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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 08:20 PM
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Default Headlight conversion

Does anyone know of replacement Halogen headlights (both Low/Hi and Hi Beam) for a C2?

I'm replacing my headlight harness and adding relays for the low and high beams, but I would like some more modern brighter bulbs. The old eyes need as much light as I can get.

Aircraft landing lights for high beams would be acceptable also if I locate a source.

Thanks.

Uhhhh... Never mind..... I remembered to use the search function. Guess the eyes aren't the only thing old......

Last edited by Subfixer; Oct 7, 2009 at 08:28 PM.
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 09:58 PM
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The only thing I have been able to find (outside if the European type lights with replaceable bulbs) are Sylvania H5001XV and H5006XV. The XV signifies "xtravision" and is their second generation Halogen sealed beams. Supposed to be 15/20 % better that a regular H5001. Only place I could find them was on line at O'reillys, Kragen etc which we don't have on the east coast. Not installed yet so I can't comment on the range of improvement. Bob
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 10:32 PM
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The aircraft landing lights are # 4537, and are size PAR46, 100 watt, 200,000 candle power @ 13 volts. Your high beam buckets will need slight modification (notched for a tab on the back of the bulb if I remember correctly). And, yes, you will need relays! Your existing sockets probably will need to have extended wiring to connect to the screw-on terminals also.

Here is a source:

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/eca...WAGNER4537.htm

Here is a cheaper source for better GE bulbs:

http://www.bulbconnection.com/ViewSI...bulb_item.html

Plasticman

Last edited by Plasticman; Oct 7, 2009 at 10:37 PM.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:05 AM
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Consider the new HID landing lights... May not need a relay.

http://www.knots2u.com/HID%20Light.htm

Harry

Edit: quick internet search suggests a regular 5001 bulb draws 4 amps (vs <3 for the HID) It also looks like you'll need to add a ballast somewhere in the headlight bucket

Last edited by 66since71; Oct 8, 2009 at 10:29 AM.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by 66since71
Consider the new HID landing lights... May not need a relay.

http://www.knots2u.com/HID%20Light.htm

Harry

Edit: quick internet search suggests a regular 5001 bulb draws 4 amps (vs <3 for the HID) It also looks like you'll need to add a ballast somewhere in the headlight bucket
The lights feature a 5,000 hour life and run cool so they can be left on indefinitely. We stand behind them with a full 5 year, or as long as you own your aircraft warranty! Similar lights are sold for over $900.00 apiece. Knots 2U's prices start at $550.00 each!
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Plasticman
Knots 2U's prices start at $550.00 each!
I think I'll pass on these.....
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 08:09 PM
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I replaced my T-3's with the Sylvania H5001. They're a little better at best.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 09:59 PM
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Default H5001

T.B. Did you use the "XV" Sylvania lights or the standard H5001's ? Hate to think I have wasted $53.00 on a non-upgrade. Bob
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Old Oct 24, 2009 | 10:54 AM
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The headlight conversion is complete.

I replaced the Headlight Harness and added a 3-pack Painless Wiring relay setup.

One relay runs the Low Beams, one relay runs the Left side High Beams and the third relay runs the Right side High Beams.

I ran a couple of days with the old 35W/55W bulbs and the improvement was very noticeable. Of course, this was not enough.......

I'm now running Hella H4 Lo/Hi and H1 Hi beam replacements. Bulbs are 100W/95W H4's and 100W H1's. The Hella's are E-code models with a very sharp low beam cutoff so oncoming drivers are not blinded by the high wattage low beams.

Now it's like driving in daylight. Won't have any problem spotting the suicidal herds of deer on I-95 now.
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Old Oct 24, 2009 | 03:34 PM
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What reflector did you buy that's housing the H4's?

Did you consider an HID instead of the H4?
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Old Oct 24, 2009 | 04:17 PM
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The reflector is from Hella. Got them here (the bottom 2 units):

http://www.autobahnpower.com/product...and+Headlights

They come with 55W/65W H4's and 65W H1's.

I picked up the high wattage bulbs from J C Whitney.
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Old Oct 25, 2009 | 02:35 PM
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Default Hella lamps

I put Hella's in at least 20 years ago and never looked back. They are great in all weather conditions.
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 10:56 AM
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Subfixer do you have a picture of your relay setup?

Thx Mark


Originally Posted by Subfixer
The headlight conversion is complete.

I replaced the Headlight Harness and added a 3-pack Painless Wiring relay setup.

One relay runs the Low Beams, one relay runs the Left side High Beams and the third relay runs the Right side High Beams.

I ran a couple of days with the old 35W/55W bulbs and the improvement was very noticeable. Of course, this was not enough.......

I'm now running Hella H4 Lo/Hi and H1 Hi beam replacements. Bulbs are 100W/95W H4's and 100W H1's. The Hella's are E-code models with a very sharp low beam cutoff so oncoming drivers are not blinded by the high wattage low beams.

Now it's like driving in daylight. Won't have any problem spotting the suicidal herds of deer on I-95 now.
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 04:04 PM
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Unfortunately, the relays are mounted to the front of the radiator support on the drivers side. With the hood on, you can't see them.

I'll try to get a couple of pictures through the grill tomorrow.
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 04:40 PM
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Default lights

SkyGeek.com has Quartz landing lights $10.00 . Works great.
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 06:55 PM
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Great.I will be glad to see with more light...I put on a v/m to check voltage at thelights.It was only 10.4 with the motor running.

Thanks,Mark

Originally Posted by Subfixer
Unfortunately, the relays are mounted to the front of the radiator support on the drivers side. With the hood on, you can't see them.

I'll try to get a couple of pictures through the grill tomorrow.
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 09:47 PM
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"These (Hella H4) lamps are not DOT approved and are intended for performance off road or show usage. 7" & 5 3/4" round, 200mm and 4x6" rectangular H4 European Headlamps." (copied from the link)

I hope you guys putting in the watt bombs realize that alot of these lights are not street legal because they blind oncoming drivers. I thought is was just me getting cranking in my old age being blinded by so may oncoming drivers, but if this subjet is being discussed on the C1C/C2 forum, you can bet 2/3 of the ricers and half the lifted pickups on the road have too-bright forward lamps.

I apppreciate it's not fun driving when you can't see well. Just remeber you have to share the road with other drivers!
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Old Nov 8, 2009 | 03:52 AM
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Originally Posted by RDaddi
SkyGeek.com has Quartz landing lights $10.00 . Works great.
Well, yeah, but did you notice the bulb life is only rated at 5-10 hours? (aircraft landing lights aren't on very often or very long)
Their quartz versions are rated at 100 hours.
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Old Nov 8, 2009 | 06:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Avispa
"These (Hella H4) lamps are not DOT approved and are intended for performance off road or show usage. 7" & 5 3/4" round, 200mm and 4x6" rectangular H4 European Headlamps." (copied from the link)

I hope you guys putting in the watt bombs realize that alot of these lights are not street legal because they blind oncoming drivers. I thought is was just me getting cranking in my old age being blinded by so may oncoming drivers, but if this subjet is being discussed on the C1C/C2 forum, you can bet 2/3 of the ricers and half the lifted pickups on the road have too-bright forward lamps.

I apppreciate it's not fun driving when you can't see well. Just remeber you have to share the road with other drivers!
These are not DOT approved because they use a European Spec headlight pattern. The Hella reflectors have a very sharp cutoff in the low beam position. The pattern is a flat straight line with a 15* kickup to illuminate the right shoulder of the road. Like any headlight, when adjusted correctly, oncoming traffic is not blinded by the light. The cutoff, pattern and brightness are exactly the same as my 2006 Audi with factory DOT approved HIDs.

Last edited by Subfixer; Nov 8, 2009 at 06:23 AM.
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Old Nov 8, 2009 | 06:26 AM
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Originally Posted by waynec
Well, yeah, but did you notice the bulb life is only rated at 5-10 hours? (aircraft landing lights aren't on very often or very long)
Their quartz versions are rated at 100 hours.
Some were also 500 hr..... How do you get around the voltage source being 28vDC?
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