Nick Jackson (2) Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Would some kind soul please advise me what options I have to provide better illumination from my Mk2 saloon dipped-headlights. I think I'm using standard (5 3/4"?) halogens or sealed beams and really want to just change the bulbs to a modern bulb. Perhaps the Osram Nightbreakers I've seen advertised? I do have a bank of relays though for all headlights, so no worries there.Worst case, I might have to invest in some whole new headlights but I'm trying to avoid that,ThanksNick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 First, if you've not got relays fitted, do it. Big fat wires straight from power to the lights (via suitable fuses) makes a huge difference - even the old sealed beams can give a half way decent result. Has the happy side effect of not letting the smoke out of the column switch too!I just swapped the sealed beam units for halogen conversions. There are various ones around of varying prices. I think the Cibie flat fronted ones are reckoned to be about the best - they certainly cost the most!Then think about special bulbs. Not sure you need them though. Both my Triumphs have better lights than either of my moderns.Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piman Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hello Nick Jackson, relays in them selves do not improve things, the important point as Nick said is the cable size. I would endorse his view that the now old fashioned halogen lamps give a very good output on the saloon. I certainly feel no need to fit anything better?Alec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piman Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hello Nick Jackson, relays in them selves do not improve things, the important point as Nick said is the cable size. I would endorse his view that the now old fashioned halogen lamps give a very good output on the saloon. I certainly feel no need to fit anything better?Alec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrookster Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Nick, wait until you lose one of your dips!!One of mine has gone recently, and believe you me it makes a difference!!I keep musing over Mr Witor's HID kit, not yet decided but after driving the other night with only one dip beam light in the pouring rain, I need some serious improvement!! Just not yet convinced the HID is necessarily the best way forward, I was planning on asking the advice of the collected wisdom here before making my mind up!Cheers,Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy thompson Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Main beam - use flat fronted narva / hella - same as old 3 series BMW. I use these with relays and 55w (+30% type) and they are amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAJ Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I have Cibie outer and Marchall inners on the estate and Hella outer and Cibie inners on the pi. The pi also has pilot lights in the outers to add to the normal side lights.Both cars have large feeds and relays and both cars have impressive light output.As an experiment before fitting the Halogens on the estate I just added the large feed and relays. Dipped beam (original sealed beam) had 28% more light output measured with a lux meter with the new feeds!A word of caution. The pi had the halogens fitted when I bought it, but no relays..........I didn't realise this until I flicked from dipped to main on a very dark night. It takes a second or so for the brain to realise what you need to do to get the lights back. ??)Colin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piman Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Hello Colinn, "The pi also has pilot lights in the outers to add to the normal side lights."Ditto, I feel that is a good way to be seen in less than ideal conditions rather than dipped head lights which can cause dazzle or make other traffic and pedestrians less visible.Alec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt George Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Nick,I fitted the below H4 dipped beam kit (and also some separate relays) prior to the RBRR in 2012, along with the equivalent H1 main beam inners.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-3-4-Halogen-Headlight-headlamps-Triumph-Stag-Vitesse-/390430281663?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5ae7754fbfThe difference is astounding compared to the old sealed beam versions, definitely a worthy upgrade!Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I swear by the Cibie units that are fitted to the Mk1PI. But they are £50 a pop now. Got mine at less than half that, and it included relays and bulbs!I have just ordered one of the BadBoy Classics sets from Ebay that cost £40 for the set of 4 to try on one of the other saloons.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200964788681?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_606wt_1170I'll report back, but am working on the asusmption that anything is better than the 4 piss holes in the snow that the sealed beams produce.CheersColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzer Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Yes as mentioned if you fit halogens fit a type that is at least 30% brighter, I've used night breakers in Cibies and they are better than plenty of moderns. Unfortunately hit a dry stone wall on a rally and took out three of the Cibies!... that was a cheap day out. Anyway replaced them with Cibies again sourced through my local Auto Electric chaps but took a bit of doing as Cibie changed hands or something but well worth the shop around. I also changed the bulbs for the brightest available cant remember the make but the packets where black and gold! Superb, I use the car on night rallies and cant fault them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jackson (2) Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Many thanks for the comments. Firstly, I went out to the car and assessed the chubbinmess of my wires into the relays (see photo). Certainly the brown ones look decidedly stout but the white wires coming off the smaller black box are not quite as thick. This weekend I'll have to trace some wires back to see which wires are which, to properly assess whether everything is how it should be.I also checked the headlights themselves and was amazed to find the outers are Cibie's and the inners Lucas. The inners are the main beam lights (yes?) but they're really effective on my usual country roads! Assuming the outers are the dipped headlights ( the car's laid up at the moment with no battery so I can't check), then I'm wondering why the Cibie's aren't giving me enough light. I'll have to check the bulbs that are fitted but, failing that, it could well be the wiring. Any other reasons for poor light from apparently good Cibie headlights?Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Outers should be both main beam and dip.Don't forget to check the earth wires and earthing points - just as important as the feedsNick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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