Upgrade to Halogen Headlights
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- Minor Fan
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Upgrade to Halogen Headlights
Hi - one of my headlights went this week and Im considering upgrading them to halogen as Ive heard they are far brighter. Is it simply a case of taking out the existing sealed units and replacing them with halogen ones or do I need to do anything elase (eg upgrade dynamo?).
Thanks, Mike.
Thanks, Mike.
Mike Shipman,
Seaton, Torpoint, Cornwall.
Seaton, Torpoint, Cornwall.
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Re: Upgrade to Halogen Headlights
Yes m8, just take out your sealed beams and fit the halogens. One of the easiest jobs I've done ((although I did it the other way round and retro-fitted sealed beams) My Halogens were donated to my ex-landlords Landy for his green lane'ing)Mike Shipman wrote:Is it simply a case of taking out the existing sealed units and replacing them with halogen ones
- Scott
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The common halogen size here is 60/55w.
I don't know if the later toggle type light switches are better, but the earlier pull type won't last long with that sort of current going through them.
I don't know if the later toggle type light switches are better, but the earlier pull type won't last long with that sort of current going through them.
Scott
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/523/bo16vy.jpg]1948 Series MM[/url]
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[url=http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9625/19705bp.jpg]1970 1000[/url]
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I don't know where Scott gets the idea about pull switches, they are rated at 14 amps and changing to halogen and even if original bulbs are still being used changing over will increase the load by less than 3 amps through the switch, sealed beam units are of course the same as halogen and still within the switch ratings. I have been using halogens for over 7 years with a pull switch and NO problems.
- Scott
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It's called experience.Nigel2 wrote:I don't know where Scott gets the idea about pull switches
Been there, done that. I now fit relays to be safe.
Burn a switch out in the middle of nowhere & you're stuck playing around with wires behind the dash in the dark
![:-?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
Maybe they were rated at 14A when new. Everything deteriorates with age. The newest of the pull type switches is over 40 years old now.
Scott
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/523/bo16vy.jpg]1948 Series MM[/url]
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2484/dcp001046qp.jpg]1962 1000[/url]
[url=http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9625/19705bp.jpg]1970 1000[/url]
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[url=http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9625/19705bp.jpg]1970 1000[/url]
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Ah well - mine lasted all the way to Africa, but as the Halogens were the same rating as the sealed beams I was happy enough to have all that extra light for free.I don't know if the later toggle type light switches are better, but the earlier pull type won't last long with that sort of current going through them.
Our pull switch was only 23 years old (if you discount all the years it sat in a Garage in wales)
My Traveller is also on a pull switch with 60/55 sealed beams - has been like that for a long while as the sub looms have paint on them and the respray was approx 10 years ago (the earlier 'low rated' bulbs had different sub looms to the spade type sealed beams). This switch burn out thing certainly isn't something rapid.
However as you say - if your going to be hundreds of miles from civilisation then best to cover your rear!!
Over here, yoiu're unlikely to ever be more than 200 metres out of sight of a street light.
Ray. MMOC#47368. Forum moderator.
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where to break down next?
2013... managed to seize my 1275 just by driving it round the block![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_frown.gif)
Jan 06: The Minor SII Africa adventure: http://www.minor-detour.com
Oct 06: back from Dresden with my Trabant 601 Kombi
Jan 07: back from a month thru North Africa (via Timbuktu) in a S3 Landy
June 07 - back from Zwickau Trabi Treffen
Aug 07 & Aug 08 - back from the Lands End to Orkney in 71 pickup
Sept 2010 - finally gave up breaking down in a SII Landy...
where to break down next?
2013... managed to seize my 1275 just by driving it round the block
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_frown.gif)
- Scott
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That's right. The switch would probably last for years without a problem in "normal" use.rayofleamington wrote:This switch burn out thing certainly isn't something rapid.
I was doing around 250 miles of night driving each week at the time. The switch would last around 3-4 months before the smell of Lucas smoke would waft from the dash
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_frown.gif)
Scott
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/523/bo16vy.jpg]1948 Series MM[/url]
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2484/dcp001046qp.jpg]1962 1000[/url]
[url=http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9625/19705bp.jpg]1970 1000[/url]
[url=http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7259/nullabor25ns.jpg]1959 Van[/url]
[url=http://www.morrisdownunder.com/forum/index.php]Aussie Forum[/url]
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/523/bo16vy.jpg]1948 Series MM[/url]
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2484/dcp001046qp.jpg]1962 1000[/url]
[url=http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9625/19705bp.jpg]1970 1000[/url]
[url=http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7259/nullabor25ns.jpg]1959 Van[/url]
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Mike - it shouldn't be the case in theory, but on the last two occasions I've replaced sealed beams with halogen kits it has been necessary to have the beams adjusted. If you've a Moggie friendly MOT tester, like mine, then it might be worth having the alignment checked after you've done the job. My tester insists that I remove the chrome bezels first, which has to be done anyway for the upgrade, before he'll do the check/adjust.
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I went to install the Halogens last night - one went in OK but the second would not - it appears that the poitioning lugs on the new units (a bent wire configuration as oppoed to a solid glass lug on the Lucas and Unipart originals) holds the Halogen about 1/8" inch proud of the inner unit which means the chrome holder and consequently the bezel wont fit on.
Could I bend the wire lugs in to fit or might this do some other damage?.
Ant advice would be appreciated.
Regards, Mike.
Could I bend the wire lugs in to fit or might this do some other damage?.
Ant advice would be appreciated.
Regards, Mike.
Mike Shipman,
Seaton, Torpoint, Cornwall.
Seaton, Torpoint, Cornwall.
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Halogens
I had no problems when fitting mine and I wonder why one has gone in ok but not the other? Perhaps you have different bowls fitted? Regarding possible realignment of the beams it is perfectly straightforward as all you have to do is park on the level facing a nearby flat surface and, on main beam, adjust until the centre of each light beam is level with the centre height
of the headlamp and pointing forwards in line with the body. Then check that on dipped beam the beams drop and move to the left.
of the headlamp and pointing forwards in line with the body. Then check that on dipped beam the beams drop and move to the left.
Willie
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On the ones I used last year I didn't get that problem - I'd guess the part has been made wrongI went to install the Halogens last night - one went in OK but the second would not - it appears that the poitioning lugs on the new units (a bent wire configuration as oppoed to a solid glass lug on the Lucas and Unipart originals) holds the Halogen about 1/8" inch proud
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_frown.gif)
I doubt this will help, but some of the bent metal lugs were different sizes - have you tried it in all possible combinations?
Ray. MMOC#47368. Forum moderator.
Jan 06: The Minor SII Africa adventure: http://www.minor-detour.com
Oct 06: back from Dresden with my Trabant 601 Kombi
Jan 07: back from a month thru North Africa (via Timbuktu) in a S3 Landy
June 07 - back from Zwickau Trabi Treffen
Aug 07 & Aug 08 - back from the Lands End to Orkney in 71 pickup
Sept 2010 - finally gave up breaking down in a SII Landy...
where to break down next?
2013... managed to seize my 1275 just by driving it round the block![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_frown.gif)
Jan 06: The Minor SII Africa adventure: http://www.minor-detour.com
Oct 06: back from Dresden with my Trabant 601 Kombi
Jan 07: back from a month thru North Africa (via Timbuktu) in a S3 Landy
June 07 - back from Zwickau Trabi Treffen
Aug 07 & Aug 08 - back from the Lands End to Orkney in 71 pickup
Sept 2010 - finally gave up breaking down in a SII Landy...
where to break down next?
2013... managed to seize my 1275 just by driving it round the block
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_frown.gif)
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- Minor Fan
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Hi Willie
Yes trhey are two different bowls - the one that it fits into is the original, the one it doesnt fit into is a replacement. I guess I can either bend the lugs or file out the opening a bit wider - any thoughts?
Ray - ref trying to position it in different locations...I thought you could only install in one position? or did you mean swap the lights withone another?.
Thanks for the replies - its a bit late to go and fiddle now - will try tomorrow.
Regards, Mike.
Yes trhey are two different bowls - the one that it fits into is the original, the one it doesnt fit into is a replacement. I guess I can either bend the lugs or file out the opening a bit wider - any thoughts?
Ray - ref trying to position it in different locations...I thought you could only install in one position? or did you mean swap the lights withone another?.
Thanks for the replies - its a bit late to go and fiddle now - will try tomorrow.
Regards, Mike.
Mike Shipman,
Seaton, Torpoint, Cornwall.
Seaton, Torpoint, Cornwall.
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Hi ,
Just back from our hols and I got out this evening with my extra length self tapping screws and got the 2nd hadlamp fitted. Yippee! - it protrudes through the bezel about 1/4" more than the other but isnt really noticable.
This is the first ever job Ive undertaken on a car! - I know it's not much but I'm pleased with it.
Regards, Mike.
Just back from our hols and I got out this evening with my extra length self tapping screws and got the 2nd hadlamp fitted. Yippee! - it protrudes through the bezel about 1/4" more than the other but isnt really noticable.
This is the first ever job Ive undertaken on a car! - I know it's not much but I'm pleased with it.
![Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Regards, Mike.
Mike Shipman,
Seaton, Torpoint, Cornwall.
Seaton, Torpoint, Cornwall.