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AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
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 Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:15 am Post subject: Buggy Headlights - Sealed vs Non-Sealed vs LED Ring |
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Hello all. Last night was the first time I took the new buggy on the road at night and it became immidiatly apparent the headlights were way too dim. Being entirely too lazy to check the voltage at the lights, I figured the quickest fix is to replace the lights. Which, of course, was not simple. (My buggy takes H6024 lights, fyi)
From the way I see it, there are three options:
Sealed Halogen - Direct replacement; Dims over time; ~$12 / ea
Un-Sealed Halogen - H6024 style reflector with a replaceable halogen element; More sustainable long term?; ~$18 / ea; $9 for bulbs thereafter
Non-Sealed Halogen with LEDs - These are probably more of an aesthetic choice. I like the IDEA of doing LED running lights, but I am not sure they're at home on a simple as dirt buggy. That said, they're not much more expensive than a standard non-sealed halogen...
What are you guys running? What do you think? Are sealed halogens a dying breed? Thank you! |
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Letterman7
Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2004
Posts: 3230
Location: Downingtown, PA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:23 am Post subject: |
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| Depends on what you want to spend. Look at the new LED headlights from TruckLite and never have to replace bulbs again. But... at. early $500 a pair, it's an expensive investment. |
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AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:34 am Post subject: |
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| Letterman7 wrote: |
| Depends on what you want to spend. Look at the new LED headlights from TruckLite and never have to replace bulbs again. But... at. early $500 a pair, it's an expensive investment. |
That sounds awesome, but the price makes it a non-starter. Plenty of other things to spend that kind of cash on.
My primary concerns are aesthetics and maintainability. |
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shephard_scott
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2011
Posts: 82
Location: Flint, Michigan
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:37 am Post subject: |
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| The reflectors are H6024 but what size are the bulbs? You can probably get a HID conversion kit for around $70 on Amazon. That would definately solve the problem, it would be about 3 times brighter but still work as a driving lights and be DOT approved. |
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AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:02 pm Post subject: |
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| shephard_scott wrote: |
| The reflectors are H6024 but what size are the bulbs? You can probably get a HID conversion kit for around $70 on Amazon. That would definately solve the problem, it would be about 3 times brighter but still work as a driving lights and be DOT approved. |
The non-sealed reflectors are H6024 and use a H4 bulb in most cases.
My guess is the headlights were dim because of age, not anything wrong with the technology. *fingers crossed* I guess some bulbs, particularly that style dim over time. |
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20806
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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Have non sealed beams with H4 (9006 I think) on Buggy and they are great....
Recently converted Jeep to non sealed beams and H4 and it was like 300% increase in lighting over standard sealed beams....
One does have to consider wire gauge feeding lamp circuits though... On buggy they are wired with 12 gauge, but on JEEP they are "standard" for what ever harness is (14 or 16) and it works fine...
Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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lostinbaja
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2004
Posts: 4036
Location: Frankfort, Illinois
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Dale M. wrote: |
Have non sealed beams with H4 (9006 I think) on Buggy and they are great....
Dale |
I too have been very happy with my H4 Bulbs.
_________________
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If it's being towed, it must be a trailer!
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LeeVW
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2006
Posts: 1016
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joescoolcustoms
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006
Posts: 9054
Location: West By God Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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I am liking those. Might have to try a set in my Manx. How spendy are they?
_________________
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20806
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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| joescoolcustoms wrote: |
I am liking those. Might have to try a set in my Manx. How spendy are they? |
Website says $91.00 Plus cost of bulb.......
Better pricing here... When I got mine they were on sale at $49 a pair + cost of bulbs ...
https://www.busdepot.com/0301600118
Be aware!..
Disclaimer: These E-code spec headlights exceed all European and Canadian standards for street use, and are widely considered superior to U.S. spec headlights. Unfortunately the U.S. DOT never adopted the European standard (nor did they set their own), leaving a hole in the regulations. As a result, all H4's (even E-code ones) must be designated as "for offroad use only" if sold in the U.S. Compliance with local laws is the buyer's responsibility.
But are absolutely super on road....
Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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TKentT
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2013
Posts: 232
Location: Sevierville TN
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 6:55 am Post subject: |
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First question is "Are you running a headlight relay" or is all the current going through the switch?
If you aren't running a relay, that is the first thing to do... then use heavier gauge wires to feed the headlights...
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AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:29 am Post subject: |
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Thanks gents!
I ended up going with the LED ring option, with the understanding that I don't have to use the LEDs if I don't like them.
It looks like the wiring is 14AWG, which should be good to run 2x 100W, but not much more... I'll check the configuration, thanks for the heads up.
On the Hella H4 bulbs, I am seeing options for a 60/55 and a 100/80. My inclination is to go with the 60/55. Thoughts? |
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AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:35 am Post subject: |
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| AkioOhtori wrote: |
| On the Hella H4 bulbs, I am seeing options for a 60/55 and a 100/80. My inclination is to go with the 60/55. Thoughts? |
Spoke too soon! Found some 55/100s, which seem like the best of both worlds.
My assumption is that if everything is wired correctly (big if) the low beams are off when the high beams are on. Is this a correct assumption? |
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20806
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:25 am Post subject: |
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55/60 is usually standard "street legal" for USA.... Anything more could get you ticket if you wake up a grumpy bear....
Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20806
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:27 am Post subject: |
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| AkioOhtori wrote: |
| AkioOhtori wrote: |
| On the Hella H4 bulbs, I am seeing options for a 60/55 and a 100/80. My inclination is to go with the 60/55. Thoughts? |
Spoke too soon! Found some 55/100s, which seem like the best of both worlds.
My assumption is that if everything is wired correctly (big if) the low beams are off when the high beams are on. Is this a correct assumption? |
Yes... only one set of filaments should be on at any give time, putting both on will cause excessive heat and really shorten life of bulbs....
Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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illinineverdie
Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2012
Posts: 57
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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Rodtiques offers some interesting, though not cheap options. I got some LED with rockets (as they call them). Satisfied with the brightness, except for the "rockets" they have that I use as blinkers. They seem dim in the daytime and might be borderline illegal. That, and spacers needed to be installed to prop the headlights up another 3/4 inch so they cleared the fender. Sort of a pain. I might do over and get some without the "rockets" and install separate blinkers, but they are good enough and sort of cool.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dune-Buggy-VW-Bug-Sandrail...0741828495
Not sure if this all helps.. but just FYI... |
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t3sters
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2014
Posts: 111
Location: Henderson, Texas
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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I have recently bought this buggy, the headlights are horrible, but no relay, and Im not sure what relay I need but I am going to install a 55/100 headlight so its possible to drive at night. Any ideas where I can get this relay? Im completely new to this as you can tell, but I am an eager learner! Im probably going to do these lights:
https://www.busdepot.com/0301600118
With these Bulbs:
https://www.busdepot.com/78158
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20806
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Standard VW DIMMER RELAY should do it for you....
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-111-941-583
Wired per....
Both graphics are identical in wiring...
Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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t3sters
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2014
Posts: 111
Location: Henderson, Texas
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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| yeah, im confused lol, am i going to need to run new fuses? or is it alot simpler than I am making it |
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t3sters
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2014
Posts: 111
Location: Henderson, Texas
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| that website is requiring me to pay 15 for relay, 15 for shipping and then saying i have to spend 25 before shipping to buy, I refuse to pay 40 for a relay, anyone have any better suggestions? |
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