Date:         Tue, 12 May 1998 20:15:07 EDT
Reply-To:     Kim <Kim@AOL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Kim <Kim@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: another angle on high-wattage headlight bulbs
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

In a message dated 5/12/98 8:10:35 PM, raven@halcyon.com writes:

>Aesthetics aside, the round lights outperform the rectangular lights hands
>down. The poor performance of the rectangular lights (especially the low
>beams) is why there are so many threads about using higher wattage bulbs.
>

This is again, a similar thread to what is discussed on Corrados. The truth is
(at least in Corrados, and I don't doubt true with Vanagons too) is that it
isn't the WATTAGE, so much as the distribution of the light produced.
Typically, the European spec headlamp assemblies do a better job of
distributing the light than the sealed beams or America specs headlamp
assemblies.

Higher wattage has the disadvantage that you may need a more powerful
alternator, they can drain your battery faster, burn out your wiring and
switches, and blind people who have to drive in front/towards your vehicle.
They also aren't legal on the streets.