Thread: Hella HydroLux Submersible Driving Lights

Anything with a Hella badge on it is going to cost you.

Unless you have specifically "waterproof" lights the Hella, or the waterproof Lightforce units (also $$$$) they will leak water in if you submerse them. Especially if they are on at the time. Hot light, cold water and they'll suck like a vacuum cleaner!

A mate of mine had standard 170 Lightforces on his Disco and they got water in them with only short dunks. They weren't on at the time but each had about a tablespoon of water in them at the end of our run.

I don't have that problem on account I don't have any driving lights!

Did he have the breather kits fitted to the LF lights.

MIchael.

Thanks for the feedback.

Are there any other brands that I should consider? I priced the Hella's this afternoon at $500 each. The only other brands I've really heard mentioned are IPF (through the ARB guy) and Lightforce.

It might be just as effective to run 140W H4 high beams on your regular headlights and spend the money on other accessories :!: :!: :!: [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img] .

The globes are about $15ea, won't get stolen and are easy to replace. At that price I reckon they're worth a try before spending too much money.

If you buy cheap H4 globes the filaments won't last long on corrugated roads.

Originally posted by Michael2
It might be just as effective to run 140W H4 high beams on your regular headlights and spend the money on other accessories :!: :!: :!: [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img] .

The globes are about $15ea, won't get stolen and are easy to replace. At that price I reckon they're worth a try before spending too much money.

If you buy cheap H4 globes the filaments won't last long on corrugated roads.

you will need to upgrade your existing wiring to your headlights if fitting higher wattage bulbs or you will let the smoke out of the wiring, not to mention it is somewhat illegal in just about all states....

I've had a set of Hella 2000's for about 17 years ... moved from veh to veh. Top units and never a tad of water inside to concern me.

$500 per unit .... whoa!!!

Cheers

I mentioned 140W globes because I think they're the highest wattage, I didn't intend to endorse a disregard for the law ops:

On my SIII I run 80/100 H4s. On low beam they're bright, but well directed and don't dazzle other drivers. On High beam they are more than adequate for the speed that a 4cyl SIII is capable of.

If you're using 55/60 globes at the moment, you might find that upgrading the globe and keeping your lens clean will be more than you require. I agree with Incisors comments that wiring may limit how much current is available to the globe. You could wire up a relay with 6mm wire feeding from the battery to the relay to the lights, and being switched by your existing headlight wire; and see if that makes a difference. Use a fusable link instead of an inline fuse to reduce voltage drop. If this doesn't make a difference, reconnect your headlight wire to the headlights, and use this new circuit to power your future spotlights.

Having said all this, I would have thought that the wiring on a new vehicle would handle the extra current draw (but I don't have a new vehicle to say for sure).

As for the higher wattage globes, check the legalities in your state, but I think they're worth considering for extended outback touring, rallying etc.

I found the following online ebay store, located in QLD which sells lights and winches. You may be able to find a better price.
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Mr-Spotlights_W0...genameZl2QQtZkm

Originally posted by Michael2
I found the following online ebay store, located in QLD which sells lights and winches. You may be able to find a better price.
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Mr-Spotlights_W0...genameZl2QQtZkm

service is usually pretty good too i hear.