Argumentative grandad over headlamps

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

The N.S. headlamp has stopped working on dipped beam - the filament must be burnt out. Now, this is a sealed beam unit so I took it out to see if there was a bulb which could be replaced, but as it's sealed beam I can see for a fact that there is no separate bulb; the whole unit needs replacing.

However, grandaddio and his next door neighbour absolutely refuse to believe me when I say the whole unit needs replacing as the 'bulb' is a part of the reflector unit. I even took it apart in front of them but they were having none of it.

So to settle an argument and to prove me right (I know I am) let's hear your comments regarding the relacement of sealed beam headlamps.

[chrisryder]

Indeed, proper sealed beam units are just that. sealed! you have to replace the whole thing.

as an interesting idea, you should just hand the unit to your granddad and get him to take the bulb out for you, if he's that convinced!

sealed beam units used to be cheap and plentiful, but i think there was a shortage/supply problem with them recently that meant the price rocketed up. to the extent that it was as much to convert to the much better (and with removable bulbs) halogen headlights.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Hm. dunno about halogen, I'm truly impressed with the standard headlamps (yes you read that correctly). They are BRIGHT and shine a long way ahead. It's a shame I will have to replace the whole unit as they are the originals with a LUCAS in a circle in the middle. New ones don't have Lucas in a circle in the middle.

[LouiseM]

Sealed beam units were introduced in the Minor from '66 onwards. With the earlier headlight units you could just change the bulb rather than replace the whole unit. Perhaps that's what your grandad & next door neighbour were thinking of?

[Neil MG]

Original Lucas sealed beams come up on eBay all the time. I have built up a small stock (not for sale!) and never pay more than £10 including shipping.

[bmcecosse]

I wouldn't keep them for too long - they slowly leak the protective inert gas - and then burn out in no time as the filament oxidises........

[mike.perry]

As you have to replace one headlight then splash out and buy a pair of Wipac Quadoptic halogen lights. They are not that expensive and far superior if you do any night driving on country roads

[Neil MG]

I wouldn't keep them for too long - they slowly leak the protective inert gas - and then burn out in no time as the filament oxidises........

It seems that some do and some don't. If they work, they work, if they blow I can replace them! So far I have fitted them (replacing non-origs) on three of my cars, and a couple of friends cars and had no failures in over five years. But yes, I have had a couple blow as soon as they were tested.

[riley 1489]

Hi,

I converted my sealed beams to halogen- using Cibie units. Much better quality than Wipac which tend to rust on the reflectors. More expensive but you get what you pay for- much better beam pattern too. Thus the headlights on my Riley 1.5 and MG Midget are just as good as those on my modern BMW 3 series.

Regards
Chris

[mike.perry]

Wipacs are now coated plastic, so no rust

[irmscher]

There was a test on sealed beams for classics and wipac came out on top with there quadoptic range and like Mike says they are now coated.

[riley 1489]

There was a test on sealed beams for classics and wipac came out on top with there quadoptic range and like Mike says they are now coated.

Good news they have fixed the rusting problem. I remember replacing a few for that reason in the past.

Where was that test, I'd be interested in searching that out. I do know that Cibie conversions are / were the choice of rally drivers & the like, and indeed the main source of them today is competitions / tuning specialists.

Regards
Chris

[mike.perry]

I would not turn down a pair of Cibie Biodes but the cost would make my credit card melt.

[riley 1489]

Well Cibies used to be more cost effective in the long run as the reflectors don't rust (had ones on my Midget & MGBGTV8 for 25+ years). I would be interested to see the 'test' referred to as the Cibie beam pattern is very good indeed. I think they're about £80 a pair. I had a look at Lucas H4 headlamp conversions recently for the Riley but wasn't impressed with the quality, so went for the Cibies again.

Regards
Chris

[bmcecosse]

Yes - the Cibie Biodes were fantastic lights - I don't know/understand why they stopped making them. They were never cheap - but always very good!

[riley 1489]

Not sure if that's a specific / special Cibie light you have in mind there BMC but I've just had a quick Google & new 7" Cibie H4 headlamp conversions are still available for circa £35 each at various race / rally type specialists.

Chris

[bmcecosse]

Aye - but not Cibie Biodes....... - which have TWO H1 bulbs inside, each with own reflector.