headlight globes

beej · Member

headlight globes

hako · Guru

My experience with upgrading bulbs has not been good - ended up melting the reflector above where the globe sat and then in heavy rain water entered the unit through the hole burnt by the globe. Had to buy 2 new headlights which was probably what I should have done in the first place as the lens and reflector are working better than with the old units.
Maybe some of these new fangled higher output globes put out more light and less heat, but be careful.

Good Luck.

beej · Member

thanks Denis,have decided to try some osram that my parts supplier uses as he said if im not happy with them after 1 month he will take them back,cant ask for more than that.Ihave been keeping an eye out for heat damage as well so will see how I go.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

beej, I had a 92 Patrol & threw out the sealed beams & inserted semi-sealed lights. I think they were Hella or similar. I thought I'd use some of those flash blue globes. They were bright alright - to oncoming cars! And they blew within an hour of each other exactly 12 months after they were installed. I replaced them with 55w +30 globes, had much better light on the road & they were still in the car when I sold it (many years later).

My current GU, I've replaced one globe with a +30 (leaving some skin on various items) but the other one will have to wait until it blows as I have to remove the air cleaner, etc just to get to the light.

Warren

PeterD · Guru

With the modern non metal and glass products that are used in later model headlights it is wise not to use globes with a higher wattage than the original ones. Higher powered globes tend to melt the plastic products used in the modern headlights.

When purchasing replacements I have noticed that each manufacturer has a range of the same power globes with differing prices, the darer ones have a higher claimed light output. Go for the ones with the highest light output within your budget. I have found that the dearer ones actually do give better light output than the cheaper ones.

macka17 · Guru

I tried the blue ones.
They still in garage.

Nowadays I use a 20in Light bar, Single row.
I find the single row throws a better LONG beam,
and the dual rows throw a deeper/denser but not so long, a beam.

Leaves 99% of all other lights for dead.
including the $700 spots also sitting on shelf in Garage.

It gives me a bright WHITE light as far as MY eyes can see down the road.
with side spread that shows almost to front bumper at sides.

When I turn it off leaving the main beams on. It looks like I have nothing on for a coupla seconds.
They are that good. As long as you buy a reasonably priced one.

Globe type lights are pretty well outdated nowadays.
I also have 2 x 6in LED's on rear for camp/reversing lights. they light up complete rear
for around 20yds or so.

1 mtr strip LED halved inside canopy half ea side.
Like daylight
Half a 5 mtr strip inside the 2.5mtr rollout.
Daylight. With a dimmer.

All up. my car is lit up, ouside and in for under $300 with dimmers and wiring.

Have NO 240 lighting inside or out of caravan either.
ALL LED's now.
Much brighter. all white light not yellowish and dimmable to suit.

The main thing I find about these LED;s is variables in lighting.
Bright/Mild white. RED, and a gentle yellow,
and run on Miliamps.

Watching Cowboys/Rabbits.
makes you cry, what's known as a lesson in ball handling.
Upgrading teev from 40in to 60in UltraHD next month or so.
Bought this 40 when 40in was the biggest. Daughter just bought an 80 in Curved.
WOW... Watch AVATAR or the footie on that. $8 grands worth with box to suit.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I find the white lights reflect back in rain ., Yellow lights seem to penetrated better . Also fitting higher wattage lights leads to other issues besides heat build up . The wire size and switch etc can burn out . Unless arelay is fitted . Some times the reflector in light becomes dirty or corroded ? These days it's simpler and easier to fit a light bar . With relay off high beam, via switch inside . With seperate battery feed .,

beej · Member

Thanks for all the replies guys,at the moment I have fitted the Osram blues 55/60w with 35m more length and brighter light output.Last night I went and found a dark road with some land marks and did aiming adjustment and bugger me found them set way too high,surprised I wasn't getting flashed on low beam.Compared some dash cam footage and the change is amazing so at the moment I am 1 happy camper, goes to prove you shouldn't overlook the basics.As I don't have any major trips planned till next year things can stay as they are for now,cheers

macka17 · Guru

Kiwi.

My white don't bother me,
But I wear graduated glasses with colour change chemicals in lenses.
Possibly that does same as Yellow??.

I just have std globes so O'Heat etc doesn't pertain.
Bars on separate circuit/relays.