high wattage backup lamps

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by James Sweet, Jan 12, 2004.

  1. James Sweet

    James Sweet Guest

    Has anyone tried using 35 or 50w halogen backup bulbs in a 240 or 740? I've
    noticed they exist, not sure if the wiring/lenses on these cars can support
    them though. Anyone tried it?
     
    James Sweet, Jan 12, 2004
    #1
  2. James Sweet

    JohanE Guest

    I´ve used 100w headlights in my cars during the winter. Have to change to
    std 55w in the summer though, the cable connector tends to burn.
     
    JohanE, Jan 12, 2004
    #2
  3. James Sweet

    briankeys Guest

    How much of a difference is it?

    I've always thought that other driver's ultra-bright lights are distracting
    and obnoxious, as the beam literally explodes on my finely scratched (or
    dirty) windshield. That being said, if I had them myself, it would be an
    entirely different story.

    How much of a difference is it?

    -bk
     
    briankeys, Jan 12, 2004
    #3
  4. James Sweet

    JohanE Guest

    Almost double the effect, dont know how many more lumen it in fact gives,
    but my experience is that you get a lot more light in front of the car. In
    sweden where we have 6 months of darkness, good lights are nice to have. I
    also use 3 extra floodlights (100w each)
     
    JohanE, Jan 12, 2004
    #4
  5. [JohanE] (Mon, 12 Jan 2004 12:26:56 GMT):
    In norway you can only have 2 or 4 extra lights, not 3..

    Dunno why :/
     
    Svein Tore Sølvik, Jan 12, 2004
    #5
  6. [Svein Tore Sølvik] (Mon, 12 Jan 2004 14:12:33 +0100):
    Next autumn, this is going to be installed:
    http://www.speedparts.se/prod/sp_el_fjarrljus.shtml

    I hope.. :)
     
    Svein Tore Sølvik, Jan 12, 2004
    #6
  7. James Sweet

    JohanE Guest

    Because it´s Norway.... :)
     
    JohanE, Jan 12, 2004
    #7
  8. James Sweet

    JohanE Guest

    check http://www.extraljus.com/

     
    JohanE, Jan 12, 2004
    #8
  9. [JohanE] (Mon, 12 Jan 2004 14:14:22 GMT):
    Not bad.. :)

    Bookmark added, only need money now :D
     
    Svein Tore Sølvik, Jan 12, 2004
    #9
  10. James Sweet

    Spanky Guest

    Inconsiderate drivers who aim their headlights higher or install
    non-conforming extra bright bulbs are a menace to other community spirited
    drivers who keep their vehicles within the accepted regulations. They are
    too stupid to realize that the roadways are not necessarily safer if they
    are the only ones who can see.

    Back in the '70's all cars had standardized sealed beam headlights. They
    were not quite as good as some of the better modern designs but at least
    everyone could see well because they were quite good at controlling glare
    and a very high percentage of people were considerate and kept the aim
    within specs. Now we have improved lighting and the potential for even
    better safety and visibility were it not for the inconsiderates who only
    care how well THEY can see.
     
    Spanky, Jan 12, 2004
    #10
  11. James Sweet

    James Sweet Guest

    I use 100w headlights all the time (H4 lamps in E code housings), but I
    rewired it using relays and heavy wires so it works just fine, it's the
    backup lights I'm curious about, it's not as convenient to rewire them, and
    the lenses are plastic, but they're only on for a few seconds at a time.
     
    James Sweet, Jan 12, 2004
    #11
  12. James Sweet

    James Sweet Guest

    Standard sealed beam headlights are garbage, they're dim in part because
    they throw a lot of light up rather than where it belongs down on the road.
    If you put brighter bulbs in DOT headlamps you do get a lot of glare,
    however good European lamps (which that poster would have living in Norway)
    can accept much brighter bulbs without causing excessive glare so long as
    they're aimed correctly. I've been running 100w bulbs for over a year now
    and I have yet to have someone flash me, the cutoff is below the windshield
    of an oncoming car unless I'm going up a steep hill, in which case any light
    will glare.
     
    James Sweet, Jan 12, 2004
    #12
  13. James Sweet

    JohanE Guest

    Yeah in the rear it shouldnt matter. I have considered rewiring but never
    got round to it yet.
     
    JohanE, Jan 12, 2004
    #13
  14. James Sweet

    JohanE Guest

    whatta bullshit. If the lights are aimed correct the glare is no more to the
    oncomer if its 55w or 100w ( or Zenon lights for that matter)
    Come over here close to the polar circle and get used to driving in the cold
    and dark instead of wining.
     
    JohanE, Jan 12, 2004
    #14
  15. That is only true if you live where all roads are flat and straight. On
    right curves and crests of hills, even low beams shine straight at the
    eyes of drivers of oncoming cars. And, as you know, that is the most
    critical time for the oncoming cars to be able to see where they are
    going.
     
    Stephen M. Henning, Jan 12, 2004
    #15
  16. James Sweet

    JohanE Guest

    So, you as the oncomer must learn were to focus your view NOT into the light
    beem - simple as that. and doesnt matter if it 50 or 100w.
     
    JohanE, Jan 12, 2004
    #16
  17. James Sweet

    Spanky Guest

    You need to re-read my post. I have a beef with headlights that don't
    conform to regulations, not correctly aimed lights that conform to DOT
    lighting standards. Every country has adopted lighting standards, some are
    better than others but, in all cases, everyone should abide by them for the
    best safety and visibility. My beef is with the renegades who think
    everything is hunky dory just because the road is lit like daylight in front
    of them, ignoring the fact that their non-conforming headlights are actually
    creating a very real road hazard, especially in the rain or in the face of
    aging baby-boomers whose eyes cannot handle the extra glare as well as some
    of us younger people.

    Maybe your body needs a little more sunlight exposure to better help your
    brain understand simple English.
     
    Spanky, Jan 12, 2004
    #17
  18. James Sweet

    Spanky Guest

    It's a proven fact that as eyes age the problem with glare increases. The
    retina tends to be crystal clear in youth and gradually age causes it to
    become less so. This is primarly a problem if an oncoming car is directing a
    lot of light toward your face or in your rear/sideview mirrors. It is not
    only a problem if the light is looked into directly, the stray light
    reflects around inside as the eye ages. That's why we have lighting
    regulations, so everyone can co-exist on the road safely at night. My eyes
    are still clear but I know they won't always be as good as they are now.
    Therefore I want to extend courtesy to older drivers on the road and I hope
    others will extend the same courtesy to me in my later years.

    It's just common sense.
     
    Spanky, Jan 12, 2004
    #18
  19. James Sweet

    Peter Milnes Guest

    They are obtainable as replacement bulb units from IPD http://www.ipdusa.com .

    Cheers, Peter.

    :
    : "James Sweet" <> skrev i meddelandet
    : : >
    : > : > >
    : > > "James Sweet" <> skrev i meddelandet
    : > > : > > > Has anyone tried using 35 or 50w halogen backup bulbs in a 240 or 740?
    : > > I've
    : > > > noticed they exist, not sure if the wiring/lenses on these cars can
    : > > support
    : > > > them though. Anyone tried it?
    : > > >
    : > > >
    : > >
    : > > I´ve used 100w headlights in my cars during the winter. Have to change
    : to
    : > > std 55w in the summer though, the cable connector tends to burn.
    : > >
    : > >
    : >
    : > I use 100w headlights all the time (H4 lamps in E code housings), but I
    : > rewired it using relays and heavy wires so it works just fine, it's the
    : > backup lights I'm curious about, it's not as convenient to rewire them,
    : and
    : > the lenses are plastic, but they're only on for a few seconds at a time.
    : >
    : >
    : Yeah in the rear it shouldnt matter. I have considered rewiring but never
    : got round to it yet.
    :
    :
     
    Peter Milnes, Jan 13, 2004
    #19
  20. So you believe that it is not important to prevent accidents by obeying
    laws that are designed to prevent blinding oncoming drivers. Personally
    I find that the extra brightness does little to help when other cars are
    coming. It only helps when there are no oncoming cars. In that case, I
    find the high beams on my Volvos more than adequate. I live in deer
    country and good high beams are life savers and my Volvo has them.
     
    Stephen M. Henning, Jan 13, 2004
    #20
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.