headlamps brightness boost
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
headlamps brightness boost
Sorry if this has been discussed before. Which is better, converting headlamps to LED, or using the campervan culture new wiring kit with extra relays?.philmcC
Re: headlamps brightness boost
Try clean the earth crowns first or swap out old and tired wiring before spending out money on the above.
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
Re: headlamps brightness boost
Have you tried using Osram night breaker bulbs?
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 859
- Joined: 20 Oct 2009, 18:42
- 80-90 Mem No: 16447
- Location: Somerset
- Contact:
Re: headlamps brightness boost
There are many culprits for poor headlamps.....
LEDs are illegal unless installed to a mass of regulations.
- Standard tungsten bulbs. You can change for "conversiontype" H4 halogen bulbs. Take care, most H4s have a different fitting but the conversion type are correct, legal, and work well.
- Corroded reflectors and foggy lenses. New headlamp units required in both cases obviously.
- Tired connections on the old wiring as previously suggested.
- Poor earth connections on the crowns as previously suggested.
- The switch is a candidate for a poor connection and voltage drop, and can get hot as a result, even melting if things get bad. Correctly fitted relays for both dip and main beam should divert the heavy current away from the switch.
- The length of the wiring via the switch as designed produces excessive voltage drop. Correct wiring of relays direct from the fusebox with short, heavier duty cables will improve things dramatically.
LEDs are illegal unless installed to a mass of regulations.
1.9D (AEF) pop-top. Aaaaahhhhh........that's better.
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 808
- Joined: 19 Jun 2010, 12:53
- 80-90 Mem No: 10165
- Location: coulsdon
Re: headlamps brightness boost
There was a tread on here Re upgrading wiring with relays to remove the load on the headlight switch and running a heavier duty supply wire from the battery to supply the power side of the relays, but I can't remember when. I have done this on mine and use the 'Osram Nightbreaker' bulbs, although I rarely drive the camper in the dark I am always pleased to see how good the lights are now more like a modern car( should add that I have an SA grill with the extra round main beams, but the light output was improved dramatically by changing to relays and heavier duty supply). not sure if the CVC mod has battery cable to lower the volt drop.
1985 hi-top 2.1MV with DG carb and LPG
1955 trials buggy with 1.9 DG high lift cam and twin dell's (now sold)
1972 1303 beetle
1992 Audi 100 2.8 quattro estate
1967 Vw Madison kit
1955 trials buggy with 1.9 DG high lift cam and twin dell's (now sold)
1972 1303 beetle
1992 Audi 100 2.8 quattro estate
1967 Vw Madison kit
- Oldiebut goodie
- Registered user
- Posts: 7312
- Joined: 18 Apr 2008, 01:19
- 80-90 Mem No: 11135
- Location: Eastern Angle
Re: headlamps brightness boost
Stair tread or foot tread?
1.6D 2019 VW T-Cross
200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
5̶0̶8̶d̶ ̶M̶e̶r̶c̶
200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
5̶0̶8̶d̶ ̶M̶e̶r̶c̶
Re: headlamps brightness boost
I got a loom upgrade with relays from slaughterhouse customs. Much much better than before
84 Caravelle 1.9DG
- Robsey
- Registered user
- Posts: 1196
- Joined: 19 May 2012, 20:45
- 80-90 Mem No: 11137
- Location: East Manchester
Re: headlamps brightness boost
I can second that.
Night breakers made a huge difference to the light output on my other cars.
To coin a phrase - the difference is night and day.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished
- Mocki
- Membership Admin
- Posts: 17010
- Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
- 80-90 Mem No: 428
- Location: Mansfield Notts
- Contact:
Re: headlamps brightness boost
Unless you really are totally useless with wiring, dont bother paying the big money for a pre-made loom, it’s probably only half a hour longer to make it up from components as you do the job and 1/4 of the price .
The diagrams are simple and you will know its been done safely and right , not bodged up by someone paid peanuts to put it together and sold at a huge mark up
The info is all here
The relay upgrade is the single biggest improvement to can make to these vans lights , and then adding nightbreakers is the cherry on the top ….. no point putting night breakers in without knowing they have the correct working voltage .
From memory , just 0.5v drop results in 40% less light output .
The diagrams are simple and you will know its been done safely and right , not bodged up by someone paid peanuts to put it together and sold at a huge mark up
The info is all here
The relay upgrade is the single biggest improvement to can make to these vans lights , and then adding nightbreakers is the cherry on the top ….. no point putting night breakers in without knowing they have the correct working voltage .
From memory , just 0.5v drop results in 40% less light output .
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
________________
1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper
tel / txt O7947-137911
________________
1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper
- slowcoach
- Registered user
- Posts: 1591
- Joined: 06 May 2010, 10:23
- 80-90 Mem No: 8892
- Location: West Yorkshire
- Contact:
Re: headlamps brightness boost
I dunno, I'm pretty handy with wiring and soldering over the last 30 years of adult life, but I got a premade headlight loom for a land rover. The quality was excellent, ceramic sockets etc, and saved me a lot of time. I was more than happy for the £25 or whatever it was.
But yes, a good upgrade for sure. I have headlamps from powerful.com. a few choices on there. Plastic lenses, but good reflectors and they perform well. The full beam is particularly impressive. They're only £35 ish a pair. Mine are about 8 years old and one of them has started to pit a bit on one of the reflectors. But whatever
Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk
But yes, a good upgrade for sure. I have headlamps from powerful.com. a few choices on there. Plastic lenses, but good reflectors and they perform well. The full beam is particularly impressive. They're only £35 ish a pair. Mine are about 8 years old and one of them has started to pit a bit on one of the reflectors. But whatever
Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk
===================
1984 TRAKKA Conversion Subaru EJ20 5 Speed
1984 TRAKKA Conversion Subaru EJ20 5 Speed
Re: headlamps brightness boost
Thanks for all the comments, much appreciated. Will go ahead with the loom upgrade and new bulbs.philmcC