Date: Thu, 2 May 2002 18:10:51 -0700
Reply-To: Brent Christensen <sbsyncro@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Brent Christensen <sbsyncro@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: 7" round E-Code lights for your SA Grill or pre-'86 Vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Ladies and Gentlemen: (This e-mail best viewed as html rather than plain text)
Matthew Pollard and I have spent the last couple of weeks researching new E-Code headlight options for our new SA grills, and intended to organize a group purchase of a "turnkey" solution for lamps, bulbs, relays, and even an OEM VW switch for the inner driving lights. Well, after doing a lot of research and getting price quotes from a variety of vendors, we have determined that we cannot get a much better deal than the one being currently offered by a couple of List Vendors
Here is the "Kit" that we had envisioned:
a.. Pair of Bosch E-code reflectors with "city lamp"
b.. Pair of 55w/60w or 80w/100w H4 bulbs
c.. Pair of 5w "city lamp" bulbs
a.. OPTIONAL: Three Bosch dual-terminal relays (one for the high beam circuit, one for the low beam circuit, and one for the driving lights)
VENDORS:
From David Marshall at http://www.fastforward.ca/Lights/default.htm , this setup will run you about $80 based on the current special he is running on the web site. NOTE: he will be ordering the units from Germany, and it will take FOUR TO SEVEN WEEKS for the order to arrive. These lamps have the City Lamp feature.
Ken Wilfy at www.vanagain.com sells the same Bosch E-Code lamps for about the same price, but without the "city lamp" holder. http://www.vanagain.com/search.asp and search for product ID 0301600118 $79 for the kit.
Bus Depot sells a Hella light kit without city lamps for about $55 per side (Item 938 874 ) as well as very inexpensive "knock-off" E-code reflectors and bulbs for about $35/pair with bulbs (item HQ6014 ). The latter are made in India, I believe. I wouldn't personally recommend the them, based on comments I have received.
Daniel Stern Lighting offers Cibie lights with the city lamp bulbs. They are considered by some to be superior to the Bosch units, but they are considerably more expensive ($55 each without bulbs) The total "kit" outlined above will run you about $160 from Daniel Stern Lighting. http://lighting.mbz.org/prices/
APPLICATION:
These light "kits" will work for any Vanagon using the South African Grills which are sold by various list vendors, and are part of the group purchase being conducted by Bill Kasper. In addition, these would be very nice upgrades for any pre-'86 round light Vanagon. Note that the third relay is NOT required unless you want to run a set of driving or fog lights. The E-Code lamps offer a superior beam pattern over the US-spec "DOT" lamp reflectors, and also allow you to have more choices of H4 bulbs in various wattages. If you choose to go with the 55w/60w bulbs, you will not need to use the relays (the stock wiring will handle the load) However, performance will be much better with the use of relays, since the lights will receive full voltage straight from the electrical system and not via the switch (it will also keep the switch from burning out). If you choose higher wattage bulbs, YOU MUST use heavier guage wiring and relays. The job to rewire the lights is fairly straightforward and can be done with wire cutters, a sharp knife (for stripping insulation), solderless terminals, and a crimping tool. You can also certainly solder the connectors (which I plan to do).
SWITCH:
Also, there is a nifty "factory" VW auxilliary light switch that mounts in your dash right below the emergency flasher switch. There are three parts in the assembly, which is available at VW dealers.
Rocker Switch 251 941 535 16.27
Bulb holder 141 957 397A 1.62
Bulb N 017 751 2 0.79
-OR-
"Fog Light Switch Kit, Vanagon Genuine VW!" - ZVW 123 251 $15.95 from The Bus Depot
DISCLAIMERS:
a.. You supply your own wiring. There is a nice diagram and instructions at http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/how_to/relays/
b.. Matthew and I have nothing to do with this other than doing some research and making suggestions. We are not recommending one particualr vendor over another, nor do we stand to gain anything financially (or otherwise) from this transaction.
c.. Please feel free to p-mail me if you have questions about this e-mail, but contact the chosen vendor if you have product-specific questions
d.. The opinions expressed here are based on non-scientific research, heresay, and a tad of empirical evidence. Please form your own judgement.
e.. Currently, E-Code lamps are technically "illegal" in the USA and are not compliant with DOT certification. The speed limit is also 55 on many interstates, and you shouldn't talk with your mouth full of tuna sandwich.
f.. Caveat Emptor
Cheers, and let the buying begin!
Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA
