TheSamba.com :: View topic - Hella fix for Dangerously dim headlights w/ relays…

Sun May 15, 2016 3:11 pm

Well, now that the dim headlight issue is resolved I can get back to this and see what I do about it. Still wondering about the regulator and the wire harness from the alternator.

Sun May 15, 2016 3:42 pm

Replying here from the other topic since it pertains to this thread...

Paulbeard wrote:

More a function of their size and how bright and clean they are.

In direct relation to the function of the stock lights, if ^those high-beam lenses are still that cloudy, they should be cleaned: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=378845 .

Sun May 15, 2016 4:36 pm

They got the GoWesty clean last summer so they're not awful. But maybe some ammonia (the active ingredient in windex) or a vinegar and soap bath is in order.

Not right now though. I have seen the back of those lights too much in recent weeks. I have to take the whole mess out to do that and apartment living makes some things more…complicated.

I doubt I will use the highs anyway with all that awesome H4 power…

Sun May 15, 2016 10:05 pm

Be cautious with cleaners. I've had a dozen successes with NAPA foaming window cleaner fired into the back until full. Then one failure a couple summers ago. Destroyed the original Audi headlamps in my sig line. Happily they sucked beyond belief anyhow and it prompted me to discover the world of cheap Latvian H4s. $80 to my door for a new pair and they rock. Would have never know if I had not ruined my garbage factory lights!!

Anyhow, there is a dark side to headlight cleaning. No pun intended...heh...

Tue May 17, 2016 4:13 pm

Slowly Gathering what I need, only thing left is ceramic plugs......
UPS brought these just now.......
Excited to be able to actually see when I drive. :wink:

Note: photo on box is the opposite glass design as the lenses IN the box.

Dave

Tue May 17, 2016 4:22 pm

Looks like the same ones.

I just got a refund on one of the two headlight assemblies because of some issues with what was ordered vs what I got. So my total cost for this just went down.

Have you considered a new harness from Jay Brown? I opted for that after he suggested the South African style harness. Got those local grounds done, finally.

Tue May 17, 2016 4:30 pm

Yeah,mthat's my plan. My relays came from him.

Dave

Tue May 17, 2016 7:58 pm

The inline (cut & crimp) style South African Grill headlight harness will work perfectly to install the Hella 190mmx132mm: https://sites.google.com/site/vanagonheadlightrela...ht-harness

Cutting off the 25+ year old stock sockets with the tiny 2.8mm (0.110") terminals and a couple inches at the end of the wires where most of the oxidation and heat related damage typically occurs will ensure better headlight performance.

Fri May 20, 2016 9:51 pm

I finally got a chance to get these monsters aimed. Oh my. They are bright. And that cutoff. It's like the lenses are taped over halfway up, it's so sharp.

Just the lows:

Lows and highs:

I think they are still low which doesn't trouble me a lot, given how much of an improvement they are. They were both very wide and had to be pulled into the center so I think I will be less of a menace to other travelers. I'll take another look in daylight and see what I think about the mounting.

But overall? A clear win.

Sat May 21, 2016 7:58 am

Nice work - love it!

If I was at all unhappy with my relays+9004"brightbulbs" I'd bite.

As it is, I rarely drive the van at night - usually just to/from home. On roadtrips, we're only
on unfamiliar roads during the day & almost always parked/camped way before dark.

Cheers!

- Dave

Sat May 21, 2016 8:25 am

dhaavers wrote: Nice work - love it!

If I was at all unhappy with my relays+9004"brightbulbs" I'd bite.

As it is, I rarely drive the van at night - usually just to/from home. On roadtrips, we're only
on unfamiliar roads during the day & almost always parked/camped way before dark.

Cheers!

- Dave

Yeah....... That's how I THOUGHT my usage was going to be....... ^^^^

Then I found myself on Oregon 140 headed to KFalls as night fell, then down the Green Springs into Ashland in the wee hours of the morning with CRAPPY HEADLIGHTS!!!!

Never again! That was the worst, and most memorable, part of our journey.

Next time I end up doing a late night dash somewhere, I want to actually see what I'm dashing through.

Dave

Sat May 21, 2016 10:09 am

vision is over rated says the blind man. 8)

Tue May 24, 2016 6:58 pm

Anyone need any 9004 headlight bulbs? I have the stock ones and a pair of 100/80s (lightly used).