Front Head Lamps
Discussion
Have you tried using 80/100W H4 lamps ?
(instead of the standard 55/60W)
I swear by them - they make a vastly noticeable difference and I've yet to find a car where the wiring etc can't take the extra current draw.
They're legal under EEC rules and you get to keep the original looks ...
I swear by them - they make a vastly noticeable difference and I've yet to find a car where the wiring etc can't take the extra current draw.
You won't as the ones that can't usually burst into flames...
Has happened!
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
shpub said:
I swear by them - they make a vastly noticeable difference and I've yet to find a car where the wiring etc can't take the extra current draw.
You won't as the ones that can't usually burst into flames...
Has happened!
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Straight to the point! No beating round the bush! Love it!
shpub said:
I swear by them - they make a vastly noticeable difference and I've yet to find a car where the wiring etc can't take the extra current draw.
You won't as the ones that can't usually burst into flames...
Has happened!
Steve,
Don't know you from Adam but you appear to have a fantastic subject knowledge of TVRs and for that you have my complete respect. You have painstakingly put together a book on the subject and sell it with great enthusiasm (never seen it, but heard it is very good). One day I even hope to join the growing queue to get your autograph which will no doubt be very long. But fk me has anyone ever pointed out how negative you are about doing anything? Would I be right in guessing you do not work on cars for a living? The reason I say that is that if you did you would never start a job or try anything new in case it might possibly conceivably potentially go wrong. Keep up the good work, we're all doomed.............
Ivan
The problem is that I have spent too much time with owners who do not know what the hell they are doing and I see the results of someone saying oh do this and do that without understanding the full picture of exactly what may or may not happen.
I hate it when any TVR is destroyed or wrecked so I feel duty bound to point out the other side and potential risk so that people get a balanced view. Some people may think of it as negative... I think of it as being realistic and one where people can make decisions based on all the facts.
The wiring one is a good case in point. The brighter bulbs will stress the wiring as they are carrying more current than they were designed to do. If TVR did that, we would probably be the first to slag them off for not doing their job correctly. If we do it then it is alright? By doing so, the wiring is running out of spec and it is a bit like overclocking a PC. Works some times but not always and in some cases, it can kill the chip. The problem is that we are talking about a pretty lethel weapon called a car and it is prudent to be careful.
If you want to fit brighter bulbs, run an additional power cable to the lights and use the original wiring to control a relay. Easy to do and makes sure that you don't overload the wiring and that everything stays in spec.
>> Edited by shpub on Tuesday 29th April 10:31
I hate it when any TVR is destroyed or wrecked so I feel duty bound to point out the other side and potential risk so that people get a balanced view. Some people may think of it as negative... I think of it as being realistic and one where people can make decisions based on all the facts.
The wiring one is a good case in point. The brighter bulbs will stress the wiring as they are carrying more current than they were designed to do. If TVR did that, we would probably be the first to slag them off for not doing their job correctly. If we do it then it is alright? By doing so, the wiring is running out of spec and it is a bit like overclocking a PC. Works some times but not always and in some cases, it can kill the chip. The problem is that we are talking about a pretty lethel weapon called a car and it is prudent to be careful.
If you want to fit brighter bulbs, run an additional power cable to the lights and use the original wiring to control a relay. Easy to do and makes sure that you don't overload the wiring and that everything stays in spec.
>> Edited by shpub on Tuesday 29th April 10:31
www.Mod-Wise.com offer just such a kit to Upgrade your lighting circuit
David Beer (Mr Mod-Wise) often posts on these boards and if you have any queries as to whether it's suitable give him a call or drop him a line.
MC
David Beer (Mr Mod-Wise) often posts on these boards and if you have any queries as to whether it's suitable give him a call or drop him a line.
MC
Gee, and there was me thinking that they used any old wire that was available. And all the time TVR were getting custom made wires computer optimised to handle exactly the capacity of each individual component and no more. How do they build them for the price they do?
The brighter bulbs will stress the wiring as they are carrying more current than they were designed to do.
Seriously though, if you do uprate the bulbs at least check the gauge of the wiring to ensure it can cope with the increased current flow. Any competant auto electrician should be able to verify this for you.
I'd definitely be a bit cautious of doubling the load on the headlight wiring. Mod-wise suggest there is already a voltage drop with the standard bulbs (i.e. they get brighter if you upgrade the wire). If you are going to virtually double the high-beam power, you will increase both the current and the voltage dropped across the wiring. This means the power being lost in the wiring will more than double. Quick guestimate suggests the wiring could then be running at around 20W ... if that is in the middle of a bundle of wires, or wrapped in foam or trunking it is going to get HOT.
shpub said:
I swear by them - they make a vastly noticeable difference and I've yet to find a car where the wiring etc can't take the extra current draw.
You won't as the ones that can't usually burst into flames...
Has happened!
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Mine just melted and lights went out.
Just lucky I guess!!
I'm supprise at all the negativity:
If the car meets european spec it should be able to handle the current as they are the european standard.
Some people fit even brighter ones - I wouldn't recommend that as yes it could cause too great a voltage drop and generate too much heat.
My chim was still in one piece when I came in for food! and I run 80/100's..
If the car meets european spec it should be able to handle the current as they are the european standard.
Some people fit even brighter ones - I wouldn't recommend that as yes it could cause too great a voltage drop and generate too much heat.
My chim was still in one piece when I came in for food! and I run 80/100's..
I was also told by a buld specialist that the 100 watt bulbs are dont last very long as they start to break down very quickly...
true with mine. it had 100watt bulbs ( never changed from factory !!!!)
and were very dull
put normal 55s in and brighter???
still changed them now to the vision plus thingies... together with new reflectors... much bettter
G
true with mine. it had 100watt bulbs ( never changed from factory !!!!)
and were very dull
put normal 55s in and brighter???
still changed them now to the vision plus thingies... together with new reflectors... much bettter
G
Well just to confuse things mine has 100/80s in it and has since I got it at 15k. The headlights are very bright - I found out I was already running higher wattage bulbs when one went recently (first bulb in over 5 years so I don't believe the they won't last very long line IIWY).
Car hasn't caught fire yet either ... ;-) If I were upgrading from 80/50s to 100/80s then I'd probably check the wiring carefully, but since mine was fine for 5 years+ and the wiring still looks OK everywhere I can see/feel it then I'm not too bothered.
Car hasn't caught fire yet either ... ;-) If I were upgrading from 80/50s to 100/80s then I'd probably check the wiring carefully, but since mine was fine for 5 years+ and the wiring still looks OK everywhere I can see/feel it then I'm not too bothered.
Hutch - one of the Berkshire members has one - I don't know if the RO can put you in touch but theres a pic of it here :
quickycoverstracks
Sorry for any possible copyright infringement - The picture is from the www.tvrcc-berks.co.uk site.
Fit the larger wattage bulbs by all means, but check that the wiring, switches, relays, fuses etc are not getting hot. Get someone who knows to take a quick look at the wiring and check the voltage drop, hint; try a local autoelectrician's shop at lunchtime, give the lad a fiver for his trouble.
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