Thread: Spotties

Crump, what model , air con??
All those lights add up to almost 40 AMPs.
How big is your alternator ? If less than 85 amps you will struggle and the life of the alternatior will be shortened. But these days its hard to have high beam on for long anywhere but the real boonies.
You have to add up all the watts of the dash lights, taillights, fuel pump , aircon blowers etc etc.
Regards Philip A

Def TD5 03, yes has aircon etc, problem is I live in the REAL BOONIES(inland QLD) so I need good lights and as much of it as possible.I regularly miss and occasionally hit Roos on my driveway on the way to work. Alternator is standard, how many amps does it put out, and how do I convert watts to amps? There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.

amps=watts divided by 12.
Look on the alternator. I would think a D2 would have at least 85 maybe 100. BUT they also have much more electrical drain than earlier cars.
So you may be OK. In your position I would get a digital volt meter ($30 from Jaycar) and have a look at your operating voltage with and without lights on. If it declines with them on it is bad, and if it falls much below say 13.8 Volts it is bad.
Regards Philip A

crump,
Check your owners manual as that should state what size the alternator is.
Mines a TDI so can't tell you from mine!!!

Cheers Gaz

Does more lights equal more daylight, perhaps you should be increasing you quality of lights rather than bunging more electrical load on ?

Not saying lightforce aren't any good, just saying not so long back drivesafe mentioned he had 55w Phillips globes in his vehicles fullbeam lights and perform much better than 100w globes for less current demand. Might be worth considering as two sets at 55w/globe would give more light than one set at 100w/globe.

Alternatively, leave the lighting alone and up the rating of the bullbar. Think of it as.... adding to "survival of the fittest."

Thanks Hellspawn, beat me to the gun.

Hi Crump, it may pay you to look at globes but if you are only adding a total 4 driving lights to the vehicle you should be OK because your alternator should handle it, but there are other things to consider like if you are using batteries when you go away and plan to charge them while you drive, you will have to factor the additional current load into your total current draw.

One suggestion is if you want the second set of driving lights, then install them and fit the low wattage high out put globes in just the second set.
Mind you, if you do it this way, I’ll lay money you will change the globes in the first set after you see the results.

Cheers

This will start something.
"High output" bulbs are not high output at all.
They only have a higher colour temperature than normal bulbs. the amount of lumens is the same but looks brighter because the human eye sees higher colour temperatures better (supposedly)
While I have found them to be apparently brighter in the light patch, to me they do not throw further.
Philips etal can advertise them as high output because the colour temperature is the same as a 100W bulb. That is why they are blue.
Its a con.
A 100w bulb throws more lumens and appropriately adjusted will throw light much further.
Regards Philip A

Spot on PhilipA :!: 8O
Ahh, another person schooled in the black art of electricity verses light.
The answer here is to ensure you have enough Power available (VoltAmps) then load the car to 70-80% of this; 60-70% if, as already stated, you need to charge batteries as well.
When choosing globes it is important to read the fine print in the specs for terms like 'reflectivity', and 'efficiency' and 'projected candle power'. The fact is good well engineered reflectors and globe construction is all important when trying to coax 'more lumens to the front'. 8)

Regards
Ralph