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MG MGB Technical - Halogen Lights

Hi All,

I really don't know if I should be asking this at the moment due to my lack of high beams and indicators and other eveil electrical things but then I seem to be prone to self punishing.

What I'm wanting to know is... Are there any direct swap sealed beam lights to switch to halogen from the standard incandescent?

Before you all tell me to check the archives, I have and I cannot find the info I'm after.

If not available to do a direct swap, then what is involved in switching to halogen headlights?

Thanks in advance.


Ad.
AJ Hooker

You should be able to get a direct halogen replacement for your incandescent bulbs. They are available in the US, hopefully also in "au."
John Smith

Hi Ad,

Halogens are not sealed beams, so you will have to buy headlamp units and bulbs. Fortunately they are the same size as sealed beams, and generally the bulb holder fitting is the same (3 flat prongs). I would strongly recommend uprating the wiring with relays whilst you are at it, if you can't find details on this side, I can send you a copy of the detailed instructions which I wrote out for a friend,

Mike
Michael barnfather

In the USA you can buy sealed beam halogen lights which are a direct replacement for ordinary incandescent sealed beam lamps. Sylvania markets two such lines of lamps here, one called XtraVision and the other, a new one and supposedly even "better and brighter" called Silver Star. There is also a "blue" light sealed beam lamp offered. Check out this site for more info and to see if they are offered in Australia: http://www.sylvania.com/bin/carApp/carApp_ver2.pl?flag=model_quals&make=&make=MG&year=&year=1980&model=MGB&x=27&y=9

I have used the XtraVision lamps for years and have been more pleased with them than most other aftermarket sealed or unsealed halogens I have blown money on. It is the shape and focus of the beam, as well as the simple increase in light that I have found more useful. I am sure there are many other opinions.
Bob Muenchausen

Over here in the UK we can get Wipac or Cibie halogen headlamps. As Mike B says they use H4 bulbs, not sealed beams. Personally, I wouldn't buy the Wipac. The Cibie has very superior beam control and is generally better made.
Mike H
Mike Howlett

http://www.rockcrawler.com. A review of the Sylvania Silver Star lamps. FWIW
Bob Muenchausen

I may be wrong, but it has always been my understanding that, in the US, there are limits to the brightness (candlepower) that can be used on street cars. It has further been my understanding that the sealed beam halogens are at or very close to that limit.

If this is true, then there is very little to be gained by switching to headlight kits that use discreet H4 bulbs.

The discreet bulbs have other advantages, but I don't believe that brightness is one of them, as long as we're comparing street-legal lamps.

Does anyone know if this is true, or not? I know that you can't just put aircraft landing lights on the front of your car, even if your Lucas alternator would put out enough current.

I don't know if you can even buy old-fashioned tungsten incandescent sealed beams any more. The last time I looked, the only thing I could find were the sealed beam halogens.
Paul Noble

I second Bob's recommendation of the Sylvania 65/55 Watt halogens called "Xtra Vision". Whiter and brighter and a broader beam that that really lights up the side of the road and aids cornering. The high beam is great on dark country roads. And they are only $20-$25 per pair at the big retailers (Autozone, Pep-Boys).
Terry

Thankyou all,

I have an importer that wants to look at a light to see if he can make a market here and I also have just found a place that can get me the Osram Sylvania 'Xtra Vision's' in.

I'll keep you updated and if any Aussies on here are interested, just drop me an email and I can let you know where to get them. Providing I happy with the result.

Cheers,


Ad
AJ Hooker

This thread was discussed between 17/02/2004 and 18/02/2004

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.