scotishscooby

I swear im gona go nuts.
Iv moved up 2 the Highlands now, Aviemore to be exact, and lets just say its a bit darker than the city!!!!!
So i went to up grade my head lights coz the origionals where, well, crap!!!!!
So i got off road extra bright 100/80w bulbs. Put them in and i was some what annoyed when i turned them on to fine out there was no difference what so ever!!!! The old bulbs where 60/55w!!!!!

Can some one explain why this is???

Do i need to adjust some electrical component/fuse?

Do the head light themsleves need adjusted??

Help please!!!!!

Chris.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

There are three possible explanations:

1. the stock headlights are crap, or,
2. The headlight need aligning properly, or,
3. the stock headlights are crap

Seriously, the reason you can't see with them is that they scatter the light badly, so if you put higher wattage bulbs in, you end up withh more light.......scattered. Thought of Morettes? (NOT Angel Eyes),?

You COULD try setting them up, flat carpark with no lights, or flat dark road, do one at a time, cover the other.

You could aslo try relaying them to get a higher voltage at the bulb, but that may, or may not, be appropriate. Do you have acccess to a voltmeter? You want about 13.6V across the bulb filaments with the engine running......I've heard folk complaining on here of as little as 11V

Alcazar

PS: a decent set of driving lights might help too, fitted in place of the foglights.

AlanG

There's a 4th and a 5th explanation...

4: You're not getting full voltage at the bulb i.e. 14.6V from the alternator but the lamp is only seeing something like 12V at the headlight due to thin wiring, in which case you can relay the system to ensure you get the full voltage (search for threads on this) or....

5: crap headlights!

R25 sti

no.s 1..3..5 are the most likely reasons...

scotishscooby

Well can some one advise me of GOOD bulbs then??

AlanG

scotishscooby
The unfortunate thing is that the lights are poor.
The crystal headlights from '99 on weren't much better and putting in more powerful bulbs won't make a huge difference because it's the design of the lens that gives you the light output.

I've tried 100/80W bulbs and found the same as what you're finding.

I then relayed my system and this made an improvement but not a great deal. Worthwhile doing yes, but in terms of cost/improvement, no.

I then very briefly tried Angel Eyes headlamps. Sold them the next day..

I then fitted HID 90mm lamps into the bumper ala P1 and these were (and still are) stunning for night time driving when on main beam but they are expensive. The downside is coming off main beam when you go back to the poor dip beam of the standard lamps.. If you're driving enthusiastically in the dark, when you switch back to dip beam it's a bit disconcerting. You have to drop your speed significantly.

I'm now using Morrettes and these are fine and probably what you're looking for in terms of lighting for dip and main beam. Try and find a secondhand set somewhere as they are pretty expensive new.

If you just want to change bulbs and not lamp units then GE electric bulbs are good. These are still 60/55W but they are cheap and just as good as the more powerful 100/80W you're probably using plus you won't be overloading the wiring.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Hmmmmmmm? Did you READ the responses? It's nowt to do wi' bulbs, guy, it's the LIGHTS themselves that are useless, scattering light everywhere

My advice to you would be:
1. Set them up, one at a time until you are satisfied that they are pointing in the right direction,
2. Measure the votage across the rear of each filament of each bulb.
3. If it's much less than 13.6V, get them relayed, do a search on here for a "how to".
4. If you're STILL not satisfied, buy some genuine Morettes, and fit GE Megalight bulbs in the outer pair, (or PVP )
5. Get some driving lights and fit 'em in place of your foglights.

Alcazar

AlanG

Megalight, that's the word i was looking for...

GE Megalights are the bulbs i was thinking of.

Tim-H

It`s a long post but it`s all in there :-)
Have a good one
Tim
http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthrea...elay+headlamps