Brighter Headlights for Series Vehicles

[Phoenix]

After doing some night driving the other day I was contemplating upgrading Grover's headlights to more powerful units.

If I wasn't restoring Grover I would just get some driving lights, but i'd prefer to keep the original look. I won't be doing it now, but when money permits i'm contemplating it.

What costs are involved in doing this? and is it difficult to do?

[Mick-Kelly]

From memory you can change from a sealed headlight to one where you replace the bulbs. Looks identical from the outside and lets you use halogen bulbs. A trip to autobarn might be in order. There was a lot of talk about this on BSLRAS a while ago.
cheers
Mick

[Phoenix]

Cheers mick, i'll do a search there and see what I turn up style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[blitz]

Mick's right the series head lights are standard 6" inserts, autobarn, repco, independent motor mart etc all sould have them in stock

Cheers

Blitz

[Phoenix]

How much approximately???

[Larns]

Poenix
We meet again! Do you wanna go on a date style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif Sounds like we got alot in common.
I changed mine the other day, I got my new lights for the right price though :wink: , an then I got a set of those artic blue halogen globes to match, they set me back about $40. Work the treat though!

Cheers Larns

[UncleHo]

Hi Phoenix style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif
I am still running the standard sealed beams but uprated to HQ holden standard 50/75 watt and have no problem, as I live in a rural area so street lights are a luxury, the most important thing is to have good earths, as each and every light has it's own earth, with a series 3 or with any alternated vehicle there must be an earth from the (6mm wire) the battery to the radiator front panel, clean all of the black 2mm earth wires at their bullet terminals ($1 brass wire brush from supercheap) and inside the connectors, also if you are running an alternator with a capacity of less than 40 amps the lights and other equipment will be drawing most of the power so the lights could only be recieving 9-11volts hence weak lights, if checked with a volt meter at the light terminals with engine running all lights and radio on, brake lights on that will give a true voltage reading.
Lucas 16 ACR Alternator 34amps :oops: Lucas 11AC Alternator 45amps :? cheers style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Mick-Kelly]

Couldnt agree more, when i had the old girl i cleaned up the earth points one day as a bit of a project. Almost doubled the light output.

[Phoenix]

Radio, whats that style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

Actually, I am putting a casteet radio in soon, but behind the seats so that it can't be seen. The speakers are already installed (previous owner), and to remove them would leave HUGE holes in the seat box.

Anyway, the altenator shouldn't be too bad, as it is a holden one to go with the engine :roll:

I'll check all of those things, but I was under the impression that you couldn't change the globes because the whole unit is sealed, and you had to change the whole thing before you could change the globes. If what you guys are saying is right, then I can change the globes.

If i'm off track could somebody adjust my alignment :?:

and Lars, I don't think a date is a good idea, SWMBO would get jealous :wink: style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Antaine]

Originally posted by Phoenix


Anyway, the altenator shouldn't be too bad, as it is a holden one to go with the engine :roll:

Even so, you are still looking at something around 35 amps. Longterm a 55 amp alternator might be a good step.

If I can't land myself an original Aux. 24V Alt for mine, I'll be swapping the generator out for an 80 amp alternator.

Can't hurt to have "too many amperes" but it certainly does hurt to not have enough style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

Cheers,

[LandyAndy]

Hi Guys
Yes Series lights can be upgraded to"modern brightness" but you cant do it by simply putting upgraded headlights in wether sealed beam or QH.
Series landies have no headlamp relays so the full power for the headlights runs thru the switches,hence the problem with light switches in series landies.
The conversion is quite simple,you but good quality headlight relays(be very wary of cheap chingway brands go for bosch ets).Basically you need to wire your headlights as you would a spottie,but using your original wiring as the trigger for the relay.Peter Howards "Mustang Sally" site has excellent easy to follow wiring diagrams,or see your local auto electrician for the relays and advice.
If you simply upgrade the lights yes they will burn much brighter but on a long nite run you will overheat the standard wiring wich at best will cut your lights out and at worst cause a fire.
Cheers
Andrew

[LRHybrid100]

don't know, but this may be of use:

http://users.mrbean.net.au/~rover/headlamps.htm

WHY AND HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR HEADLAMP CIRCUIT.

LRH.

[Cul]

I'm looking at putting a set of Hella's in mine. My mate Gary here in Bundy runs them at the moment and they are a great unit.
I will look into the price ect ect for you just for reference.

I have the 2004 Hella Catalogue here in my hand at the moment, but I have no idea what the specific part number is... so thats something else I will look into.

Yeah.. these things are great... an all rounder that serves out a good amount of light and is bright enough to not worry about additional spotlights (without deminishing that "original army" look that I am trying to hold onto).
They might be a tad more expensive than a standard unit, but theres no substitute for quality when we are talking about something you will rely on.

Cul

[Antaine]

Originally posted by Cul

They might be a tad more expensive than a standard unit, but theres no substitute for quality when we are talking about something you will rely on.

Cul

What's your commission check looking like Cul? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

Cheers,

[UncleHo]

I'am just using the standard factory fitted 1968 wiring harness in "Aggie" and running a ford 40 amp alternator with my 50/75's even got the HQ parkers hooked up and running back to the original parker connector by the r/h guard it's been like that for 12 years and 143,000 miles( BUT KEEP THE EARTHS CLEAN) I brush mine every 6-9 months. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[Michael2]

H4 Pattern Quartz Halogen lenses are the best all rounders. Hella make the best and you can find them at a wreckers if you're lucky, or buy them new at about $80-100ea. Cheaper Indian made H4s are an option. I bought some Autopal ones afew years ago for $20ea and use a H4 Quartz Halogen globe with 90watt low beam and 100watt high beam. The globes are $12-$16ea. Make sure your wiring is good. Use relays with 6mm wire for battery to relay to light, and solder your connections. You'll have bright light with a well defined spread pattern and no need for driving lights. Make sure the earth is good.
-Michael2