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        General >> Problems >> Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
        
(Message started by: Nick_H on Aug 24^th, 2005, 11:16am)

Title: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by Nick_H on Aug 24^th, 2005, 11:16am

Hello all,

I was driving in the dark in the rain on Monday night and thought to myself that I could really do with some better bulbs or something to pep up my headlamps. They just don't seem to 'reach' very far at all.

I'd be interested to hear recommendations regarding improvements (and no, I can't afford a HID lamp upgrade).

I know eBay and Halfords are full of super-whizzo-xenon-mega-bulbs but I'm a bit of an old sceptic so I thought I'd see if you guys could offer opinions, etc.

Cheers,
N_H
8)

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by craig on Aug 24^th, 2005, 2:32pm

well nick,i purchased a set of halfords own super white xenon bulbs for dipped and main beam,and did notice a signifant improvement (i also changed lenses at the time,so please take this into account as well),but would certainly recommend the bulbs themselves

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by barrie on Aug 24^th, 2005, 2:50pm

HI NICK, I BOUGHT A SET OF 4 ON EBAY FOR UNDER £10 AND THEY SEEM VERY GOOD BUT I HAVE JUST PUT THEM IN. THEY SEEM MUCH BRIGHTER THAN THE STANDARD BULBS AND AT THAT PRICE FOR 4 YOU CANT GO WRONG.

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by Highlander on Aug 24^th, 2005, 6:12pm

Scorpioman said in a previous post that new headlamp lenses made a big difference to the light given out

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by Paulus on Aug 24^th, 2005, 8:13pm

Hi everyone,
I have heard that they don't last as long though.

Paul.

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by mr._floppy on Aug 25^th, 2005, 10:55am

You could be a devil and try these " for off road use only " H1 100 watt babies that Halfords are selling ;)

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by Thunderchild on Aug 25^th, 2005, 11:32am

Hi,

I wouldn't recommend the 100 watt bulbs. They are generally slightly larger than the standard buld and as a result they throw the beam pattern off. The result is not better vision but worse and you can't get the pattern back to what it should be.

HTH

Thunderchild

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by Octavian_P on Aug 25^th, 2005, 11:53am

If the bulbs are too powerfull, they could burn parts of the electrical wireing.

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by Baz on Aug 25^th, 2005, 5:52pm

Thats right, someone did try it on here a while back and messed up all the wiring to the headlight circuits

Baz

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by Nick_H on Aug 26^th, 2005, 8:56am

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the opinions.

I've gone for a set of Osram Silver Star bulbs - same wattage but supposed to be much better than standard. (Well, AutoExpress think so, so who am I to argue?)

I'll let you know the results when I fit 'em...

N_H
:)

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by scorpio_man on Aug 26^th, 2005, 10:29am

hi nick

here's the link to what i'd posted about the headlight lenses.
http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Advice;action=display;num=1115456481;start=0#0

hth

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by craig on Aug 26^th, 2005, 11:35am

and if you fancy changing the lenses as well,have a read of

THIS HERE (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/headglass.htm)

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by Nick_H on Aug 26^th, 2005, 1:20pm

Thanks guys,

I noticed the difference last year when my previous Scorp had a headlamp lens replaced, so I know where you're coming from

I'll try the bulb solution first, due to the hefty difference in price...

N_H
:)

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by dart on Aug 29^th, 2005, 9:08pm

I'm intrested to know if one bit of tungsten can glow brighter than another?
If you wrap it up in a gas that gives it more oxygen than another then it must reach it's peak earlier and so die younger!
You never get something for nothing,so is it better to burn out or fade away? ???

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by martin_rowe on Aug 30^th, 2005, 9:16am

there is no oxygen in a bulb, just a mix of inert gases, different gases / mixes give different performance, as do filters on the glass.

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by Nick_H on Sep 1^st, 2005, 10:41am

Well, I've installed the new Osram Silver Star (http://www.osram.com/products/automotive/upgrade/silverstar.html) bulbs - the before and after pictures are below;

http://www.hassett.co.uk/img/old-and-new-low-beam.jpg

I know what you're thinking: "What's the difference?" Well, that's exactly what I'm thinking, too... Except that my wallet's £15 lighter now, of course... And these d**n things were 'Auto Express Recommended' as well! Grr!

So, today's top tip: If you're thinking of upgrading to Osram Silver Star bulbs - my advice: don't bother!

N_H
>:(

Note to Admin: Is it really necessary to censor the word "d**n"? ;)

Title: Re: Headlamps - bulb upgrades?
Post by Highlander on Sep 2^nd, 2005, 6:27pm

There must be better ones out there for those of you who frequent dark country lanes ;)