Date:         Fri, 13 Nov 1998 11:25:09 -0800
Reply-To:     AL_KNOLL@HP-ROSEVILLE-OM2.OM.HP.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Al Knoll <AL_KNOLL@HP-ROSEVILLE-OM2.OM.HP.COM>
Subject:      Headlights and R. Feinman
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; name="cc:Mail"

The eloquent Richard Feinman(n) is purported to have once said...

"No matter how elegant the theory and how eloqent the presentation of that
theory, if it doesn't agree with the data, it's wrong".

REF: the simultaneous dead low beam filaments

IMNSHO the best for US use in an H4 7" is the Cibie Z-beam.  It has a dual
level horizontal cutoff that is simply awesome in fog and snow.  Now if you
live in Phoenix or Cabo San Lucas this probably isn't too important.

Not sure Cibie makes 'em anymore though.

Second is the Marchal Ampilux.  Uses two H1 elements and has an independently
aimable high beam allowing you to customize your beam angles.  This is quite
useful for vanagons as most Euro headlights are beam directed to as if they're
mounted lower than the position one finds on the vanagon.  To wit, if you raise
the aiming point to give a really nice low beam coverage fairly far down the
road, the high beams are useful for jacklighting owls as they're aimed a bit too
high (right UncaJoel?)  So if you want properly placed highbeams aimed barely
below the horizontal, you compromize by having your sharp cutoffs suitable for
jacklighting tarantulas 10 feet in front of your van.  (right Unca Joel?).

FWIW a pair of NOS ampilux sold through the BMWCCA for 350$US.

That metal shroud in the Bosch 6" aux lights is to eliminate direct illumination
from the element (h3 or h1) so the reflector will produce a "clean" beam
pattern.  Some H4 and some capsule 9004 etc elements have a built in direct beam
eliminator.  EG all rays leaving the unit are focused from the reflector
allowing predictable beam patterns.

There are aftermarket 9004 style capsules with higher wattage.  And of course
there are limited life very high intensity H4s available from Osram, Hella, and
Philips.  I prefer a bright low beam and have adopted 100/80s for my use as
they're available in the ruggedized triple supported filaments that let them
live much longer.  There are 130/100 and 150/100 also available at $$ but the
element life is short.


For those who wondered why the banks were closed on Wednesday...an essay on
Veteran's Day follows.

The 11th was Veteran's Day.  In past years, I've sent out an essay on my view of
the meaning of this holiday.  This year's essay is a little different.

In times of relative peace, it seems other matters overshadow remembering the
price of our freedoms and we forget those distant debts paid by others so we can
enjoy today.   These veterans look a lot like the rest of us for the most part.
No unusual characteristics distinguish them in day to day life.  On this day,
for some it's different, they might be a little quieter, a bit more distant and
reflective, as memories of times and places far away pass through their
thoughts.  For some these memories have shaped their lives, for others they're
just a reminder of what our freedom cost.  For some, the scars are physical and
evident but for most they're carried inside, out of view but not out of sight.
For all there is a deep appreciation of what we have and what it takes to keep
it.   These were friends you didn't know you had.  Friends, some of whom stood
in harms way to protect your right to mark that ballot last week. Friends you
may never know.  Most ask nothing in return, some ask only that you take a
little time today to remember, some may need a hand up or even a handout and may
be too proud to ask.

Today is a day to remember the words at the memorial in Sacramento.

All gave some
Some gave all

If you have time, take a walk in the park, down by the rose garden.  This day
it's even more special than usual.  The Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be
crowded with veterans and their friends.  They've come from near and far, some
to speak, some to weep, all to remember.

If you're a veteran, do something nice for yourself today, you deserve it.

This year the essay is called...

Soldier in the rain.

It had been a long time since he heard that eagle scream.  It had rained hard

at the river camp where he and others had spent the night.  In the

drizzle before dawn, he wrapped his sleeping bag in the plastic tarp and

gathered his things.  It was only a couple of miles to a corner out of the rain

near the park.  He stumbled coming up the slippery bank and as he picked

himself up the mud on his tattered clothes brought back memories of mud in

another place, now so far away.  He wandered through downtown, but at this

early hour few noticed the bedraggled figure with his bedroll and muddy

clothes.  The corner near the convention center would be dry just across

from the park and the sun would warm things up a bit he thought as he

crossed the trolley track.  Memories of long ago were powerful today as he

thought of friends whose faces would never age like his had over the years.

The reflection in the glass door of the auditorium embarrassed him and he

stopped to try to straighten his hair and brush off the mud.  Just around the

corner, he set down his bedroom and leaned back up against the building.

The parade would be by in a couple of hours and he could warm up here

while he waited.  There was a little  bit left in the bottle and it was warm

going down.  As the commute traffic along the street next to the capitol

picked up for the morning, the sun peeked out and illuminated his corner

behind the hedge.  He remembered last year when he and his buddy had

shared the corner.  His friend had died that winter from alcohol and abuse,

this year he was alone.  From inside the tattered jacket he took three grimy

medals and carefully pinned them on.  The street was quiet now, closed off

for the parade.  He sat in the corner and thought how things had gone these

past years when he couldn't hold a job and lost his home.  Dark images from

the past had stolen his resolve and ambition and pulled him down  to where

he was today.  He could hear the parade music as they turned onto the

street a block or so away.  Wiping away some inner rain, he stood up and

gently took an old green hat out of his bag. He smoothed his tangled hair as

best he could and put the beret on at just the right angle.  As he stepped

from behind the hedge towards the street he could see the flag bearers at

the front as they marched toward him.  The sparse crowd at the curb moved

aside as he approached.  When the flag drew close he snapped to attention

and held a razor sharp salute as it passed.  Sometimes all you have left is

your memories and your pride.  He'd made it to one more Veteran's Day.

The Veterans Administration estimates there are over 250,000 homeless

veterans in the land of the free this winter.

al