100 w bulbs in S1.5

100 w bulbs in S1.5

Author
Discussion

Claire

Original Poster:

542 posts

265 months

Monday 12th April 2004
quotequote all
Getting fed up with not being able to see at night I have ordered some 100w bulbs for the headlights.

I have spoken to a couple of people who have fitted these on an S2 and S3 with no problem but I just wanted to know if any S1 owners have done this.

My only worry is that the electrical circuit can handle the current due to the ampage being doubled.

Any feedback welcome.

Also just ordered smoked rear lights and side repeaters and can't wait to see them fitted
will post the before and after photos when done.

ratman

103 posts

250 months

Monday 12th April 2004
quotequote all
Hi Claire. Hate to put a dampener on it but I believe they are illegal although how anybody could tell without taking the bulbs out and checking I don't know. I had probs in my S3 but went for the well documented idea of putting Vision Plus 50% better beam bulbs in and I have to admit it has made a significant difference. The other problem is the connectors themselves getting corroding and affecting the light so next step is to replace the connectors for the headlight circuit with waterproof ones. Regards Ian.

Claire

Original Poster:

542 posts

265 months

Monday 12th April 2004
quotequote all
Yes I heard they are illegal but I think I will take my chances - at the moment I am mostly driving with full beams on - no one seems bothered if I forget to dip them I never get flashed.

I followed Shnozz for a few miles the other week in the dark with full beams on - I apologised when we stopped and he said he hadn't noticed. Which goes to show how bad they must be.

Fingers crossed I don't get a pull for the 100w bulbs but my real concern is melting the electrics. Guessing I will need to change the fuse but will the alternator be man enough ?

RichardR

2,892 posts

269 months

Monday 12th April 2004
quotequote all
ratman said:
I had probs in my S3 but went for the well documented idea of putting Vision Plus 50% better beam bulbs in and I have to admit it has made a significant difference.
I went for the Vision Plus bulbs as well, and the difference was huge, especially on full beam!

If you're worried about the amount of current going through the wiring, you could always try adding the modwise kit which, as I understand it, just uses to existing ciruit to switch a relay and then provides a new supply to the lights directly from the battery.

Try a search on here for more details...

GreenV8S

30,223 posts

285 months

Tuesday 13th April 2004
quotequote all
I ran the 80/100 bulbs for a while but recently changed to 55/60 Vision Plus, they are noticeably brighter than the 80/100s were. The 80/100s were wired in properly too so they were getting full voltage - on standard cars the high current drain can cause a significant voltage drop so you don't see the full benefits from the higher Wattage bulbs.

shnozz

27,513 posts

272 months

Tuesday 13th April 2004
quotequote all
i wouldnt have thought the wiring between the S1 and the S3 would have changed considerably. I ran 100W bulbs for over a year without any problem. And yes, they are illegal, but if you get pulled in an S for having your headlights too bright you can paint my wheels chrome and call me lusifer.

Claire

Original Poster:

542 posts

265 months

Tuesday 13th April 2004
quotequote all
shnozz said:
And yes, they are illegal, but if you get pulled in an S for having your headlights too bright you can paint my wheels chrome and call me lusifer.





I will hold you to that ...

keithyboy

1,940 posts

271 months

Tuesday 13th April 2004
quotequote all
Claire, I have 100w bulbs in the V8S and the dipped beam is still cr*p, I also use full beam most of the time with few complaints. I've already talked to Modwise about their conversion (originally designed for the first Griffs apparently). I understand that the OE wiring is not sufficient to support the full voltage - what Modwise do is take a live feed from (in the case of the V8S) the starter motor and wire it from there into the headlight circuit with proper connectors etc. etc. Ive still to get some piccys to send them of the chassis so they can make me up a kit.

Psychobert

6,316 posts

257 months

Tuesday 13th April 2004
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Can't say anyone has ever pulled me to test my bulbs.. Think I might have accidentally put 100/80s in a while ago. Before I changed them back, I thought the main beam impoved, but the dip was still in Shnozz's words 'worse than a f:cencored:ing candle.

BTW, I know I owe someone one some cash, someone mail me with a total?

Claire

Original Poster:

542 posts

265 months

Wednesday 14th April 2004
quotequote all
Psychobert said:


BTW, I know I owe someone one some cash, someone mail me with a total?


YHM ... or will do in the morning when I have found my calculator ... ta

Psychobert

6,316 posts

257 months

Wednesday 14th April 2004
quotequote all
Claire said:

Psychobert said:


BTW, I know I owe someone one some cash, someone mail me with a total?



YHM ... or will do in the morning when I have found my calculator ... ta


No worries..