Sealed Beam Headlights

[bikermike]

Projectors and Cibie E-Codes are are more than I am looking to spend...Good discussion, however.

I came across some interesting reading:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/home.htmlctors

http://www.brandsport.com/bulcomchar.html

Wagner BriteLites are another one to consider for sealed beams.

[bikermike]

I ended up going with the Wagner BriteLites sealed beams and went for a night drive tonight. I am happy with them.

The pattern is pretty broad on low beams and the highs throw well. The light is very white. I am running them off 12 gauge relayed circuits so they are plenty bright too.

Anything is better than what I had, but for sealed beams they are really good option.

I don't drive the Roadster much at night, but wanted something that would get me home with confidence after sunset drives.

Part #: H6024BL
3950K, 65W Hi / 55W Lo

Something to add to your list of headlight options if you don't want to do a conversion...

[notoptoy]

Nice to know. PO put
Cibie's in mine, but they are not run with a relay - really need to do that!

[65Ch3v3LL3]

Anyone try the new Truck - Lite LED headlights? I have the previous version in one of my Harleys and it made a huge difference. The other big advantage with these are the low current draw. 1.8 amps low beam and 3.6 amps high beam.



http://www.truck-lite.com/webapp/wcs/st ... &langId=-1

They are a bit expensive but it looks like the light pattern is better on the new ones than the previous model. I think I might try a set on my 66.

[Skyman]

Please post your findings if you do try these. I would be interested if they work or not.

[spyder]

I poked around and didn't find a price list. Link?

[bobd]

I got a pair of the cheap ebay halogens for my '69 a few years ago.

100w high beams (I forget what the low beams are) for no extra charge.

They fit ok after I stuffed the bucket with foam weather stripping, otherwise, they were loose.

It's wired up with the Victoria British headlight wiring / relay kit and works pretty well.

[65Ch3v3LL3]

Please post your findings if you do try these. I would be interested if they work or not.

I'm not sure if I understand your meaning of work or not. I have used the previous generation LED headlights from this same manufacturer and they are far and above a halogen headlight. The extra light output and the quality of the light is way better. As far as fitting they are plug and play for any 7" sealed beam headlight. I will probably get a set for my Road King before my Roadster. The best prices I have found so far is just under $500 for a pair of them and that was on eBay. On the previous generation I got them cheapest at my local NAPA store so you might try there as well.

Tim

[Garm]

I'm seeing "a bit expensive" and "$500" in the same thread... made me chuckle. Then cry.

[65Ch3v3LL3]

Expensive is always a relative term. For me it seems a bit much to spend on headlights but then again I live where there are tons of deer that jump out in the middle of the night so seeing the road and edge of the road with better light often pays for the light upgrades. That is why I will upgrade my bikes first. I really don't want to experience hitting a deer on my bike.

[spl310]

Lots of deer strikes? See if Ali Arc will build you a bumper/animal guard!

[Garm]

A deer strike would be more expensive than the cost of the lights, that's for sure.

Around here, however, squirrel strikes just don't damage the car all that much.

[fj20spl311]

From what I can can find halogen headlamps produce ~ 20 lumens per watt and high out halogens up to 30 lumens per watt.

The LED lights are 1300 lumens which is the same as 65 watt halogens. The real advantage would be in life. HO halogens bulbs have a life time in the low hundreds of hours. The LED would be 10 thousands hours.

I don't think it pays for a roadster, the use is too low.

[SLOroadster]

From what I can can find halogen headlamps produce ~ 20 lumens per watt and high out halogens up to 30 lumens per watt.

The LED lights are 1300 lumens which is the same as 65 watt halogens. The real advantage would be in life. HO halogens bulbs have a life time in the low hundreds of hours. The LED would be 10 thousands hours.

I don't think it pays for a roadster, the use is too low.

I have yet to see a set of LEDs that projects the light as well as a normal halogen light. I've got a couple LED flashlights that are great if you want to illuminate something 3 inches in front of you, but if its a couple feet away they are useless. I've got a rather expensive set of LED bicycle lights that are bright as all get out, but they are useless to actually try and ride with because they can't project the light far enough ahead of you. I end up out running the available light and it gets really hard to see where I'm going at 25 mph. I don't even want to try to drive like that. Until they can figure out how to produce a lens and reflector that will project the light down the road as far as a good set of normal H1/h4s (read Cibie or Hella or one of those) I'd stay clear of LEDs for cars. They are great for being seen, but really poor for seeing with them.

Will

[bikermike]

In my opinion, for $30 a pair of modern sealed beam 4000k halogens seems like a solid alternative. With the mixed results of some of the plastic H4 conversions out there and the expense of HIDs and LEDs, why bother? I think you are better off in investing in robust wiring with relays to the headlights to ensure maximum voltage. If you want to throw even more light, add a set of 100W halogen driving lights. Here in the Bay Area I see plenty of boy-racer types with some horrible headlight "upgrades" that are way bright but throw light every place except where it is needed.

As reported here and in other forums, if you want to spend some more on lighting go for a set of quality ecode conversion housings as Will advises.

After 6 months I'm still happy with my stock looking "budget" solution with a wiring upgrade. I like driving the Roadster at night now.
Wagner BriteLites
Part #: H6024BL
3950K, 65W Hi / 55W Lo

http://www.federalmogul.com/en/Aftermar ... Headlamps/
http://www.brandsport.com/manufacturers ... html#Brite

http://www.amazon.com/Wagner-H6024BL-Br ... B000C90MNE