Dull Headlights
Discussion
I'd recommend the PIAA bulbs (got mine from TVR dealer David Hendry) as they give a good improvement in light level for a modest increase in wattage. They're a bit expensive but at least give enough light to be able to drive by.
I think they are H4, but from memory try looking at the headlamp glass, it's on there I think.
I think they are H4, but from memory try looking at the headlamp glass, it's on there I think.
see previous thread www.pistonheads.net/gassing/topic.asp?t=5912&f=8&h=0&hw=bulbs
I am now using the power bulbs and they are better and worth the £20
I am now using the power bulbs and they are better and worth the £20
H4 bulbs (standard size).
One of mine went pop so I tried the Powerbulb in that side and found it to be duller - Upon closer inspection it appeared that mine had 80/100w as opposed to the usual 55/60w bulb and they are a LOT brighter - £8 each from Halfords...
I have been told that there can be problems with the wiring getting hot etc but it appears that mine were in for over 12 months and show no signs of any damage..
Do they do an 80/100w powerbulb??
One of mine went pop so I tried the Powerbulb in that side and found it to be duller - Upon closer inspection it appeared that mine had 80/100w as opposed to the usual 55/60w bulb and they are a LOT brighter - £8 each from Halfords...
I have been told that there can be problems with the wiring getting hot etc but it appears that mine were in for over 12 months and show no signs of any damage..
Do they do an 80/100w powerbulb??
My headlamps are currently OK on standard bulbs.
However when I took it in for a service a few weeks ago one of the h/lamps was very dull, I assumed it was a duff bulb (only happened over the weekend), but by the time they came to look at it none of the lights worked! Turns out it had had 100w bulbs in it from the previous owner and winter driving with lights on lots had melted the connectors, shorting the lot!
So take care, the connectors actually melted and distorted with prolonged use, so I'm back to standard bulbs, not that I ever knew I had 100W bulbs in the first place!
Cheers,
Andy
>> Edited by crimsonchim on Wednesday 27th February 17:25
However when I took it in for a service a few weeks ago one of the h/lamps was very dull, I assumed it was a duff bulb (only happened over the weekend), but by the time they came to look at it none of the lights worked! Turns out it had had 100w bulbs in it from the previous owner and winter driving with lights on lots had melted the connectors, shorting the lot!
So take care, the connectors actually melted and distorted with prolonged use, so I'm back to standard bulbs, not that I ever knew I had 100W bulbs in the first place!
Cheers,
Andy
>> Edited by crimsonchim on Wednesday 27th February 17:25
Be careful with boosted lighting - you may be able to get away with 100w'ers but yes, they are illegal for road use and you run the risk of burning out the wiring loom....
Some people can get away with running 100w'ers, but I am afraid that there are a lot of people that can tell you bad stories.... Most TVR specialists and dealers will warn you STRONGLY not going above the standard light fitments - 55/60's.
However dont worry too much - you can use newer technology bulbs that will boost the light spread and coverage. Blue tints are slightly better, but more importantly you can get some decent increased spread bulbs that are of standard wattage....
Cheers,
Paul
Some people can get away with running 100w'ers, but I am afraid that there are a lot of people that can tell you bad stories.... Most TVR specialists and dealers will warn you STRONGLY not going above the standard light fitments - 55/60's.
However dont worry too much - you can use newer technology bulbs that will boost the light spread and coverage. Blue tints are slightly better, but more importantly you can get some decent increased spread bulbs that are of standard wattage....
Cheers,
Paul
Mine came with 'em, and has had them for the last year and a half. When I last looked at the connector & wiring it was fine. As it wasn't me that fitted them originally, I didn't have to go through the uncertainty of "will-it, won't-it" go fizzle pop. Doesn't help anyone else here, but there you go.
What this seems to indicate is that TVR probably use whatever wiring they have to hand at the time. My wiring loom was built on a good day. My carpets were stuck down on a...
What this seems to indicate is that TVR probably use whatever wiring they have to hand at the time. My wiring loom was built on a good day. My carpets were stuck down on a...
quote:
Be careful with boosted lighting - you may be able to get away with 100w'ers but yes, they are illegal for road use and you run the risk of burning out the wiring loom....
Do you know of anyone who's actually had either of these problems though? It's only 8 amps per side, not much of a challenge for the wiring. I haven't had any problems and it makes quite a difference to actually be able to see where you're going at night.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
I agree with Peter that it would be very surprising if the actual cabling used to supply the headlamps could not take 8 amps (100w bulb). Maybe any problems associated with using higher rated bulbs are because the higher current is more likely to find out weaknesses in poor connectors as seems to have been suffered by crimsonchim. IIRC, the connectors are not of such good quality and don't like getting wet?
To underline the situation, the heating effect on the cabling and connectors associated with a 100w bulb is some 330% greater than for a 55w bulb. That is why I have gone for an 80w PIAA bulb (210% increase) as a compromise. It is more expensive but is claimed to give the same (if not better) light output as a 100w bulb. It seems to live up to this claim and is very acceptable for night driving.
You pays yer money and you takes yer choice. You are more likely to have trouble if you go for the cheap upgrade when you take into account the standard of the components used and the environment in which they have to survive.
To underline the situation, the heating effect on the cabling and connectors associated with a 100w bulb is some 330% greater than for a 55w bulb. That is why I have gone for an 80w PIAA bulb (210% increase) as a compromise. It is more expensive but is claimed to give the same (if not better) light output as a 100w bulb. It seems to live up to this claim and is very acceptable for night driving.
You pays yer money and you takes yer choice. You are more likely to have trouble if you go for the cheap upgrade when you take into account the standard of the components used and the environment in which they have to survive.
quote:
Do you know of anyone who's actually had either of these problems though? It's only 8 amps per side, not much of a challenge for the wiring. I haven't had any problems and it makes quite a difference to actually be able to see where you're going at night.
I've known several including a case where the whole front loom had to be replaced. The problem is that the 100W is the average power when the lamp is operational. When they are first switched on they can draw several times that amount and this can start to overheat the connectors etc causing a bit of resistence in the connection and so on. You also get a lot of heat travelling down the wires through conduction that makes matters worse. In other words, it reduces the safety margin for the wiring system and may cause problems with some cars but not with others.
There are several manufacturers that produce high brightness bulbs that have the same 55W current consumption. These may be a safer bet.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
I'd second what Steve says. Before I embarked on fitting bigger bulbs to my Griff, I did some serious tests on voltage spikes, resistance, and maximum current. I decided the risks were acceptable, and fortunately have not had any problems. I also only get 0.5V drop between battery and bulb when all lights are on, which implies that my wiring and connectors are in good shape.
I'm confused as to why there are so many complaints about the Chimaera lights. The perspex covers on the Griff lights cause so much diffusion that even the Philips 55W xenon bulbs are downright dangerous. Compared with my 55W H1 main beams, my 100W H1 dipped beams are as much use as a couple of Davey lamps. Surely on a Chimaera without the lamp covers, a set of PIAA Superwhite H4 bulbs will offer fantastic light output.
Pete
I'm confused as to why there are so many complaints about the Chimaera lights. The perspex covers on the Griff lights cause so much diffusion that even the Philips 55W xenon bulbs are downright dangerous. Compared with my 55W H1 main beams, my 100W H1 dipped beams are as much use as a couple of Davey lamps. Surely on a Chimaera without the lamp covers, a set of PIAA Superwhite H4 bulbs will offer fantastic light output.
Pete
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