Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 09:41:03 -0800
Reply-To: Todd <dermultivan@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Todd <dermultivan@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: GoWesty's headlight upgrade kit
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Hey Frank,
Do you (or anyone?) know anything about wiring up the little driving lamps
that fit into those little holes punched in the H4 lenses? I just received
the H4's to upgrade from DOT lenses and am waiting for the lamp/socket to
arrive to complete installation.
Thanks!
Todd B
91 Orly Weekender
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 06:32:33 EST
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: GoWesty's headlight upgrade kit
Well, you can say whatever but best is to go check the real situation. I
have been making, selling and installing these relay kits, see my _Vanagon
Headlamp Relay Upgrade_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/hdltrela.htm)
website, for
years. Mine are very similar to what Go Westy offers, they are nothing new
or ingenious. I have personally checked the voltage at the headlight
socket
before and after on many vans. The scenario is always the same. 9.5 volts
before 11.5 volts afterwards. Go do it yourself and see. More voltage
produces more light. I think the bulb are 12 volt bulbs so they should be
operating
at 12 volts or near there. Yes, I agree the wiring is old and if you
really
want to do it right then ALL the wiring to and from the headlights should
be
replaced with new 12 gauge wire. BUT, this is a job most Vanagon owners
can't do and are unwilling to pay for since the results of just installing
the
relay kit and higher watt bulbs makes them happy !
Now, just because you have more light does not mean the headlight lens
is putting it where it would be most useful. The other problem with the
Vanagon headlights, especially the rectangular ones, as has been wrung out
here
numerous times is the DOT lens structure. H4 lens structure works much,
much
better. You have to try them side by side to actually see then you will be
a
believer ! My Westy now has the H4 lenses with 90/100 watt H4 bulbs, the
H3
lenses with 100 watt bulbs, my relay kit and I WILL blind you if I wish if
your coming at me in the dead of night !
Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10, 2007
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