beam switches on and off as required.

Nice! I'll have to remember that one.

-GRant F.

[Alec]

Hello MT,

it is not just the wattage, there seems to be so much scatter with modern 'stylish' lamps.
By the way what are driving lamps?

Alec

[MoggyTech]

Hello MT,

it is not just the wattage, there seems to be so much scatter with modern 'stylish' lamps.
By the way what are driving lamps?

Alec

Driving lamps are defined by the lense type and reflector focus point, e.g. they are not classified as Fog Lamps. As such, it is legal to use driving lamps when visibility is ok. They should be adjusted to illuminate the area behind the dip beam coverage. As such, they are great on B roads, as they light up the verges close to the car, and make for safer cornering.

NB The above is based on the last version of the Road Traffic Act I read some years ago, and things might have changed! There should be numbers etched into the glass but I can't remember what the various number used to be for different lamp types.

Most under bumper lights on modern cars ARE fog lights, and should only be used when visibility is 100 Meters or less. Police around here, are finally clamping down, as most drivers were using them all the time.

[Alec]

Hello MT,

thanks for the explanation.

Alec

[bmcecosse]

Extra front lights can be used with or instead of the headlights provided they are set at the same height as the headlamps - and are in pairs of course. Additional lights that are low set on the car can be used on their own only in Fog or Falling Snow. If they are lighting the area between the dip beam and the car - they are a waste of light at any worthwhile speed - you have already seen/passed over that bit of road by the time it registers. May be handy in Fog/Snow when travelling slowly - hence 'Fog' lights. Proper 'Driving lights' will be set to give long range beams to augment the main beam headlights - usually they will be set to a wider spread than main beam - or many rally folk cross them so the additional beams shine round the next corner while the headlights shine straight ahead which is not much use on a twisty road at high speed. These lights must then of course extinguish with the main beams in order not to blind others.