Better Headlamps

Post by **grahamt7** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 10:22 pm

My 67 saloon is ok (except for all the mechanical faults that are getting treated in October

), except for tghe headlamps....the light is not great!

What's the best to do...is there an uprated bulb (if so which type), can i fit additional new (old-looking of course) lights on the grille, will the battery and dynamo be capable of keeping up with them?

Cheers in advance,

Graham.

Post by **Onne** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:31 pm

You could first of all try Halogen type headlamps, which make alot of difference. they are not very expensive iether, and all Morris Minor suppliers do those. I just chnaged the bulbs, from normal duplo bulbs to halogen examples.

Post by **Scott** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:27 am

Upgrading to halogen will improve the lights greatly but stick to 60/55w globes if retaining the dynamo. You might find the dynamo stuggles at idle if you are running the heater/wipers/lights together though.

Make sure you fit relays for bigger lights - the later toggle light switches might handle the power (the early pull switches can't) but better to be safe than sorry.

If fitting halogen headlights & spot/driving lights then an alternator would be the way to go.
For some reason, the UK MM guys seem to have problems with alternators, but we love 'em here

.

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:44 am

Alternators Rock! (well, mine does - until I try to adjust the fanbelt at 7am in the cold and the **(!)@(£*&ng bolts won't undo... :/ )

Seriously though - an Alternator conversion is of great use if you're going to be sitting in that wonderful Manchester Traffic for any length of time - and Halogen headlamps are also great. I can't believe the difference they've made to Hebe

Post by **Cam** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 11:32 am

Halogen headlamps should draw the same current as the original lamps, but produce more light output (more efficient), unless you go for bigger rated bulbs, so your charging system should cope fine...

Graham, Nice car in the signature pic, but could you perhaps just use one picture in your signature to help the people on a dial-up connection and make the pages easier to read. Thanks.

Post by **grahamt7** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:08 pm

Cam, Point taken Cam
Cheers!

Post by **simmitc** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:09 pm

For legal road use the maximum is 60/55. A lot of night time accidents are caused by pillocks fitting more powerful off-road bulbs and then dazzling oncoming traffic

Post by **Packedup** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:59 pm

I've never been great with oncoming night traffic, but over the last three or four years I find I'm struggling to see a damned thing more than half the time

I reckon all these advances in light output, as well as boy racers fitting silly lights, is the problem.

Then there's the badly aligned fogs that are always on, and around here the number of people who don't dip after coming off the lanes. Makes me want to stick a kilowatt or two on the front of my car from time to time...

Post by **Cam** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:07 pm

simmitc wrote:For legal road use the maximum is 60/55. A lot of night time accidents are caused by pillocks fitting more powerful off-road bulbs and then dazzling oncoming traffic

Yeah, and on motorways at night when some pillock comes up behind you.

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:05 pm

I have Q/H headlamps with Xenon Bulbs, same wattage but about 50% brighter. Bought mine from local motor factors . But you can try http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffybulbsnew.htm
Ian

Post by **Gareth** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 11:58 am

I've got halogens, and they're brilliant. The newer kits have plastic bowls so they won't rust out like the last set I had...

I've also got a set of auxilliary lights on the front, one spot and one fog lamp. In hindsight, I'd probably put two fogs on, because I very rarely use the spot light, and with the halogens, it's use is negligible. They're repro Lucas 576 lamps, available from Holden Vintage and Classic and many many Autojumbles.