Date:         Wed, 4 Jun 2003 10:01:00 -0700
Reply-To:     Pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Subject:      Lighting Upgrades
In-Reply-To:  <200306041536.h54FamoT001323@mtac2.prodigy.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Adding higher wattage bulbs to the DOT Vanagon is like pouring coffee into a
drunk.

The beam pattern coupled with the aiming coupled with the vertical position
of the lights with respect to the road are generally at fault.

The pattern is bad.  Adding more lumens/candelas to the bad pattern doesn't
help.

My choice as a vanagon user rather than worshipper is 7" round sharp cutoff
H4 headlights.  The cutoff when aimed properly doesn't jacklight the owls
and offers a far superior beam spread for normal driving.  The cutoff will
illuminate the rear view mirror on a low car at less than 50 feet or so.  So
be it.  At normal driving distances this is not a problem.

For dark conditions on two lane roads the high beam pattern will show plenty
of real estate including tarantulas.  Easily dimmed for oncoming traffic to
the unobstrusive low beam pattern (aimed correctly)

Unfortunately most H4 E-Code reflectors are designed for a nominal road to
centerline height smaller than 36"  This presents a dilemma in aiming.
Compromising the cutoff height with the high beam hot spot pattern is an
acceptable but not optimal solution.  The high beam is dipped slightly
reducing it's effectiveness on dark two lane roads.

On superslabs or urban split traffic roads high beams are simply not
necessary for most conditions.

The real answer is the Marchal Ampilux dual bulb system.  Unfortunately NLA
and very pricy even used.  (350$) This system has independently aimable high
and sharp cutoff low beams. Cibie had a bi-oscar and Carello had a dual H1
set in the mid 70s.  Would be ideal for vanagons.

Another aspect is maintenance.  I can temporarily replace the 7" with a
standard DOT 7" at almost any supermarket or FLAPS should the reflector
break.  Replaceable H4 bulbs allow one to motor on even if the reflector is
cracked and replace the reflector at the next opportunity at far less than
the 175$ quote from VAG.

The most important aspect of the lighting system is the pattern, properly
aimed.

p