Thread: Sealed Beam Driving Lights

Originally Posted by superquag

No wonder Kiwis are leaving the place... TWICE a year is utterly ridiculous.. Would like to know where the evidence is, that this has any effect on the road toll... Sounds more like extra co$t for the motorist in order to generate (useless) employment.

Honestly, with the amount of junk still on the road here, I'm happy to have both 6 monthly inspections and certification of mods.

It's every 12 months for a vehicle under 6 years old. I think that could be safely extended to 10 years.

Originally Posted by superquag

I've only ever seen (and used) round sealed-beam driving lamps...

That could be my problem right there. Looking for something that doesn't actually exist (again).

Have you thought about fitting a cheap set of the desired shape converted to HID and sealed with silicone. As HIDs of the same current consumption produce much more light, their heat output has to be considerably less so expansion would be much less of a problem. High voltage extension leads may be needed to keep the ballasts high and dry though.

That's what I'd do.

I'm using a very basic $100 pair of round Narvas with a $100 ish Jaycar HID kit and have the light output of some spots that would cost over $1000.

The Jaycar HIDs are not an ideal choice. A bit slow to fully light up the known universe.

DL

Originally Posted by 350RRC

That's what I'd do.

......

The Jaycar HIDs are not an ideal choice. A bit slow to fully light up the known universe.DL

Amen to that.,.. you get what you pay for. - I've a set of HID's in the Wife's mazda hi beam... the delay in reaching full - read, 'safe & useful' - brightness has led me to re-wiring so that the low beams are always on.

(triggered by the PARKING lamp circuit... when I get a round tuit we'll re-do them to come on only whilst the IGN is energised. - Became comfortable with that arrangment in my old VW Passat.)

With the HID lamps I've had, the bluer ones take longer to become bright enough.

Originally Posted by Graeme

Have you thought about fitting a cheap set of the desired shape converted to HID and sealed with silicone. As HIDs of the same current consumption produce much more light, their heat output has to be considerably less so expansion would be much less of a problem. High voltage extension leads may be needed to keep the ballasts high and dry though.

No I hadn't considered that, but it could be an option. These lights take H1 bulbs.
Also they don't get wet/muddy and hot at the same time. They are always off in offroad situations, only get used for driving on very dark nights.