Date:         Tue, 2 Sep 2014 22:19:35 -0400
Reply-To:     KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: Headlights
In-Reply-To:  <BAY406-EAS35522E94670DA23984704BFA0C40@phx.gbl>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

Dennis covers some aspects. I’ll add to his comments. 

Adding high wattage bulbs is almost certainly your worst choice. You are dealing with old wiring, in addition to (most likely) old headlight housings. Even with relays, the old wiring in your bus just isn’t designed for more than the standard 55 watt bulbs. Using relay allows you to bypass sending the current through the difficult to obtain headlight switch and prevent you from melting that, but the rest of the wiring is still 23 years old, at best. 

Regular round sealed headlights are actually very good, and much better than the rectangular DOE headlights on our Vanagons. The Eurospec rectangulars were much better, but have a very sharp cutoff, which some people do not like. Even the eurospec round headlights can have a very sharp light cutoff, which makes some people uncomfortable. 

If you can afford the price, and can source the round headlight aiming assembly, the South African Round Headlight grill/lights with standard sealed beam round headlights are your best choice. 


On Sep 2, 2014, at 9:39 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

> A number of folks have mentioned upgrades and many of them work well. The
> first problem you have is that you existing headlight assembles are shot.
> The lenses are pitted on the outside from road stuff and speed and the
> reflectors even if they "look" OK no longer do what was designed. Simply
> replacing them will do wonders. Unfortunately they are no longer available.
> Neither are the European versions.
> 
> Installing high power bulbs just increases the brightness of the poor light
> distribution and even if you don't get flashing light complaints from
> oncoming drivers those you follow can also be annoyed at the bad light
> pattern. Going to the earlier round lights with standard wattage, high
> performance bulbs is a good choice. The South African grill and lighting is
> a great choice if you do a lot of driving where you need really good high
> beams.
> 
> Dennis
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Maureen
> Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2014 5:55 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Headlights
> 
>> 
>> Hi folks, I'm looking for advice on headlights. Mine are dangerously dim
> at night, can I just put in new higher power bulbs or do I need to install a
> whole kit including new wiring? I have a '91 Vanagon.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Maureen
>>