Chimeara headlight reflectors
Discussion
Ok, I am new to the TVR scene and just purchased a fantastic 1997 Chimeara in yellow with just 33K on the clock. Although I have had it a few months, I havnt been out in it much due to the bad weather. I have been under the car and rubbed down the outriggers and inspected everything and all is well.
The only thing I can find wrong with the car is the head lamp reflectors are pitted and give poor light. I can get hold of new ones but at £75 each this seams excessive for what they are. Having read this forum I see that these are Scania lights and I have made inquiries without much success. Can anyone tell me of a supplier that would charge less or anyone know a rough price to have them re-chromed? I would also be interested in good second hand reflectors. Thanks.
The only thing I can find wrong with the car is the head lamp reflectors are pitted and give poor light. I can get hold of new ones but at £75 each this seams excessive for what they are. Having read this forum I see that these are Scania lights and I have made inquiries without much success. Can anyone tell me of a supplier that would charge less or anyone know a rough price to have them re-chromed? I would also be interested in good second hand reflectors. Thanks.
Make yourself a cuppa (or two) and have a read of this thread. It starts off as an led conversion but there is some very informative stuff regarding the reflectors too.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
denbydalepieman said:
Good idea but what about the side lights? One reflector must be worse than the other and is quite evident on side lights!
If you need sidelights when driving, then you need headlights IMHO. I was drving in the gathering gloom at 3pm yesterday, and the odd car on sidelights was quite tricky to spot against all the headlights. Leaving them on when parked, fair enough, but so long as you have some light.....I am not for one second suggesting that brighter bulbs are better than perfect reflectors. But they are a darn sight quicker, cheaper and easier to fit.
My corroded reflectors reduced the light so far as to make driving along a twisty A road at night, oncoming traffic dazzling me on my right, a straight drop into the river on my left, somewhat scary.
Looking for new reflectors I came across brighter bulbs and tried them - result! I now have enough light to see well, as much light as with the projector lights on my Saab.
My corroded reflectors reduced the light so far as to make driving along a twisty A road at night, oncoming traffic dazzling me on my right, a straight drop into the river on my left, somewhat scary.
Looking for new reflectors I came across brighter bulbs and tried them - result! I now have enough light to see well, as much light as with the projector lights on my Saab.
denbydalepieman said:
I am just a little concerned about it passing the mot as the O/S side light is normal and the N/S is like a tea light candle. I guess it is a good idea to test the voltage first or swap the bulbs over to see if the fault moves?
If you are going to the hassle of changing the sidelight bulbs over, why not try a new pair of brighter sidelight bulbs (there must be some available) instead of swapping your existing ones over? 75% of the cost/effort is in getting the wheel off (not totally necessary, but a darned sight easier), getting the access panel off, and the bulbs out/in again. And whist you are in there, do the head light bulbs too.
I started my brighter head light bulb campaign with Osram Nightbreakers, which are available from shops everywhere and claim to be 80% brighter.
Noticeable improvement on standard bulbs while still being 60/55 Watt.
Then I had a blown bulb late one afternoon when 70 miles from home, so needed a replacement bulb before driving home.
So I popped into the nearest car spares place and the only brighter bulbs they had were the Ring 120% ones, still 60/55 watt.
Night and day. I had thought the Osram ones were good, but the Ring ones were noticeably better, so i swapped both.
Don't be tempted to try higher wattage bulbs - they can melt your wiring.
ukdj said:
Whilst you're in there I would seriously consider doing the wiring upgrade mod.
Take a feed from the alternator output via a relay using quality cable.
The difference when the bulb is getting 14v+ is literally night & day!
Wiring diagram please! Take a feed from the alternator output via a relay using quality cable.
The difference when the bulb is getting 14v+ is literally night & day!
I wouldn't know where to start.....
ukdj][meerkat]SIMPLES[/meerkat said:
you'll need to double this for high beam as well, and dont forget to use decent grade cable for the earth to the bulb too!
Edited by ukdj on Sunday 3rd January 22:13
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/H4-9003-Headlight-Relay-...
Phil
OK, so as recommended I ordered the Ring 120% brighter Xenon and fitted them yesterday. I was a little disappointed with the result expecting an increase of 120% which is over twice as bright??? yes there is a difference but would say about 20% or am I reading the expectations wrong?, however, I am satisfied that these are bright enough not to have to replace the reflectors.
As for the side lights, the one I have pulled out is 4W and a very narrow bulb which means the usual 4/5W globe glass bulb wont fit in the small hole in the holder so need to upgrade the original with a narrow LED. lots on ebay but not sure if they will fit the hole. Will update when I find one that fits.
As for the side lights, the one I have pulled out is 4W and a very narrow bulb which means the usual 4/5W globe glass bulb wont fit in the small hole in the holder so need to upgrade the original with a narrow LED. lots on ebay but not sure if they will fit the hole. Will update when I find one that fits.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff