TheSamba.com :: View topic - Buggy Headlights - Sealed vs Non-Sealed vs LED Ring

Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:15 am

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!

Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:23 am

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.

Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:34 am

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.

Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:37 am

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.

Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:02 pm

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.

Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:16 pm

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

Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:36 pm

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.

Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:57 pm

I have a set of these in my buggy and they are fantastic.

http://www.rallylights.com/h6024-7-round-e-code-hi-lo-conversion-headlamp-kit.html

Lee

Wed Mar 12, 2014 6:46 pm

LeeVW wrote: I have a set of these in my buggy and they are fantastic.

http://www.rallylights.com/h6024-7-round-e-code-hi-lo-conversion-headlamp-kit.html

Lee

I am liking those. Might have to try a set in my Manx. How spendy are they?

Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:49 pm

joescoolcustoms wrote: LeeVW wrote: I have a set of these in my buggy and they are fantastic.

http://www.rallylights.com/h6024-7-round-e-code-hi-lo-conversion-headlamp-kit.html

Lee

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

Thu Mar 13, 2014 6:55 am

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...

Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:29 am

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?

Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:35 am

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?

Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:25 am

55/60 is usually standard "street legal" for USA.... Anything more could get you ticket if you wake up a grumpy bear....

Dale

Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:27 am

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

Thu Mar 13, 2014 4:26 pm

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...

Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:08 pm

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

Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:32 pm

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

Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:59 pm

yeah, im confused lol, am i going to need to run new fuses? or is it alot simpler than I am making it

Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:20 pm

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?