Date:         Wed, 1 Nov 2000 19:14:45 -0600
Reply-To:     Bolliver <bolliver@IPA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bolliver <bolliver@IPA.NET>
Subject:      Re: Headlight improvements IMHO
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

-----Original Message-----
From: James S. Cohen <jscohen@SPRYNET.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Sunday, October 29, 2000 5:50 PM
Subject: Headlight improvements IMHO


Craig,
     There is also a shield inside the low/high beam light.  It partialy
blocks the light from the bulb hitting the reflector.  I carefully remove
most of this shield and it improved the light pattern.  I have not had any
oncomming cars flash me so I don't think it cause a problem.

Colin



>Craig and all,
>
>I agree that the stock '86 up low beams SUCKKKK!
>
>They so drove me crazy in my old '86 westy that I almost bought Euro
>H-4s at $135 a side! (Fortunately it burned up before I could buy
>them.... 8-0  ).
>
>But the problem lies in the lousy construction of the lights, not in
>the wattage  of the bulbs.
>
>I've seen what one gets with the high watt bulbs and was unimpressed.
>
>Using higher wattage bulbs is not a great solution for two reasons:
>
>First,  doubling the wattage only increases the light output by like 1/3.
>
>Second, brighter lights don't compensate for the poor design of the
>light reflectors and optics. You'll still have hot spots and poor
>beam distribution.
>
>Third: I HATE being blinded by oncoming cars with high Watt bulbs!
>(okay, I know I said TWO reasons, but this just came to me! ;)  )
>
>There are few alternatives. The SA Quad Grille (which I sell) with
>Hella round Vision Plus lights or H-4s  is the best.
>
>Euro H4 replacements is second best but they are expensive and is a
>VW exclusive product. (I'm looking into getting a cheap source,
>however).
>
>Adding aux Fog lights will also help supplement the low beams. Hella
>used to make an aux "low beam" light, but I don't know if they still
>do.
>
>Finally, I'm now a BIG believer in using a relay and running a large
>gauge wire directly from the battery to the lights.
>
>Hella claims that if the thin wire that runs through the light switch
>to the lights drops the voltage only 10% (which is likely, maybe
>more)  from 13.8 volts to 12 you'll only have 67% of your lights
>luminous intensity!!
>
>I didn't believe this until I burned up a couple of $50 switches in
>my Corrado after adding Euro driving lights and decided to try a
>relay on my high beams.
>
>I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE!! It was like I got higher watt
>bulbs. The light color changed to bright white making the stock
>set-up seem yellow by comparison. And this is with the STOCK 55/60W
>bulbs!  I then added a relay to the low beams. That was a HUGE
>difference.
>
>So, try the relay first. Then move on from there.
>
>I'm going to start selling relays and wiring harnesses to accompany
>my SA Quad grilles, but they'll work with the stock lights as well.
>
>I hope this helps
>
>James
>
>
>
>
>
>
>>1) In our 1990 Multi Van the headlights are pathetic. Short of the
>>four light South
>>African conversion (very cool) are there any good ways to improve
>>the lighting on
>>these? I am used to running 90/130 h4 bulbs in my air cooled cars so
>>I have become
>>spoiled by being able to see at night.
>>
>>2) Also our 1990 is an automatic with almost 49,000 miles on it. What does
the
>>automatic require for a long and illustrious life? Are there any
>>inherent problems
>>with these? I have never owned any automatic before.
>>
>>Thanks in advance,
>>Craig
>>the Gorge VW club
>