defender Headlight Upgrade.. Plastic refeltors how dare they!!!

[Mikes defender]

Hi Folks

Just upgraded the wiring for my defender lights. It all started with a new set of driving lights. Then i measured the voltage going to the headlights with the engine running was only 11.2 volts. No wonder they were yellow!!

So i installed 3 relays under the bonnet close to the altinator and reran a larger diameter wire, and to finish it all off a set of 100/130 globes!! I now have 13.8 volts at the globe!! worth the afternoons work!!

Just as i was putting the last screw in i found that the reflectors are crome plated plastic!! HOW DARE THEY. This is the kind of thing i would expect to find on a daewoo.

Can these reflect take the heat of larger wattage lights? or am i going to find a puddle of crome and plastic?

Are these light landrover specific? Do those "sealed beam H4 conversion kits" fit? they look a similar size?

Thanks

Mike's defender

[rick130]

They are just a standard 7" round head lamp.

Any good aftermarket one like Cibie Z beams will do the job nicely, your plastic reflectors may melt with 100w globes, let alone 130's.
I can post the Cibie/Valeo pt. # if you wish.

The plastic headlights have been standard for well over ten years now, they are nothing new, in fact does any car on the road have metal reflectors these days ?

[Mikes defender]

Thanks Rick...

Ill put the old head lamps back in.. Should still see an improvement due to the wiring up grade...

[JDNSW]

Thanks Rick...

Ill put the old head lamps back in.. Should still see an improvement due to the wiring up grade...

The improvement going from 11.2 to 13.8v will be a lot more than the improvement from doubling the wattage!

John

[Bearman]

All you are going to do with the hi wattage bulbs is anger oncoming drivers. Besides being illegal they are twice the normal bulb watage - 60/55W. If you are dead set keen on higher wattage I would try to find a set of 100/55W ones that are only brighter on hi beam - will save a lot of heartache!

[Mikes defender]

i have been driving with 100w globes in my old 504 pug for at least 7 years.

I always make sure that they are correctly adjusted so they do not shine in to the eyes of on coming drivers. I haven't been flashed with them on... If they are too bright for oncoming drivers i am sure the will let me know...

Any way. Turns out i have found a set of glass reflectors, my brother had a spare set for his mini.. he asked if i wanted a set of crome eyelids to go with it!!:):) arrr no

[rick130]

i have been driving with 100w globes in my old 504 pug for at least 7 years.

I always make sure that they are correctly adjusted so they do not shine in to the eyes of on coming drivers. I haven't been flashed with them on... If they are too bright for oncoming drivers i am sure the will let me know...

<snip>

ditto, and never had a problem as the lights are adjusted properly.
Cut off low (Z) beams help a lot here too.

[JDNSW]

ditto, and never had a problem as the lights are adjusted properly.
Cut off low (Z) beams help a lot here too.

The problems for oncoming drivers arise (on low beam) when the lights have dirt on them which scatters the light. But as pointed out above, the perceived light increase by doubling the wattage is only barely perceptible, since the eye's response to light intensity is logarithmic.

John

[Mikes defender]

The problems for oncoming drivers arise (on low beam) when the lights have dirt on them which scatters the light. But as pointed out above, the perceived light increase by doubling the wattage is only barely perceptible, since the eye's response to light intensity is logarithmic.

John

Most of the cars i come across that have there lights incorrectly adjusted are cars/ 4wds that are heavly loaded ! pointing there nose skyward!!

[JDNSW]

Most of the cars i come across that have there lights incorrectly adjusted are cars/ 4wds that are heavly loaded ! pointing there nose skyward!!

Yes, this is a problem. Another one is that with the push to use headlights in daylight, far too many people run on high beam, since their high beam warning light is too dim to see in daylight.

Worth noting that if you have HID lights they should legally have both wipers/washers and adjustment available for the driver to compensate for load.

Thirty-five years ago my Citroen had self levelling lights operated by linkages from the front and rear sway bars - a few more vehicles could do with this.

John

[scott oz]

I’ve just fitted new magnified lens/reflectors with 6000*KV HID lights. Wattage still standard.

They are a flat lens so putting on skins was simple. The lens seems to have an improved reflection to the OE on low.

While doing a little research into HID I was informed that running HID lights in cars without levelling devices was/may be illegal.

However if you buy the HID lights with low/high your OK. The low beam is in fact a standard halogen bulb. At least in the ones I got though I understand you can get HID low / HID high (different output) but again more cost.

The 6000KV is the “whitness” (new word) and refers to the Kelvin scale and little to do with improved visibility. The Kelvin scale is important for digital photography.

Anyhow I chose the 6000KV as above this you start going “blue”, increase current draw and pay more and this was of no interest to me.

However in terms of performance the HID light (high beam) is the equivalent of 130W halogen. Certainly lights up the world.

The other good thing about keeping halogen low is that when all the other whackers have their “blue” lights yellow will become trendy again. Strange how things go round.:)

[Scouse]

Can these reflect take the heat of larger wattage lights? or am i going to find a puddle of crome and plastic?I have Defender headlights (Wipac) in one of my other cars & I've had 100/130s in for the last 10 years. I've done a few interstate night trips as well as general city night driving & the headlights are fine.

[rick130]

I have Defender headlights (Wipac) in one of my other cars & I've had 100/130s in for the last 10 years. I've done a few interstate night trips as well as general city night driving & the headlights are fine.

Interesting Scott.
I've never been game to run anything other than 60/55w globes with plastic reflectors and lenses.

[Scouse]

I'm sure mine have glass lenses, just plastic reflectors/bodies.

[rick130]

You're probably right, I swapped mine out about seven years ago and just can't remember.

I was also thinking along the lines of our GU Patrol which diffuses the light too much and as a consequence has the worlds worst headlights for country driving, particularly low beam.
Poor SWMBO goes from lovely Cibie spotties to darkness when driving between Orange and Gunnedah and here.

[malsgoing130]

I put in the wiring upgrade, made it 8 years ago, used it on one vehicle and removed it before I sold it. It turned the Fenders lights from pathetic to fantastic, also put in a pair of Narva 7" headlights, with metal reflectors, very flat lenses, they dont fit the securing rings perfectly though. I think the pair cost $100 or there abouts, they came with 55/100 and they are brilliant! The whole thing is really worth while doing.
Mal

[Mikes defender]

I have Defender headlights (Wipac) in one of my other cars & I've had 100/130s in for the last 10 years. I've done a few interstate night trips as well as general city night driving & the headlights are fine.

Thanks, This is just what i have been lookin for.. ill put the other ones back in.. Even if they do melt.. there are heaps of spares around to replace them with!!

[Mikes defender]

I put in the wiring upgrade, made it 8 years ago, used it on one vehicle and removed it before I sold it. It turned the Fenders lights from pathetic to fantastic, also put in a pair of Narva 7" headlights, with metal reflectors, very flat lenses, they dont fit the securing rings perfectly though. I think the pair cost $100 or there abouts, they came with 55/100 and they are brilliant! The whole thing is really worth while doing.
Mal

Mal

The bit i can't understand is why landrover can't carry out such a simple mod can give such a huge difference.. I wonder if they have it sorted for the later models. lucas the prince of darkness and yellow headlights:)

[Tombie]

I’ve just fitted new magnified lens/reflectors with 6000*KV HID lights. Wattage still standard.

They are a flat lens so putting on skins was simple. The lens seems to have an improved reflection to the OE on low.

While doing a little research into HID I was informed that running HID lights in cars without levelling devices was/may be illegal.

However if you buy the HID lights with low/high your OK. The low beam is in fact a standard halogen bulb. At least in the ones I got though I understand you can get HID low / HID high (different output) but again more cost.

The 6000KV is the “whitness” (new word) and refers to the Kelvin scale and little to do with improved visibility. The Kelvin scale is important for digital photography.

Anyhow I chose the 6000KV as above this you start going “blue”, increase current draw and pay more and this was of no interest to me.

However in terms of performance the HID light (high beam) is the equivalent of 130W halogen. Certainly lights up the world.

The other good thing about keeping halogen low is that when all the other whackers have their “blue” lights yellow will become trendy again. Strange how things go round.:)

Sorry, but your nearly correct...

HID headlights in a vehicle are illegal if it doesnt have self levelling and washers... No exceptions (in the eyes of the law)

And H4 Hi-Lo can have a HID for both, Using magnetic adjustment of the globes focal point.

Having a Halogen Low and HID high isnt a great solution as best gains using HID is in urban environments in poor conditions (rain etc)

[scott oz]

Tombie2

You may well be 100% correct if the NSW regulations are the same in SA to NSW. My HID supplier was the one who said you need high / low not to breach the reg's but he's in VIC.

Yes I agree with you on the Halogen so my increse in brightness is probably due to the better lens (which are a direct replacement) with little parker lights if you wish to use them

[Larns]

Tombie

Do you know which ADR references the HID's and requirements? I have the ADR CD but there is a fair bit of conflicting information on HID's. If there is a particular ADR that has it in black and white I'd appreciate a referance, just so I have something to give to customers that want them fitted.

Cheers

[shinz]

Maybe I'm missing something here but I reckon that a quality headlamp unit with some Plus50 H4 55/60s in is more than enough in a vehicle like a Defender. I really can't see the need for the "melt tarmac at 5 miles" variety. If I need more open road lighting I've got driving lights to flick on (wired thru the main beams) If I needed more offroad I'd prefer a set of floods/fogs on the roof, so, where does the need for 100w heads come from. I can understand the need on high performance motors but at Defender speeds I'm struggling. Sorry, maybe I'm just lacking imagination.:(
Steve

[Scouse]

I really can't see the need for the "melt tarmac at 5 miles" variety. If I need more open road lighting I've got driving lights to flick on (wired thru the main beams) If I needed more offroad I'd prefer a set of floods/fogs on the roof, so, where does the need for 100w heads come from. I can understand the need on high performance motors but at Defender speeds I'm struggling. I have Defender lights in another type of car. I do a fair bit of night driving in it & the streamlined profile restricts fitting additional lights ;).

That's my excuse & I'm sticking to it :).

[Mikes defender]

I firmly belive that a good low beams is important when driving lights are fitted. After you have turned off your 4 X 100 watt driving lights, you need somthing desent to come back to, or its like turning all you lights off!!

[scott oz]

Tombie2

Sorry don't know the specific ADR in NSW.

Around he city I find the defender lights generally OK but when venturing out and particularly coming off high beam or driving lights I think they're lacking.

Must be getting old:eek:


From what I've seen a good HID kit may well make driving lights a thing of the past :angel:

[shinz]

I firmly belive that a good low beams is important when driving lights are fitted. After you have turned off your 4 X 100 watt driving lights, you need somthing desent to come back to, or its like turning all you lights off!!

Thats why I reckon its important to go for good quality 7" units Hella, Cibie, Narva(?), not sure about them. & some of the uprated Plus 50 type H4 lightbulbs, then you get as good a low beam as you can & still remain legal. To me, the contrast between high & low beam with crappy budget type lights is down right dangerous.
Steve