Headlamp Converters
Discussion
We're going to be in Europe the same weekend as Le Mans and we're wondering about headlamp converters.
Where is the best place to buy these things and do most people actually bother? I've looked at the likes of Halfrauds and they want £8.00 for what is basically a strip of sticky plastic
- Where else can one buy such things a bit more cheaply or is actual sticky back plastic a better option?
The other question of course is do people actually bother using them at all? I have heard plenty of stories on various forums that many people have been stopped and had everything checked except the converters.
I have my hi-vis vest, warning triangle, GB sticker and all my documents ready to go. Is there anything else except the converters that I'll be needing?
Where is the best place to buy these things and do most people actually bother? I've looked at the likes of Halfrauds and they want £8.00 for what is basically a strip of sticky plastic
- Where else can one buy such things a bit more cheaply or is actual sticky back plastic a better option? The other question of course is do people actually bother using them at all? I have heard plenty of stories on various forums that many people have been stopped and had everything checked except the converters.
I have my hi-vis vest, warning triangle, GB sticker and all my documents ready to go. Is there anything else except the converters that I'll be needing?
Edited by v15ben on Thursday 28th May 10:33
Some cars have an adjuster you can use to swap the headlights without needing stickers and crap.
Easier to get to on some cars compared to others, but RTFM and see if that's an option. Certainly for modern cars with big plastic headlight covers I'd imagine this is likely to be an option.
That said, it's something you should do IMO. There's nothing more annoying than driving around on a dark night being blinded by someone who hasn't sorted their headlights out.
madbadger said:
Insulating tape.
Just stick some on randomly on the left side of the lenses.
I like your style! Been going to LM for 15 years and never bothered before but am thinking of ensuring I'm more legal this year and was wondering how to do this on the Tuscan. Think I'll follow your leadJust stick some on randomly on the left side of the lenses.
Park the car facing a nearby wall at night
Turn on the headlights and observe the dipped beam rising to the left
Hold a piece of aluminium tape just away from the headlight
Wiggle it about until the beam is flat and does not rise to the left
Apply said tape in that position and maybe a bit more to mask out any stray bits but try not to lose more light than necessary
Job done
And whoever said it is a PITA being blinded by lazy buggars who can't be bothered was dead right.....
Turn on the headlights and observe the dipped beam rising to the left
Hold a piece of aluminium tape just away from the headlight
Wiggle it about until the beam is flat and does not rise to the left
Apply said tape in that position and maybe a bit more to mask out any stray bits but try not to lose more light than necessary
Job done
And whoever said it is a PITA being blinded by lazy buggars who can't be bothered was dead right.....
I've been busted twice in the last couple of LM runs in the Vette, and neither time have the gendarmes looked for headlamp changers, boxes of spare bulbs, red triangles or any of the other stuff we are always told to take. I have also taken 'ordinary' cars to France and stuck small bits of insulating tape on the lens (bottom left-ish) and never had a problem.
Obviously it's at your risk, but I wouldnt worry about getting pukka deflectors. Spend it on beer...
I would keep sufficient hi-viz jackets in the car for the driver and all passengers though, as apparently they will be checking for them this year.
Obviously it's at your risk, but I wouldnt worry about getting pukka deflectors. Spend it on beer...
I would keep sufficient hi-viz jackets in the car for the driver and all passengers though, as apparently they will be checking for them this year.
lowdrag said:
i did a count on Brittany Ferries last year. On my deck I counted 56 cars and five had the converters.
Like I said before, with a lot of modern cars it's not necessary to use tape of the sticky deflectors because the headlights can be adjusted by either flicking a lever, rotating the headlight unit or some other mandraulic method. For example, my barge is 20 years old and you can do it in about 5 mins.b
ks to that. They weren't concerned about the lack of headlight deflectors when I got caught for 140mph.
And also its worth knowing that your headlights are xenon and so don't follow the normal beam pattern of halogen lenses. To be 'correct' you'd have to get Renault to convert them to LHD.
ks to that. They weren't concerned about the lack of headlight deflectors when I got caught for 140mph.And also its worth knowing that your headlights are xenon and so don't follow the normal beam pattern of halogen lenses. To be 'correct' you'd have to get Renault to convert them to LHD.
To add to polarbert's post about xenons, different manufacturers will tell you different things, VW for instance say the xenons on my Lupo DO NOT require adjusting for Europe, but I've heard Golf owners say they have been advised to get the dealer to do it.
I lived in France for a few years and never, not once, were the gendarmes in the slightest bit concerned and I can think of only once instance where another car flashed.
I lived in France for a few years and never, not once, were the gendarmes in the slightest bit concerned and I can think of only once instance where another car flashed.
re. the original question if anyones bothered...tesco do a little kit with converters, gb sticker, and a spare bulb set for those of us with poverty spec headlights, was only about £7 for the lot IIRC...not too bothered about being lega, just can't be bothered with the french police finding any excuse they can to fine me...
I used insulation tape in the past on a car with polycarbonate headlamps for a fortnights holiday - probably did 3 or 4 nights of diring with the lights on. Got back to blightly and removed the tape, only to find the plastic had lots of small cracks around the outline of the tape when there must have been a big difference in the temp! Fortunately it was a works car and they didn't notice it when it got returned!
As for this year my understanding is that if you've got a modern car where you can adjust the headlamp beam hight via a switch on the dash - just put it on the lowest height setting and you shouldn't blind oncoming drivers...
As for this year my understanding is that if you've got a modern car where you can adjust the headlamp beam hight via a switch on the dash - just put it on the lowest height setting and you shouldn't blind oncoming drivers...
Another point if you've got xenons. My Focus hand book says to get the dealer to do it. But on further investigation, all you do is open the lamp and flick a lever.
The only reason it says get a dealer, is that the headlamp is sealed with one torx screw, which no non-main dealer superfranchise could possibly own
Anyway, having discovered I can easily do it myself, I duly did. All the lever does is lower a shutter to cut off the kick-up on the left. This does stop the dazzling, but renders headlights dangerously useless. So it's either dazzle oncoming motorist, or crash into a French hedge at the first bend I come to.
The only reason it says get a dealer, is that the headlamp is sealed with one torx screw, which no non-main dealer superfranchise could possibly own
Anyway, having discovered I can easily do it myself, I duly did. All the lever does is lower a shutter to cut off the kick-up on the left. This does stop the dazzling, but renders headlights dangerously useless. So it's either dazzle oncoming motorist, or crash into a French hedge at the first bend I come to.
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