Better lights - advice sought

[huge_ego]

Hi - Can anyone advise on improving lighting for an MG TF (dipped beam)?

Anyone familiar with Philips Vision Plus bulbs, Ring Xenon Plus 60/55 lamps, or PIAA Super White lamps?

Also, does anyone know how the xenon-containing halogen bulbs such as these compare with "all weather" bulbs in limited viz like the rain?

Any and all advice welcome!

[dennisthemenace]

the phillips vision plus (the bluey whites ones) ive got fitted to the bike and are excellent , the PIAA bulbs ive never tried arent they the ones that cost £70+ for a set ?

[Podie]

Speaking from experience with my last few cars... I've always gone for the Philips Blue Vision ones (they're not actually blue in appearance, but give a very good light).

See www.powerbulbs.com

[huge_ego]

quote:
"the PIAA bulbs ive never tried arent they the ones that cost £70+ for a set ?"

Blimey! I've just checked the PIAA UK web site and you're right about the price. Though they do claim the brightness as close to HID. I wonder how good thet are.

[zertec]

According to Philips the best halogen system is only one third as bright as HID (gas discharge). This, apparently, is a function of the ignition of the gas rather than the gas itself. I have a PDF info sheet on HID if anyone wants a copy please e-mail me. [e-mail]

[huge_ego]

I've now checked the product review of driving lamps on the Auto Express web site. Philips came out tops ... and PIAA didn't do so well.

[tailslider]

Arn't Xenon lights the most powerful now?

[huge_ego]

Yeah they are. Unfortunately, to use xenon lights your vehicle must have self levelling headlamps (auto levelling depending on vehicle load) and headlamp wash. Or so I've been told. Does anyone know if this changes for an aftermarket fit?

>> Edited by huge_ego on Tuesday 8th October 17:18

[zertec]

quote:
Yeah they are. Unfortunately, to use xenon lights your vehicle must have self levelling headlamps (auto levelling depending on vehicle load) and headlamp wash. Or so I've been told. Does anyone know if this changes for an aftermarket fit?

You only need self leveling and wash function on dip beam - not main beam (this is why TVR offer it on main beam only). However no MoT tester has ever picked this one up on all the cars we have converted.

[dennisthemenace]

Dont HID lights require a higer voltage as well?

[TJMurphy]

quote:

quote:
Yeah they are. Unfortunately, to use xenon lights your vehicle must have self levelling headlamps (auto levelling depending on vehicle load) and headlamp wash. Or so I've been told. Does anyone know if this changes for an aftermarket fit?

You only need self leveling and wash function on dip beam - not main beam (this is why TVR offer it on main beam only). However no MoT tester has ever picked this one up on all the cars we have converted.

This question came up on another website (vvspy.com) and the general conclusion was it was very complicated and expensive. You needed the different voltages, to be legal you needed the self-levelling and washing, there were apparently heat issues (the higher voltage causing fuse blowouts I presume) and, it confused the hell out of the car's warning systems which gave constant bulb failure messages.
Volvo had been promising these things on their S60 for close on two years before they started appearing as original equipment. If the manufacturer can't get it right then I personally would feel very nervous of an aftermarket kit being reliable. Or maybe it's a function of the S60 computers and wiring getting their knickers in a twist?
But please, prove me wrong, the lights on my T5 are terrible (even with Phillips Vision Plus bulbs) and I'd love to improve them.

[zertec]

quote:

quote:

quote:
Yeah they are. Unfortunately, to use xenon lights your vehicle must have self levelling headlamps (auto levelling depending on vehicle load) and headlamp wash. Or so I've been told. Does anyone know if this changes for an aftermarket fit?

You only need self leveling and wash function on dip beam - not main beam (this is why TVR offer it on main beam only). However no MoT tester has ever picked this one up on all the cars we have converted.

This question came up on another website (vvspy.com) and the general conclusion was it was very complicated and expensive. You needed the different voltages, to be legal you needed the self-levelling and washing, there were apparently heat issues (the higher voltage causing fuse blowouts I presume) and, it confused the hell out of the car's warning systems which gave constant bulb failure messages.
Volvo had been promising these things on their S60 for close on two years before they started appearing as original equipment. If the manufacturer can't get it right then I personally would feel very nervous of an aftermarket kit being reliable. Or maybe it's a function of the S60 computers and wiring getting their knickers in a twist?
But please, prove me wrong, the lights on my T5 are terrible (even with Phillips Vision Plus bulbs) and I'd love to improve them.

No, they don't need different voltages they use a 12v feed as normal. They have a ballast box to boost the voltage up and they run at only 35w.
They are not particularly complex. As I said before if you don't have HID on dipped beam then legally you don't have to have self-levelling and washing.
They don't blow fuses or at least none that we have fitted do. The manufacturer who we work with, Hella, have got it right and it is a piece of cake in reality.

E-mail me and I'll send you a PDF file on Xenon lights.

>> Edited by zertec on Thursday 10th October 01:02