xenon headlight conversion

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:57 am

Hi has anyone tried to install xenon lights into a series 1 etype - i dont doubt the cover glass would cause more scatter but right now I am considering converting to halogen as part of the rebuild - so why not jump straight to Xenon...

Any kits out there? SNG dont do one for Series 1's

Post by **Heuer** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 3:43 pm

Xenon lights only really work if they are in a purpose designed reflector so sticking one of these CMO* kits into a standard Lucas one is going to do very little other than annoy oncoming motorist's. Strictly speaking all Xenon light installations should have self levelling headlamps (raise & lower as you brake/accelerate) so you could find you get an MOT failure if you do not have the mechanism working. They also operate at 1Kv so require special installation and suitable precautions against electric shock. You will need to find somewhere to mount the ballast's and modify the wiring. Modern car lighting works on the principle of increasing the volume of light on the road rather than increasing the power hence the funky big Xenon lights you see on even the smallest hatchback. You can easily install a set of halogen H4 60/55w bulbs and the latest product's from Ring, Osram and Philips claim 100% more light than standard so that should be enough. http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h4-60- ... ight-bulb/

Many suppliers offer 'off road' 100w bulbs but fitting those will put more load on the electrics, dazzle oncoming traffic, fail the MOT and their use is an endorsable offence if you are stopped - and you will be very easy to spot! I looked at a Xenon conversion for our Porsche 993 (it was standard on the turbo) but I found the 'easy fit kit' was anything but, and it only worked on dipped beam! But the difference is noticeable:

Personally I would stick to the latest generation 60/55w Halogen bulbs. You could even buy a blue halogen to match the car: http://tinyurl.com/3oux6so but bear in mind a standard H4 bulb is a couple of quid whilst these super bulbs are ?30 a pair.

*Cynical Marketing Opportunity

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 7:25 pm

An interesting and educational reply - thanks David. Perhaps I will stay with the Halogens :)

Malk · Post by **Malk** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:18 am

Whilst doing that you could also fir some super bright LED sidelights, something I did on a van instead of daylight running lights and although changes the character of the car it will increase brightness on less wattage..... I assume they are W2W but not even thought about upgrading lights yet something I normally use PIAA extreme white from memory or platinum white but these are apprx ?60 a pair

kingzetts · Post by **kingzetts** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:11 am

I did look into fitting HIDs to my S1. However, the readily-available "bulb replacement" units are too long in the back. To explain - space behind the headlamp shell is limited - you will see the cutout on the rear casing inside the wheelarch to give clearance for the front wheel. The HID bulb units protrude quite a long way back from the bulb mounting flange - much more so than standard halogen bulbs - and do not fit.

They possibly would fit S2 models as these have their lamps mounted further forward. And it may be possible to find HID bulbs which are not so long. But this is yet another reason to add to David's list of why it may be best to stick to halogen bulbs.

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:13 am

Great thanks... that probably accounts for why SNG dont do the kit for Series 1's...

I think I will try the "H4 Osram Night Breaker Plus" at about ?13 a pair - the adverts say:

Auto Express 2010 Best Buy. Osram Night Breaker Plus. H4 Pair (Two bulbs per pack). 12v 60/55w. Replaces any H4 headlight bulb. Up to 90% more light. Up to 35 metres of light Up to 10% whiter light Up to 50% longer life Extra high light output and an operating life extended by up to 50 percent, these are the key performance data of OSRAM's Night Breaker Plus. Night Breaker lamps shed up to 90 percent more light on the road than conventional headlamps and produce a light cone that is up to 35 metres longer. The Night Breaker Plus now combines these properties with a considerably extended lifespan, which saves time and money

Post by **Heuer** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:29 am

It has recently been announced that from 2012 the MOT test will include a check to see if HID headlights conform to the required vehicle specifications i.e. self levelling of vehicle or headlights, headlight washers, dipped beam remains on with main beam and E marking to certify bulb sits in the correct place in the reflector. These requirements are compulsory so after market kits will no longer be acceptable.

Joe Burghard · Post by **Joe Burghard** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 5:22 am

One suggestion to the addition of halogens to early E-Jags - install a pair of Bosch-type relays and large gauge supply wiring to the low and high beam headlamp circuits to avoid running the lamp current through the Lucas dash switches. I don't remember the exact relationship but lamp output is an exponential function of the supply voltage and the factory circuit and smallish wire size resulted in a significant drop in the voltage at the headlamps on my Series 1. Relays and heavy gauge wiring increased the supply voltage and noticeably improved light output.

Joe

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 8:28 am

Why do you need headlights? Gentlemen do not motor about after dark.

paydase · Post by **paydase** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 3:37 pm

Joe Burghard wrote:One suggestion to the addition of halogens to early E-Jags - install a pair of Bosch-type relays and large gauge supply wiring to the low and high beam headlamp circuits to avoid running the lamp current through the Lucas dash switches. I don't remember the exact relationship but lamp output is an exponential function of the supply voltage and the factory circuit and smallish wire size resulted in a significant drop in the voltage at the headlamps on my Series 1. Relays and heavy gauge wiring increased the supply voltage and noticeably improved light output.

Joe

Joe, could you be more specific?
I am wondering on the capacity of the whole "old" lights and wirings to face possibly increased amps and voltages.
By only switching from the normal S1 lamps to Osram night breaker plus 12V 60/55W, do you have an idea of what could be the % increase of amps and voltages in the different components/wirings?

Serge

Post by **Heuer** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 4:16 pm

Serge

Full details here: http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4919

paydase · Post by **paydase** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 6:12 pm

Thx a lot David, most helpful!
Serge

rfs1957 · Post by **rfs1957** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:56 pm

Hi Serge,

....... and while you're at the headlamps, you might like to address some of the other electrical issues at the same time ?

http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

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xenon headlight conversion

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