Date:         Wed, 7 Aug 2002 07:41:53 -0700
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
Subject:      Re: Headlights
In-Reply-To:  <171.11be3182.2a824f6a@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

On 7 Aug 2002 at 6:24, Frank Condelli wrote:

>        Couple of things here about Vanagon headlamp upgrades.  First, is a 40
> amp relay preferable over a 30 amp relay using the stock headlight bulbs on a
> square headlighted Vanagon ?  Second, I have found 100/80 watt, XENON WHITE,
> 9004 bulbs by LIGHT GLOW @ $27.71 ea. and 100/80 watt, XENON WHITE, 9004
> bulbs, by Hella @ $51.95/set of 2, at Canadian Tire (special order
> catalogue).  Anyone with any experience using these high powered light bulbs
> in the square headlighted Vanagon ?  Wires need enlarged ?  Bulb socket ?
> Heat & Plastic problems ?  Will the 30 amp relay work with these or is
> necessary to use the 40 amp relay ?

My only experience is with my Jetta a few years back - I bought 80/100
9004 bulbs from Bowwow, along with a relay. They worked great, until
they melted the bulb connectors, followed by both bulbs failing in less than
6 months. Regular 9004 bulbs last several years in this car, so I suspect
the high heat led to failure. Rather than replace the plastic bulb sockets, I
soldered on 3 insulated spade connectors, which solves the melting
problem, but makes it a hassle to connect bulbs. I haven't bothered to try
the high wattage bulbs since.
I find the high beam on my '88 Westy excellent, but the low is awful, so
perhaps an 80W/80W bulb might be a safer choice?

Shawn Wright, I.T. Manager
Shawnigan Lake School
swright@SLS.bc.ca
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
http://www.sls.bc.ca