Brighter Headlights

Post by **racer** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 12:55 pm

You may have read else where on this forum about my near mot failure due to h/light not working . Today I re-wired all the front lights inc. indicators. Cut out all the old cotton covered rotting insulation wiring and run new h/duty cables ,re-made all earth connections etc. Amazing how much brighter the lights are with good earth connections! They had deteriorated over a period of years ,I had'nt noticed the poor beam quality ,still not fantastic ,due to using 7"sealed beam units-nothing fancy like halogens etc,but very much worth the trouble taken ! ROD

Post by **Alec** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 4:50 pm

Hello Racer,
halogen headlamps are not an expensive modification, well worth it in my opinion.

Alec.

Post by **salty_monk** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 6:17 pm

More of a drain on the battery though if you only have a dynamo... Make a big difference in a dark country lane though!

Post by **Matt** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 6:24 pm

In theory it shouldn't be, the halogens are more efficient. Remember GCSE/O Level physics Power = Voltage x Current. If the halogens are the same wattage as the sealed beams (as mine are/were/whatever) the current is the same....

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 6:35 pm

yes - but power output is a mix of heat and light....
different bulbs will give a different mix

Post by **Matt** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 6:50 pm

and as the halogens are brighter per watt, they are also colder, as the wattage includes the heat loss

Post by **Gareth** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:08 pm

Halogens are 60/55 watt.
Sealed Beams are somewhere around the 45w, I think. The ones that came off Phyllis were, at any rate, and they were the same as those fitted to the Mini...

Post by **Matt** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:29 pm

The sealed beams I have in my shed are 55/60W - the ones that came off my sprite and the morris (the other sprite had the halogens that are on the morris

)

Post by **racer** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:48 pm

Please excuse my ignorance , are these new fangled halogens,a bulb replacement or a complete sealed beam unit?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:56 pm

For the halogens, there is a hole in the back where the (halogen) bulb goes in.

Post by **racer** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:59 pm

So you use a new lens similar to the old bulb type?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 9:06 pm

Yes - although often the lenses look different (more flat). It depends on your taste as you may want people to know you've got halogens, or you may want the standard look.
I had a pair of halogens on the Green minor i had last year, and the lenses were nice and rounded like the normal Lucas sealed beams.

Post by **racer** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:03 pm

I've actually been looking for some lenses that apparently are rare now ,they have flat,poss concave lenses . I believe one design was made by cibie ,and were found on Fiats. I think the mk2 escort guys like them as well .

Post by **Matt** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:15 pm

Holden vintage and classic are selling cibie halogen conversions................

Post by **racer** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 6:51 am

Matt ,Never actually looked at that site 'til now . got some good stuff on there .Couldnt actually suss which one I would require ,so will have to ring them. All a bit pricy for me at the moment though!

Post by **Alec** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 8:37 am

Hello Racer,
the Wipac kit of two headlamps and all the bits and bobs is £29.95, unless you want the additional side light within the headlamp. then it's £35.95.
The wattage is the same as the sealed beams so there is no increased load.
My personal choice would be with side lights as I have a big thing about the hazards of driving in rain etc with dipped headlights. 6 watt side lights in a 7" headlight gives ample light to make you visible in low light conditions without dazzling all and sundry when using dipped headlights. (Despite it being recommended!!)

Alec

Post by **Gareth** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 5:01 pm

Well I thought my sealed-beams were particularly feeble... that could explain it, if they were lower-wattage!!

Post by **Matt** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 5:07 pm

Racer.... I never said they were cheap ;)

Post by **Alec** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 5:09 pm

Hello Racer,
Holden's sell the Wipac conversion kit, at around £30 for the lot, £35 or so for the better (in my opinion) units with integral sidelights. This lets you be seen on drizzly days without the dazzle that running on dip lights gives.
Not expensive, for two new headlight units and all necessary fittings.

Alec

Post by **racer** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 6:30 pm

Gareth......... Particularly feeble eh? ....You should have seen the lack of brightness when it was fitted with the orig. bulbs!!! I think the prob. grows on you &you dont realise exactly how bad they are !!