I'm looking to buy halogen headlamps...

[Alex]

Following my light failure the evening before my mot both this year and last :( I'm looking to get some halogen headlamps.
Can anyone point in the direction of some that.
A. work
B. look right
C. are relatively cheap
I like the idea of all four coming on together is this legal?

Thanks,
Alex

Oh and is there much difference in quality?

[mikew]

Fit hids instead of halogen bulbs - fantastic result, available on ebay for about £30 a pair, I can see for miles and miles and miles...............

mike

[AlanChatterton]

Links Mike?......... all the HID kits I've seen are several hundred pounds!!

Don't, by law, HID lights have to have washer jets?..... or is that Xenon?

[mikew]

AlanChatterton wrote:

Links Mike?......... all the HID kits I've seen are several hundred pounds!!

Don't, by law, HID lights have to have washer jets?..... or is that Xenon?

By law they need to be E marked, and that means self levelling  etc etc, however with a little research you can source hid bulbs that are halogen fit, with the transformers.

However my stag has passed 3 mots with them fitted, and they will grace the 4by4 estate too.

These are not the cheapest source, but they do sell a 7" headlamp conversion (Tr5 and Spitfire!!)

www.hids4u.co.uk

I got mine off ebay from Hong Kong about £30 each pair

mike

[Doug Thompson]

Pardon Mr chatterton ??
Yes H.I.D are certainly the way forward , cibie light units are probably the best ,see if you can pick some up on ebay or failing that try CW for new ones 8)    

[Deleted User]

mikew wrote:

By law they need to be E marked, and that means self levelling  etc etc, however with a little research you can source hid bulbs that are halogen fit, with the transformers.

Mike,  You are only partially correct.

European directive 76/756/EC which came into force on the 1st October 1977 governs the "E-marking" of vehicle lights for any cars that were first used/registered on or after this date.

Therefore any vehicle first used/registered on/after 1st October 1977 MUST use "E" marked lighting components when used ON THE ROAD. If the vehicle is not using "E" marked components (including bulbs) then it is illegal and in contravention of the various Road Traffic Acts and Vehicle Lighting regulations.

High wattage head light bulbs ARE NOT "E" marked, and are therefore illegal to use on cars first used/registered ON or AFTER 1st October 1977.  

Likewise cars fitted with HID lights must have self leveling mechanisms for the lights, or self leveling suspension for the E marking to be valid, thus they would be illegal on a Triumph first used/registered ON or AFTER 1st October 1977.  

For vehicles first used/registered PRIOR to 1st Oct 1977, NO SUCH REGULATION EXISTS - it's just a case of "you must not dazzle on coming traffic"

[Alex]

If I bought a HID kit would I not also need to buy some headlamps to fit them in?

If so I think I'll have to just get halogens.....so wheres the best place,theres some on ebay at £25 a pair?

[Richard B]

Alex wrote:

I like the idea of all four coming on together is this legal?

No     :X

[Alex]

Richard_B wrote:

No     :X

oh :'(

[ferny]

Which is why it's handy for it to be so easy to pull the wires before an MOT. If you choose to wire that way. Some of us still run sealed beams...

[Alex]

Yes ferny me for one thats the problem....I guess in the old days you could just get another from halfords unfortunately these days you tend to need to order a new one.

[AlanChatterton]

Try and find a set of stag lights.................. you can change the bulb and put in some decent ones........

[mikeyb]

Cibies with decent bulbs are far superior to Stag originals . . . .  but not cheap!  :-/

[Richard B]

Use to be some Japanese lights called "Stanley", they were fitted to Honda's in the 80's. You might still find some in a breakers. 5 1/4" straight fitment to the 2000 with H2 halogens IIRC.

James broke one of my spare ones  :'(

Altenatively some of the Jaguars with the double round lights could be used as a source.

[mikew]

KevinR wrote:

Mike,  You are only partially correct.

European directive 76/756/EC which came into force on the 1st October 1977 governs the "E-marking" of vehicle lights for any cars that were first used/registered on or after this date.

Therefore any vehicle first used/registered on/after 1st October 1977 MUST use "E" marked lighting components when used ON THE ROAD. If the vehicle is not using "E" marked components (including bulbs) then it is illegal and in contravention of the various Road Traffic Acts and Vehicle Lighting regulations.

High wattage head light bulbs ARE NOT "E" marked, and are therefore illegal to use on cars first used/registered ON or AFTER 1st October 1977.  

Likewise cars fitted with HID lights must have self leveling mechanisms for the lights, or self leveling suspension for the E marking to be valid, thus they would be illegal on a Triumph first used/registered ON or AFTER 1st October 1977.  

For vehicles first used/registered PRIOR to 1st Oct 1977, NO SUCH REGULATION EXISTS - it's just a case of "you must not dazzle on coming traffic"

Thank you, I was unaware of this, and it was always a slight concern.

All I can say is its HIDS on everything now

mike

[shenderson]

Richard_B wrote:

No     :X

Actually I think the answer is yes, as long as dip beam can be used without main.

Therefore you could fit main/dip units in all four positions.  Some trucks have this arrangement.

Steve H

[piman]

Hello Steve,

yes you could but really I don't see any great benefit, as dips don't shine that far. Light intensity works on a square law so double the range quarters the intensity.

Alec