What Halogen Headlamps?

[ChasR]

I'm asking far too many questions but then I am indecisive...

Anyway, I have an MGB with sealed beams and I figured that I may as well get new lights for my brown car to spruce up the front of it. The original lights are on that car, and should be an improvement over the sealed beams, especially with new/decent bulbs in them).

However, I am a little stuck when it comes to getting the lamps. I was thinking of the Cibie 7" without Pilot lights (Both are Chrome bumpered in terms of light configuration, so the sidelight is next to the indicator) from here:

www.cars-gb.com/cibieclassic.htm

However, I have heard that whilst the main beam with good bulbs like Philips Xtremes/Osram Superstars is fantastic, the dipped beam is a mixed blessing depending on who you talk to.

Alternatively I could go with the tried and tested Wipac Quads which are meant to be a good all rounder.

I guess I favour the Cibies but considering some Retro guys have changed headlamps a good few times, what would you go for? .

[Team Blitz]

Chas, I'm not sure where you're going with all this.

If it is helpful, round sealed halogens are like $8 to $12 here from Phillips or Wagner, no BFD. Why don't you hop over to the local parts factor and pick up a set and stick them in? They are direct replacement wattage.

Now if you're going to do aircraft landing 300W field-burners, that's a horse of a different feather.

Norm

[kabman]

You mean you want extra lights or just to replace the sealed beams with halogens? If it's the latter just get some Landrover Defender or late Mini lights. They're easy to get, they're dirt cheap and they are a straight swap. In fact I'd be amazed if every MG specialist didn't already sell them.

[ChasR]

I wish to replace the sealed beams with Halogens. The MG Fellas tend to stock the Wipac Units. I figured I would put the Halogen lights onto the White 'B and the new items onto the Sebring, as I remember my Midget lights (which were sealed) as being appauling, and with even my mate joking that I had sidelights on LOL, hence I thought that I would look at if there were any particular brands that are better than others.

[Team Blitz]

There is no detectable difference in quality between sealed beam halogens and old-style multi-piece halogen conversion lamps. I have had Hellas back to back with GE or Phillips or Wagner of the *same* wattage. Other than crystal pattern, no difference to my eyes. I had hoped you'd find the info helpful, because the solution is practically pennies.

[jrevillug]

I've never been able to find Halogen Sealed Beams in the UK - I can find ones made for the states, but it's a much bigger market.

I've heard that the Wipac Quadoptic give quite a good beam pattern, but don't last terribly long (the reflector corrodes) but that Cibie lights are the dog's dangly bits - they give a superb beam (both dipped and main) and last well.

IMHO, '+40%' bulbs aren't worth spending the money on. They filter the light produced by a standard Halogen bulb and therefore reduce the amount of light available. The higher output claims are based on the colour temperature of the light, with the colour supposed to be closer to that of daylight. However, I prefer the beam colour of standard Halogens to that of aftermarket 'uparated' bulbs.

Of course, there is no point in fitting halogen lights unless the bulbs are fed the correct voltage. The thin wire used in production cars, combined with corrosion in the earthing points and connections reduces the voltage at the bulbs, making them dim. Thick wire, multiple relays (one for main beam and one for dipped beam, for each light - so 4 in total) and decent earths are essential to making the most of the headlights that you have. I did this on a car with sealed bemas and it made a huge difference, even without the halogen conversion.

James

EDIT - Cars-gb is the best price I've found on Cibie lights, and the delivery charges aren't steep, either.

[ChasR]

Cars-GB was a link given to me by a mate. I know from previous Cibie lights that they last ages, but I though I'd see what else there is on offer.

As said, I've never seen halogen sealed beams over here, just the normal sealed beams, where sidelights can be as bright as them these days. As said, my Midget was appauling with new items, despite a new stalk and slight rewiring of the car.

For the lights I have a plan. Because the stalk carries most of the current on the MGB, I was going to install a relay to get by the stalk current problems (they can get quite hot), and often burn out their connections (this hasn't happened in either of the MGBs, but they have got dirty before, and the Midget burned through it's connections resulting with a nice mini dash fire. Lord knows why BL didn't use relays, even my VW Beetle had them (that also had Halogens and dual circuit brakes too surprisingly (1970 car), but then it was basic as anything.

[<Type desired username here>]

I converted to halogens on my Mini. I found sealed beams rubbish!
Anyone who does MOT tests will know the beam pattern from sealed beam units is best described as vague wheras Halogens (using H4 type) bulbs have a nice relatively crisp pattern.

As far as what make to buy is concerned I'd recommend buying the cheapest kit you can and spending a bit more on the bulbs. Bulbs make the conversion, not the lens.
Its like Hifis. It doesnt matter how much the amp was, if you have curse word speakers...