now the lights...

Post by **gluck** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 8:32 am

After the reversing light, the fronts lights.
I'm sorry i don't know the english names so it' maybe wrong...
They are two lights on the minor. The position light and the headlamp. But in Belgium, I need a third one. "road lamp" It's a bigger one.

The simpliest is to fit a double optic lamp. It will be nicer and easier. Does it exist? Of another idea?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 8:48 am

The small lights on the front are called the side lights. On the headlights there are 2 positions called 'dipped beam' and 'main beam'
1) dipped beam: shows the road in front of you + is ok for a car coming towards you
2) main beam: shows the trees and a long way ahead on the road.

As for a third headlight!!

I have never heard of that.
The morris minor lights are the same as many cars such as the Mini. If there are a lot of Mini's or if they have a specialist in Belgium, he might be able to tell you how to meet this requirement.

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 8:51 am

I think by position lights you're describing what (in the UK) are called Side lights.

Double optic lamp? Is this just a twin fillament bulb with one lens over it (so you get the one lens, but with two brightnesses?) Or is it like the headlamp where the light pattern has to be significantly different? Or is it completely separate lamps?

I'm trying to think how you could do it....I was going to suggest abusing the late indicator/side lamp, but I don't think you can get twin-fillament bulbs in sidelight size. You could maybe get a high-brightness LED, but I think that would require quite a lot of modification.

Otherwise maybe get hold of a pair of period driving lights and fit them? Since my local motorfactor still stock lamps that would suit my '69 minor then it shouldn't be too hard to do?

Post by **57traveller** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 8:58 am

The halogen conversions on my Traveller are "quadoptic split beam" which has something to do with the configuration of the lens giving a particular beam pattern (one of Kate's suggestions). So maybe double optic is some sort of beam pattern required in Belgium? I'll dig out the instructions and see exactly what they say - and that is nil relating to what quadoptic means!

Post by **Cam** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 12:20 pm

Car clubs in Belgium should be able to help and if it's a legal requirement over there then they should be available!!! You could always ask at your equivalent of an MOT test station.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 12:44 pm

well thinking again - if the position light is the sidelight..
Do you know where the headlight dip switch is? (Its on the floor at the left of the clutch pedal)

Post by **Alec** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 5:53 pm

Hello Ray,
sseing your reference to never having seen a third headlight, reminded me of the Rover of the 50's (Rover 75 maybe?) with the central spot or fog light (I don't know which it was), commonly known as the 'Cyclops'. I'm sure there are others.
The other odd lighting style was Rolls Royce using Lucas spotlights as indicators, with suitably installed lamps (Bulbs to the non electrically biased amongst you)

Alec

Post by **Chris Morley** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 6:16 pm

I need a third one. "road lamp" It's a bigger one

I think you're right Ray, this must be full beam that Gluck is talking about - I can't believe that every old car in Belgium has to have extra modern lights fitted.

Post by **gluck** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 6:40 pm

yes it's right. Id didn't see it.
The problem for oldtimer in Belgium is that the law was voted in '68. So if you import cars you've to fit them. (per example, i have to fit fog lamp and reverse light)

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 9:09 am

I didn't see it.

Sorry about that - I should have showed you the switch when I explained all the other (both

) switches on the dash. I did wonder if I'd forgotten something, so I'm glad you got home in the dark ok!

Post by **gluck** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 9:49 am

they're lights on the speedway in Belgium ;)

Post by **gluck** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:49 am

because we drive on the right side of the way, i've to change the headlamps (LHD). And mini seems to be the same as the minor.
Right of not? (because it would be cheaper to buy those one in Belgium than UK)

Post by **Alec** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 12:02 pm

Hello Gluck,
yes, I don't see any reason why Mini headlights would not fit.
I don't know what year your car is but if they have sealed beams then there should be no great problem.

Regards.
Alec

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:19 pm

Yes, Mini ones will be ok.
Riley has sealed-beam type but you can go for Halogens or any other type when you replace them. If you go for the ones with a seperate bulb, then remember to block the sidelight hole otherwise the inside will corrode very quickly.

Post by **JustinMinor1000** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:49 am

Certainly the in the Landrover magazines they offer left and right hand drive Halogen conversions (the left handers are a pound or so more expensive).

For me the advantage of Halogens is more to do with ease of getting new bulbs than anything else.

Justin