Headlamp replacements

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Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By TucsonSean on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 04:11 pm: Edit

I remember seeing a discussion about replacing the stock Disco series 1 headlamps with some that are 85/100W versions. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance. FYI, 97 NAS Disco.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Steve (Steve2) on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 04:18 pm: Edit

some guys uprate the bulbs knowing what will happen, some uprate the bulbs and change the harness

what i did was install the ipf magic series bulbs - they only draw 55w and output 85-100w. best of both worlds. the light is so white compared to stock

steve

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Craig on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 04:19 pm: Edit

Sean-
just a replacement H4 bulb. You can buy them in a wide variety of wattages. you may want to consider a high performance wiring loom. they allow for more current to flow to the bulbs with low resistance. I know IPF makes one, and I think I've seen a similar loom from Jacob's electronics.
hope this helps
Craig

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Scott Bowden on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 03:24 am: Edit

I put in an IPF M002 heavy duty wiring harness in my '94 D1. The harness uses one original headlight plug to activate the relays, the power is taken from the battery direct at 12 volts. It is a total plug and play system with no splicing required. I'm sure some one could make one for less $ but I have not seen it (3 relays, adapter plugs, various gauge wiring, wiring loom and the knowledge required). This harness was +/- $100 from the local 4WD parts store. I then used Hella True 80/100 watt bulbs (H4), about $10 each. For $120 I now have incredible night time shine. Those IPF magic bulbs are $50-60 each and might not be as bright. Plus Hella offers 90/130 and 100/140 bulbs at $10 each. I decided that was too bright for driving around town (I get highlighted sometimes any way). I have been told that Philips brand bulbs are manufactured to higher tolerances and produce a better beam due to precise filament placement with the factory lamp reflector. I have not found the higher watt bulbs though.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 05:38 am: Edit

I wouldn't worry too much about the current draw of the 100W high beams. Just get the replacement hi-wattage H4's and slap 'em in !

When the engine is running, 100W bulbs only draw ~7.1A - the factory harness is OK for that.

Hell, I run 130W bulbs in my Hella 4000's using the original foglamp wiring. No worries.

keith
discosaurus

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By JEEPETR on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 06:09 am: Edit

Hey Sean,

If you really want improved lighting from your headlights, replace the headlamp assembly with the e-code assemblies from European Discoverys (Approx. $225 a pair). Martin Amedeo was nice enough to supply me with the information on where to find these in the US: Puma Accessories (www.puma-access.com 1-800-35-HELLA). These lamps are technically illeagal in the US, as they are not DOT approved, however no one will ever know except you. They provide far better lighting, and will not offend oncoming drivers as much as your stock lamps due (DOT approved lights suck, and are more offensive to oncoming drivers, who came up with this B.S.?). This is because of the sharp cutoff pattern of the lense. Than add an IPF Harness (Approx. $90), and some Hella 100w/130W H4 bulbs (Approx. $30) and you will be simply amazed. You can even run these high wattage bulbs without offending oncoming drivers! The Harness will give you much whighter, brighter light from these bulbs by supplying them with more voltage than the stock wiring will, as well as eliminating the possibility of burning up the stock wiring.

I have not made the conversion on my Discovery yet, but plan to soon. I run Hella E-Code Headlamps in my Defender 90 with these bulbs and a Jacobs Wiring Harness (Now discontinued). The light is simply awesome, very usable, and even despite the higher headlamp level of the Defender, oncoming drivers never flash me...

~Scott T.
'95 D-90 (JEEPETR)
'96 Discovery (5-Speed)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 08:54 am: Edit

If you're concerned about "burning up your wire harness" with aftermarket lights/bulbs, you may want to take a look at this...

http://bwcecom.belden.com/catalog/TechInfo/TechLeadWire.htm

This shows that even 22AWG is fine for 100W bulbs at 14V. 130W bulbs are close to maximum for 22AWG, but OK...

keith
discosaurus

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By james on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 09:06 am: Edit

I started off with IPF's magic bulbs but they don't really do much but turn the light white! I now have IPF's wiring loom and 90w/140w bulbs and they are perfect!!! That wattage is as bright as you can get without getting flashed all the time. I live out in the mountains in CO and bright light saves lives out here. Cost was around $120 and installation was about 15 minutes.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By TucsonSean on Saturday, October 06, 2001 - 01:20 pm: Edit

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I have decided to go with the H4 replacements in 80/100W rating for now. I don't have the need to light up the desert yet. I will save that for the roof rack. Do you think that 16 lights are too many? j/k. Thanks again.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Bill Bettridge (Billb) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 03:33 am: Edit

Scott - I'm using the E code headlamps and 110/130 watt bulbs - needless to say very bright and as you said, the light pattern is completely different (much better) than the DOT approved version - downside is to everyone else out there, you have your brights on all the time :)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By marty amedeo (Marty) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 10:57 am: Edit

Bill - I'm also using the e-code headlamps with 60/55 Xenon bulbs and the amount of light it delivers is very bright and no worries about the wiring harness getting fried. Are you using the stock harness with the 110/130 bulbs?

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Bill Bettridge (Billb) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 11:02 am: Edit

Sorry - should have clarified -I'm using the IPF 110/130 EQUIVALENT bulbs right now - so no worries with the harness. I do plan to switch to the real things when the IPF's give it up and obviously upgrade the harness to take it.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Scott Bowden (Scott_Bowden) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:03 am: Edit

Are the e-code lamps from europe? Do they light up street signs? My reason for going the upgraded harness and cheaper bulbs; when the bulbs go out I only have to spend $10 each to be bright again, and/or upgrade to higher watt bulbs. To each, his own :)


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