night driving observations

[menostig]

Following a vasectomy on Tuesday, and sitting on soft surfaces ever since, I felt like daring a drive in the anything but cushioned Ultima.

First time I've driven it at night, and at least it proves I still have balls... the Mk4 headlights are pretty dismal. I reckon unlit roads with oncoming traffic are a no-go. Lucky to spot the corner let alone the apex. On the lens it says STANLEY 5126 and it looks like a standard H4 bulb inside - that right ? Anyone done the obvious first upgrade and tried brighter bulbs ?

I also noticed that with lights, a/c + blower, rad fans and TomTom all sucking current, the voltmeter sat at 11v. I assume that isn't a problem, that I'm still charging the battery and am not going to grind to a dark halt ?

cheers
Roger.

[Andrew Noakes]

You won't be charging a 12V battery with 11V. Maybe the alternator drive belt is a bit loose?

[davefiddes]

You might want to replace some of the supply wires going to the ignition switch. I beleive they were beefed up between the Sports and GTR. Also there is a known problem with the current capacity of some ignitions switches. As a precaution I replaced mine with a big 70A relay and noticed that the voltage on the voltmeter went up a bit and is generally more truthful.

For the most part these changes aren't going to make the headlights any brighter as they are all of different circuits.

[ezakimak]

I had some old seeled globes and lenses in one of my old cars (1987 model), I managed to find a replacement semi-seeled conversion kit that was the same size as the original seeled units, it was from a company called Narva I think.

Just changing to the newer design of the semi-seeled unit with 55w45w hi low combo made a huge difference, as the design of the reflector and lenes arrangement was a lot better and really focused the light to were it was needed.

I then measured the voltage drop in the wires from the battery. 13.8 at battery and less than 11 at the headlight socket. Since a lower voltage in the headlight circuit will result in a lower current flow, and that power is equal to the square of the current times the resistance of the circuit then you should check that you are getting maximum voltage at the globes.

After that wiring change I found an improvement in light again. I have since upgraded again to 120w high beam and 55w low beam filament (h4 pattern), which has proved just perfect for seeing and dodging kangaroos
down under.

[GTRMikie]

My GTR was one of the first on the road (in fact I ordered a Sport, but the factory altered the chassis to take the GTR body) The triple headlight system on this is useless on dip beam, but very good on mains. Just before I fitted the headlights, the factory sent me some replacement bulbs of lower wattage from those origionally supplied. Apparently the high wattage bulbs had melted the plastic light units in the early GTR demonstrator! I would love to fit the latest lights to the GTR, but apart from buying a new front there is no easy fix. At least my front wheels don't foul the rear of the light boxes on full lock.

[eliot]

menostig said:

Following a vasectomy on Tuesday,.

Toooo much information!