Bulbs/Lamps

Author
Discussion

V8Dom

3,546 posts

201 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
quotequote all
just come accross this

anyone have any thoughts

are ours the 70mm or 90mm units

looking at this.. the same unit has low and high... so we could have 3 main beams instead of two...

http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/default/aux...

V8Dom

3,546 posts

201 months

confusionhunter

448 posts

221 months

Saturday 3rd January 2015
quotequote all
Hiya,
That video is looking at the beam patterns of HIDs in Reflector type headlights which is dangerous and unacceptable and I agree with the conclusions. OEM HIDS use Projector style lamps, which are similar to the ultima lamps. I've previously converted 2 other sets of VW and Audi halogen projector lamps to HIDs successfully and passed MOTs at multiple test centres. Do Projector lamps are clearly the right way forward.
For the Ultima:
I did not change the ultima lamp its self, but bought the appropriate H7 bulb which (whether by design or fluke) has a similar light source to the H7 Halogen lamp thus produces a good beam pattern. However as discussed I feel the projector unit in the VW/Audi units are better. I think installing those would be a 'nice to have' improvement. Im also keen to see what comes of LED technology! smile

The kits comprise of a ballast and a bulb, you simply install the bulb to the headlamp and connect to the ballast and the cables that did go to the halogen bulb go to the ballast pack. It really is as simple as that! smile

I'm liking the idea of the bi xenon dipped lamp (which means it will do full beam too!). That would be ideal but I cant imagine those will be cheap! 450 dollars each?
http://www.discountfleetsupply.com/hel009997021.ht...

Edited by confusionhunter on Saturday 3rd January 11:07

V8Dom

3,546 posts

201 months

Saturday 3rd January 2015
quotequote all
hi
thanks. so which unit out of which audi do you suggest?

confusionhunter

448 posts

221 months

Sunday 4th January 2015
quotequote all
I would imagine any Audi projector lamp might do All A3s between 2000-2002, and obviously any xenon headlights, however I've never had one apart to see how it might adapt them. The renault laguna ones are also made by the same manufacturer (Valeo) so I think FC is off looking for some of them to butcher as they are significantly cheaper than audi items 2nd hand....

V8Dom

3,546 posts

201 months

Sunday 4th January 2015
quotequote all
confusionhunter said:
I would imagine any Audi projector lamp might do All A3s between 2000-2002, and obviously any xenon headlights, however I've never had one apart to see how it might adapt them. The renault laguna ones are also made by the same manufacturer (Valeo) so I think FC is off looking for some of them to butcher as they are significantly cheaper than audi items 2nd hand....
like to know which ones please FC

dom

V8Dom

3,546 posts

201 months

Racing Roj

488 posts

162 months

Monday 5th January 2015
quotequote all
Dom
Are these a straight swop or is there some mods either wiring or fitments?

F.C.

Original Poster:

3,896 posts

207 months

Monday 5th January 2015
quotequote all
V8Dom said:
Hi Dom,
Not had a chance to look for correct lag headlamps, most appear to be non-projector.
The units you have found on E-Bay I'd looked at and dismissed,
However at that price they might be worth a look for main beam application only, somewhat confusingly (subterfuge?) they advertise these as right hand drive units and require you to let them know if left hand drive is required.
From the beam pattern that they show in the photo it is clear to me that there is no dip cut off, therefore the same would be said regardless of left or right hand drive.
Not sure but it looks like there is some sort of sidelight built into the shrouds.
Reading into this a bit, the fact that you need to supply the HID kit for them is also a bit suss, the whole unit will get quite hot, I'm guessing they are sold without HID kit so if they melt it's "your" kit that has caused the problem.
Still nothing gained and all that wink

ROWDYRENAULT

1,270 posts

213 months

Monday 5th January 2015
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Hi guys I use the 90mm Hella lamps with the shutter in them for high and low beam on my hot rod. Very impressive unit, great pattern on low beam with the shutter down, high beam is amassing. Certainly the Hella's are not cheap, but as opposed to a no name Flea Bay item I'm thinking that might be some additional money well spent. By the way a 27 Ford Lakester with old time style housing and Hella projector beams might raise comments. ha ha , Lee

V8Dom

3,546 posts

201 months

Monday 5th January 2015
quotequote all
dont worry Lee your at home here... ive had a 32 ford, 33 model y and 34 ford coupe... hehehehe

dom

V8Dom

3,546 posts

201 months

Monday 5th January 2015
quotequote all
F.C. said:
V8Dom said:
Hi Dom,
Not had a chance to look for correct lag headlamps, most appear to be non-projector.
The units you have found on E-Bay I'd looked at and dismissed,
However at that price they might be worth a look for main beam application only, somewhat confusingly (subterfuge?) they advertise these as right hand drive units and require you to let them know if left hand drive is required.
From the beam pattern that they show in the photo it is clear to me that there is no dip cut off, therefore the same would be said regardless of left or right hand drive.
Not sure but it looks like there is some sort of sidelight built into the shrouds.
Reading into this a bit, the fact that you need to supply the HID kit for them is also a bit suss, the whole unit will get quite hot, I'm guessing they are sold without HID kit so if they melt it's "your" kit that has caused the problem.
Still nothing gained and all that wink
the other problem i see is they look too long and will hit the tyre/ shroud


dom

confusionhunter

448 posts

221 months

Monday 5th January 2015
quotequote all
nice find on the ebay page. My understanding is that 'bi-xenon' means they do both dipped and full beam. The beam doesn't look too clear but it might be better than the std ultima unit? Might be worth a punt? does anyone know for sure the ultima unit diameter. I should of measured them when i had them out....

UltimaPanthera

17 posts

112 months

Monday 5th January 2015
quotequote all
V8Dom said:
just come accross this

anyone have any thoughts

are ours the 70mm or 90mm units

looking at this.. the same unit has low and high... so we could have 3 main beams instead of two...

http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/default/aux...
I was contemplating quite the opposite... combine the Hella Bi-LEDs with the multifunction Bi-LEDs of Nolden
http://www.noldengmbh.com/en/company/news/48-new-9... (page 47 in their catalogue, link at the bottom of that page)
With that combination you should be able to cover pretty much all your lighting needs - with just two rather than four lamps per side.

Would look somewhat like the lights on this one...
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3843/img6449copie...
but be even TÜV(/IVA?)-compliant (if you take the upper two positions - the lower two lamp positions cannot be Hi/Lo beam in my country I believe, too close to the ground).

The traditionalists probably won't approve, but I for one think it looks good.

V8Dom

3,546 posts

201 months

Monday 5th January 2015
quotequote all
Any idea on price?

UltimaPanthera

17 posts

112 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
quotequote all
V8Dom said:
Any idea on price?
I found this...
http://www.noldengmbh.de/docs/Preisliste_2014_VK.p...
page 12

UltimaCH

3,155 posts

188 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
quotequote all
Look cheaper than the ones on ebay, but you need to add VAT to the price quoted on page 12 of the Nolden price list.

V8Dom

3,546 posts

201 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
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confusionhunter said:
Ive just completed this exercise recently. I have to say the difference in the lighting is incredible,

I uprated the 2 full beams, 1 dipped to a xenon and the sidelight to a 5w LED. And fitted iridium indicator bulbs. Looks much better day and night!

I investigated the LEDS stuff but there isn't a common tried and tested product yet so I think its still in its infancy so I decided to leave it for a couple more years but results look promising! For my dipped projector lamps I fitted the H7 55w Xenon kit. Amazing. However I needed to add in a relay and do some additional wiring to make sure they stay on when the full beam is put on (std wiring cuts the power to the dipped when selecting full beam).

Check it out:

Also note the new spongue tape I used to improve the seal (and stop the inside of the lights getting dirty again). I also covered the seals once the covers were refitted with weatherproof unibond duck tape! I refuse to clean out the headlamps again!

From Memory and looking at the pics,The 2 full beams are different The lower one is H1 and the upper is H7. I bought these for the full beams (and the H1 equivalent).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005ZSUNL8?psc=...
I found the product name ironic too wink, not bad for halogen bulbs. But LEDS ideal for full beam, Xenons would ben no good for full beam as they take a few moments to power up so flashing folk with xenon full beam would be ineffective.

I think the dipped are H7s and I resed a kit I already had but this is the equivalent kit:
http://www.hids4u.co.uk/h7-55w-pro-max-xenon-hid-c...
I went for 6000k from memory.

and the LED sidelights are capped which I bought from these guys.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300593408416
I bought a load for my other car too so I think these are the right ones. Just be aware that LED light only work with the DC current in one direction so you may need to swap the wires over.

While I was at it I bought the capless ones for my number plate lights to go with my LED rear lights. The total mod makes the car look far more modern, more than you might think!


Just the sidelights:


with dipped.... I appreciate the pointlessness of this picture but the difference in the visible road is quite spectacular.


Very worthwhile mod....
Hope that helps! biggrin

Edited by confusionhunter on Sunday 21st December 14:08


Edited by confusionhunter on Sunday 21st December 14:10
just wondering how you got on with these bulbs

im about to order some and fit to standard unit(they will fit wont they?

do they over heat?

are you please with them?

thanks dom

deadscoob

2,263 posts

259 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
I didn't realise these kits had come down so much in price, I assumed they were £400ish still.

Perhaps it's worth looking at a group buy? Seems a good upgrade.....

Racingroj

488 posts

162 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
This is on my hit list so I'm very interested to see how you get on Dom.