cjb@ccice2.UUCP (Curtis J. Braun) (09/03/85)
Speaking of headlights... I have full conversions on all my cars, I make good use of them, since I like to go rallying. I especially like the kinds of rallies which are Driver style events, where you going down dirt roads at high speeds ( just under 55mph) in the middle of the night... Anyway I thought that a little background info might be helpful: Ratings of Headlights and auxiliary lighing by Hella or Cibie are done in feet. They claim that their lights will be reflected by a roadside reflector at some distance x. They also give you a diagram of the beam pattern as it relates to the car. Standard headlight types or replacements : standard headlights on high beam < 2800' sealed beam halogens(fake halogens) """ ~ 3300' Euroconversions 55/60W """ ~ 5000' Euroconversions 55/100W """ > 5000' Euroconversions 55W Pencil """ ~ 8600' Auxiliary Driving lights: Fog lights ~ 500' normal driving beam > 4000' < 5500' Driving lights Pencil > 8000' ( ~ about; > greater than ; < less than ) These are general guidelines which can be verified by picking up a Complete Hella or Cibie catalog ( they're pretty thick ). Xtra facts: Toyota and Nissan now come with replaceable bulb halogen headlights as standard. Europe has been using these for years, hence the term: European headlight Conversions. European laws say that the headlights must be bright enough to be seen above the street light illuminations. Trucks headlights are restricted just as cars headlights as to the height range from the Road surface. You don't have a truck headlight in your rear view mirror that way... I though that some Opinions might be helpful : I found that if I have my lights set up by the Dealer, that I can't see a whole lot. All they do is put a bubble ajuster in the socket and allign it that way. This method does not take the lens/reflector into account and makes the headlights shoot straight forward. I use a lot of light, and do a lot of driving, therefore I set up my lights to point as follows: Low Beam --O---------O-- | |---- | | --------- | | ------- | |--------------------------- --O---------O-- ------- | | ---------------| | |---------------- --O---------O--| ------------- | < ~ 1000 ' > | High Beam --O---------O-- | |--------------------------- | | | | | |--------------------------- --O---------O-- ------- | | ---------------| | |-------------------------- --O---------O--| | < ~ 4000 ' > | Driving lights --O---------O-- | |--------------------------- | | | | | |--------------------------- --O---------O-- ------- | | ---------------| ------------ one up | |--------------- --O---------O--| ------------ one down | < ~ 6000 ' > | The first diagram for the low beams keeps the oncoming traffic from geting any direct light. it also gives enough light to see where you're going. Most important it puts one beam closer so you can see better in rain or fog and the other farther away for highway markers. I ever need my high beams in the city or Expressway. I do the same to the single headlight cars, but I don't turn the beam as much to the right. The high beams are set pretty much straight out giving me side light, where the driving lights are my pencil beams which compensate for going up or down hills. Since I have my lights set up like this I haven't had any real complaints. I am also very discreet with my highbeams, since my driving lights go on too. As a matter of fact if I turn them on when I'm behind someone they can't see the road on front of them. I just like those guys that don't beam down coming at me. I thought about going to 100W bulbs on my lights but I don't think that my alternator will take it. One more thing, a word of advice, keep the lenses clean !!! They need to dissipate the heat... I would really like those headlights that come with windshield wipers and turn with you, but I can't seem to afford a car that comes with them, Oh well .... My father-in-law isn't as young as he used to be, I suggested that he let me install a set of Euroconversions for him. You know, He can see O.K. -- With his brights on !!!. I know, I shouldn't talk like this, so no flames, please.. Curtis (!rochester!ccice5!ccice2) >> You what I like about them there real halogen lights, >> I can see a deer at 4500' going 80 mph and >> still be able stop with them there >> fancy semi-metallic brakes ( but that's another story ). I claim nothing and disclaim everything