HEADLIGHTS

[Bert2]

I have just fitted a pair of headlamps that I obtained from ebay as my headlamp reflectors had rusted through and I did not think they would pass an MOT. The ones I fitted were originals with the 45/40 watt bulbs, when I took the fitted ones off I noticed they were fitted with 60/55 watt Halogens my questions are

1. I was going to uprate the headlamps at a later stage once I have got the van through the MOT (its been a 2.5 year project) 60/55 watt lamps will require higher amps so I was going to fit a relay system for the dip and main as mentioned in the wiki this has not been done yet but the lamps have obviously been uprated at some point in the past without any damage to switchgear etc, is it wise to continue to use these lamps or return to the correct rating ie 45/40s until I have uprated the system.

2. Next question the 60/55 watt lamps were fitted to existing standard headlight fittings, is there any advantage once I have uprated the electrical system to change to headlamps designed for the correct h4 lamps or will keeping the existing headlights using 60/55 Halogens be OK

Cheers

[toomanytoys]

Upgrading with relays WILL help no end.. it will also save your headlamp switch....

The round lenses marked "H4" give a much better spread of light over the non h4 type..

Fit relays and the "H4" units...

[Bert2]

The head lamps I have fitted are the non h4 type as were the original ones, the originals were fitted with h4 lamps that were a conversion type lamp. I take it that using these will not damage the head lamps themselves. I will fit H4 marked head lamps when I have some more spare cash and have used the van a bit, I still have to get it an MOT and start using it cant wait.

[Gunslinger]

I use 100/80 halogen bulbs in the non halogen headlamps and they are fine. I have done the relay thing of course

[Bert2]

Thanks for that I will get the van through its MOT then think about fitting the relay mod

[naskeet]

The 60/55W H4 quartz-halogen headlamps, have been available as a factory-fitted option, for VW Transporters, since at least 1973 and possibly as early as 1971, so you should find that your existing headlamps' electrical circuit, has been designed with this option in mind. If one has in mind to use high-power bulbs, then it would be advisable to upgrade the electrical circuit using accessory relays and heavy-duty cable (both for positive supply & earth connections).

These days, it is possible to obtain various power ratings, of 12V high-power, H4 quartz-halogen bulbs, with either P45t flanges (as used for the 45/40W glass-envelope bulbs) and P43t flanges (as used for normal, standard 60/55W H4 bulbs). Those which I have recently found listed are 100/55W, 100/80W, 100/90W, 130/90W, 130/100W, 160/90W & 160/100W.

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/High-W ... lly-Bulbs/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ringautomotive.co.uk/product ... records=16" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ringautomotive.co.uk/product ... p?prod=171" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ringautomotive.co.uk/product ... p?prod=172" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.trifa.de/cms/front_content.p ... y=&page=18" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.trifa.de/cms/front_content.p ... angelang=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Although I have yet to find any scientifically rigorous & objective comparisons, I suspect that some of the more recent Xenon-enhanced, 60/55W quartz-halogen bulbs (e.g. Philips, Osram or Ring brands), claiming as much as 80%, 90% or 100% increased intensity, compared to normal, standard 60/55W H4 quartz-halogen bulbs, might actually provide greater illumination intensity, than at least some of the high-power H4 quartz-halogen bulbs.

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H4-Rin ... -pair.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Subjective comparison of the illumination intensity, from two nominally identical, car headlamps (no reference to lamps' available potential differences in volts or reflectivity of the reflectors), fitted with different H4 quartz-halogen bulbs



Left-hand side -- Philips X-Treme, Xenon-enhanced bulb, labelled 60/55W
Right-hand side -- Unspecified brand, normal bulb, labelled 100/80W (claimed to have been measured as 88/70W, but without reference to the operational voltage)

As far as I'm aware, the Xenon enhanced, 60/55W quartz-halogen bulbs, are only available with P43t mounting flanges, but one could fit them in conjunction with P43t to P45t installation adapters, for use in non-H4 type headlamp units.

P43t flange to P45t flange-recepticle adaptor (on its own)



P43t flange to P45t flange-recepticle adaptor (with P43t flanged bulb, in a headlamp unit with P45t recepticle)

[Cruz]

I use 100/80 halogen bulbs in the non halogen headlamps and they are fine. I have done the relay thing of course

Aren't those bulbs for off road?

[naskeet]

I use 100/80 halogen bulbs in the non halogen headlamps and they are fine. I have done the relay thing of course

Aren't those bulbs for off road?

It all depends upon the initial registration date (31st March / 1st April 1986 is the critical threshold) of one's vehicle and/or whether the bulbs are E-marked or not!

[rollercoaster]

The critical threshold meaning what?
Its ok before that or after?

My vans dipped beam is very poor and I am wanting to do something about it.
Its a 89 SA Caravelle with twin headlights as you see from the pic,
now what puzzles me is that the main beam includes all the four lights, dip is just the outer two,
Is that how its supposed to be?
Wondering if someone has linked up fogs with mainbeam to make it brighter.
I will take out the bulbs and replace them with the best, most appropriate upgrade,
what would that be in my case please?

I dont want to dazzle everyone, but they are too dim at the moment.

Thanks

[bigherb]

Pretty certain the SA square headlights are the same as European using H4 bulbs, all you need to do is upgrade to Phillips Extreme or Osram Night breaker H4 bulbs. The relay mod is worth doing at some point as VW did'nt wire it up the best way. The cables are ok but there is to much voltage drop throught he light and dip switches.

[Cruz]

Just to re-iterate

Using bulbs such as 100/80 without fitting relays will melt your headlight switch

[bigherb]

Just to re-iterate

Using bulbs such as 100/80 without fitting relays will melt your headlight switch

Yep and there is not much point in using them when Phillips Extreme or Osram Night breaker give out more light using the same power as a standard bulb.

[jamesc76]

Just to re-iterate

Using bulbs such as 100/80 without fitting relays will melt your headlight switch

well ya welcome to come look at my switch as that statement is bull! If your wiring is ok and earths are good then IT WILL NOT MELT YOUR SWITCH!!