Improving Headlamps?

[edessex]

Before we start, I know a few lighting upgrades are not technically legal, but I don't want to dwell on this and turn this topic into a legal debate. At the end of the day I want to continue driving an 'older' car, but make it as safe as possible without negatively effecting other road users too much.
Now thats out the way...



As some of you may know I have an old Vauxhall Astra Mk3 (1993). It's quite an early one, and the anoraks will be aware it's a Phase 1, rather than the more commonly seen Phase 2. One difference between the Ph1 and Ph2 Mk's is the headlamps, they slightly changed them.
I've had Ph2's before and the lights are not as bad as the Ph1's.

If I've not bored you to death, the reason for this thread is I desperately need to do something about the headlights, and as many of you have older cars than mine, including actual classics, I want to know what you've done to improve things?

Last year I fitted a cheap HID kit, which I was never happy with. I removed it for the MoT, and recently refitted it when the clocks changed as I remembered/realised how useless the standard lights are. I want to change things as I'm still not happy, can't get a good beam pattern, and one only works intermittently. I've also aimed them down so far in an attempt to not dazzle other users that they don't really light up the road as well as they should. That said, even with one working, pointed down, poorly focused, its STILL better than two fully working H4 bulbs in these lamps!

I've not had much luck with super bright H4 bulbs in the past, often not lasting more than a couple of months.

I've not yet tried LED bulbs, but open to the idea.

I'm seen projector units that can be fitted to standard lamps, which when used with the HID bulbs should correct the beam pattern. I'm tempted to try these.


Main beam is not a problem to me. Dipped beam is where I have issues.


Any advice or suggestions guys and gals?

[welshpug]

are thee glass or plastic? how is the reflective coating?

[93fxdl]

Some vehicles suffer from poor grade wiring and a first stage upgrade is a set of relays and heavier wiring to avoid voltage drop. Also how about some additional lights to aid your vision.
Ttfn Glenn

[edessex]

Glass lenses. Can't really tell if reflectors have broken down, but doesn't look like it, can't see dark patches.

One lamp is possibly original. One lamp is a pattern one, and was new 2-3 years ago.

Its difficult to fit auxiliary lamps that assist dipped beam, other than fog lamps.

[edessex]

Is there a way to test the wiring for voltage drop?

[fr€$h&m1nt¥]

Nov 26, 2016 17:49:02 GMT 93fxdl said:

Some vehicles suffer from poor grade wiring and a first stage upgrade is a set of relays and heavier wiring to avoid voltage drop. Also how about some additional lights to aid your vision.
Ttfn Glenn

I was going to suggest this route too.

A fused cable direct from battery to a relay to the headlights.

[edessex]

I've done a little Googling, and I'll hunt out the multi-meter tomorrow.

I don't think the factory setup uses a relay. I'm guessing I can run a new cable (fused) directly from the battery to the lights via a relay operated by the factory lamp wiring under the bonnet?

[welshpug]

yes, thats a common mod for people using uprated bulbs but also helps against vilt drop on old wiring, seen a few kits from the vw forums for the T4's and suchlike.

[edessex]

Out of interest, has anyone here tried the LED H4 bulbs?

[edessex]

That was another thing that put me off of uprated bulbs, a few people mentioned cables burning out...

[Vintage75]

Have you tried Osram Night Braker Bulbs?
I put them in my Monza and they're much better and legal for road use,

[edessex]

Yep, a few years back in a different car. One blew within a fortnight.

[welshpug]

they are said to be much better now, never tried them personally.

[georgeb]

Nov 26, 2016 18:57:44 GMT Vintage75 said:

Have you tried Osram Night Braker Bulbs?
I put them in my Monza and they're much better and legal for road use,

Nov 26, 2016 19:03:58 GMT edessex said:

Yep, a few years back in a different car. One blew within a fortnight.

Nov 26, 2016 19:19:19 GMT welshpug said:

they are said to be much better now, never tried them personally.

I threw the HIDs away as whilst they were VERY bright, the light was too scattered to be of any use. Changed to Nightbreakers around a year ago and had no issues with them at all. Nice and bright and, more usefully, focused.

[Vintage75]

Nov 26, 2016 19:03:58 GMT edessex said:

Yep, a few years back in a different car. One blew within a fortnight.

Only buy from reputable sources!
there are a lot of fakes out there!

it's not a night and day difference but they do give out more light and also whiter than normal Halogens.

[edessex]

They were legitimate ones from a shop, possibly Halfrauds or a motor factors.

Also went through several Phillips ones before I finally gave up.

I would prefer to stay with halogen bulbs rather than HID. But the HIDs do produce good light, just not well focused...

[welshpug]

not sure if you want o spend quite this much...

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-ASTRA-MK3-MORETTE-TWIN-HEADLAMPS-VERY-RARE-GSI-SRI-REDTOP-TURBO-/302141338957?hash=item465906f54d:g:wm0AAOSwzaJX3sd9

[edessex]

Erm... More than I paid for the car! Lol

Angel eye headlamps are supposed to be better, especially the ones with projectors in.

However they are expensive, and loose the retro look of the current lamps.

[colnerov]

Hi, The trouble with HID conversions is the light source is bigger than the original filament and is consequently not in the focal point of the reflector so there's lots of light scatter, less so with larger wattage filaments but still noticeable. So to answer your question about LED lamps I suspect the same situation will arise. If you can fit one or find someone with them you can borrow one and do a trial in one headlight and compare the outputs.

Colin

[mk2cossie]

Knowing what most older car wiring is like nowadays, and also Vauxhall headlight wiring being a tad on the low output side! I'd consider getting the plug in relay kit for the headlights.

Uses the original wiring to trigger the relays, and they have a dedicated battery feed as well.
You could try the multimeter test to see what voltage the alternator chucks out and then what difference there is between that and at the headlight plug. Even trying a wire (preferably a power probe ) from battery positive to the headlight bulb plug and seeing what difference that makes to the light output against a wall or garage door