Improving the headlights

[Pb3]

After having just complete 2150 miles driving around Switzerland and Italy, with a good percentage of it in the dark, I have come to the conclusion that I really do need to improve my lights (or am I just getting old ).

So my question is; has anyone replaced their bulbs with better than standard or even converted to HID (zenons). I like the idea of HID but have just watched an Auto Express clip where they talk about a large number of illegal conversions, this being due to the beam pattern not matching the HID light output and causing scatter, with the effect of blinding other road users and failing the MOT.

Also what is the buld fitment H4, H7 etc?

Any feedback will be greatfully received.

Cheers
Phil

[Steve_D]

On mine the heads are H7 55w spots H1 55w.

Steve

[V8Dom]

i spoke to the factory last week about white bulbs and 100w bulbs as i too felt lights werent too good...

Factory advised 100w bulbs would get too hot and possibly melt the head light covers..

However. ive re aligned my lights on a beam test at work(mot headlight tester) and set to 0 degrees and dip beam is now great. I then played about with both of the high beem lights on both sides and the transformation is amazing....

Get you heights checked first as that is all it could be...

Dom

[Pb3]

Just a quick update; I just replaced my H7 dipped beam bulbs with Philip XTreme +80% 55W bulbs, along with a little height adjustment. Now things look so much better, they are 100% legal and no mucking around with wiring required. Now looking forward to going out at night

[shithotfast]

Its worth checking what voltage you are getting at the bulbs. On the older cars (like mine) there isn't a dip relay, only a high beam relay. Is there one on the newer cars?

I found I was getting only around 6-7 volts at the bulbs on dipped beam.(the resistance through the switches) I added a relay to the dipped circuit and the difference is amazing.

If you are getting 12 volts at the dipped bulbs now, then a relay is already fitted.

[Steve_D]

A GTR, and I assume the CanAm, does not have a relay for dip beam.

Steve

[shithotfast]

Steve_D said:

A GTR, and I assume the CanAm, does not have a relay for dip beam.

Steve

in that case.... you wont be getting 12/13 volts at the bulbs, and hence the bulbs will be dimmer than they should be. Putting in 100wat or brighter bulbs wont help much either (I tried all this before putting in a relay) The relay will probably double the voltage and so the bulbs (any bulbs) will burn much brighter. It only took me 10 years of ownership to find this out!

[spatz]

I have installed this special factory relay for the dip lights (driving lights right ?)
It works in a way that when you activate hi beam the dip lights are disabled.
All lights that are of the powerful type have a relay when you order the factory kit.

[Steve_D]

spatz said:

I have installed this special factory relay for the dip lights (driving lights right ?)
It works in a way that when you activate hi beam the dip lights are disabled.
All lights that are of the powerful type have a relay when you order the factory kit.

Yes, I think the relay you are referring to is relay (8). This is a toggling relay which switches between high and low beam lights but stays in the position selected until the button is pressed again.

However, when the lights are in the dip position the current is coming via the lights switch and all the associated wiring which could be producing a voltage drop.

I will add this to the list of things to check as it will be quite simple to add a relay after fuse 6.

Steve