let there be light

[BoneStock67]

That Daniel Stern lighting article cited by Fuzzy Math made a lot of sense to me. Basil Bomb's objection that a "blue filter" filters out blue light is a question of semantics: in common parlance a "blue filter" is one that appears blue to the eye (i.e., largely filters out everything BUT blue), not one that filters out blue.
Also, if you read to the bottom of the article, it says that Sylvania SilverStars are not the same product as Osram SilverStars, even though Osram now owns Sylvania. Osram Silverstars = very good; Sylvania Silverstars = very bad.
From my own experience with the Sylvania Silverstars on my wife's car, I can believe Stern's claim that Sylvania ups the wattage to compensate for loss of light from the blue filter, thus causing premature burnout. Our burnout rate seems to be once per nine months on these. I had already decided to try another bulb on the next burnout. Now, thanks to Fuzzy Math's citation, I will definitely try the Osrams.
And maybe, someday, when I finally find a vanagon, I'll put them on that vehicle too.
_________________
1986 Wolfsburg Westfalia Weekender 2.1L stock
1967 Beetle, now becoming my daily driver again, after a long rest in the garage

"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.” -Enrico Fermi

[Olydoug]

I've been having trouble with silverstars on my non vanagon too. We have a 04 GTI 1.8t and I go thru the silverstars about once every 4-6 months. problem is I can't justify spending 60 bucks on PIAAs when the silverstars are only 20.

[tencentlife]

In 18 months you can.

[buggnuttz]

Start with the relays then make changes to the bulbs. You will be pleased with the results. I added relays and upgraded to 80/100 H4 lights on my 85 ,it's actually fun to drive at night now
_________________
owned 39 different VWs so far

[BoneStock67]

Ha. I was about to make the same comment, TenCent.
By the way, the same Daniel Stern article also blacklists at least some of the PIAAs, asserting that they have the same blue coating, but don't raise the wattage, so that they're dimmer (but they do last longer). The best of the best are, according to him:
Narva RangePower+50 and RangePower+30, GE Night Hawk, and Philips Vision Plus, and Osram Silver Star.
_________________
1986 Wolfsburg Westfalia Weekender 2.1L stock
1967 Beetle, now becoming my daily driver again, after a long rest in the garage

"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.” -Enrico Fermi

[TroySmith80]

** Edited ** My description of the problem was not accurate because it was daytime and i didn't check that both headlights were doing the same thing. The left HL is behaving differently than the right HL now.

I'll do some more diagnostic now and post back again.
_________________
1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg - 2.5L Subaru - Sold - Preparing to move to the dark side (4x4 Ford van)

[TroySmith80]

I cut the white wire, and the yellow/Blk wire. I have an '84 wolfsburg camper. Those ARE the correct wires, right?

PS - on a side note, what is the conductivity of a spade conductor? I'm curious if there's even a benefit of using wire larger than 14 guage or so, with a spade connector. Obviously if you use some monstrously huge wire, then terminate it with a spade, it's really of no use to use a wire that large. What is the largest wire that makes sense with a spade connector?
_________________
1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg - 2.5L Subaru - Sold - Preparing to move to the dark side (4x4 Ford van)

[TroySmith80]

OK, it seems that what is happening is that the drivers side HL is on any time the key is on. I can't be sure whether it's on hi or lo beam. The passenger side HL behaves properly.

I can't understand what would cause this, based on the things that i've touched/changed. I haven't messed with anything that is specific to just one or the other side headlight.
_________________
1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg - 2.5L Subaru - Sold - Preparing to move to the dark side (4x4 Ford van)

[TroySmith80]

anybody know why the left side light is different than the right side?
_________________
1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg - 2.5L Subaru - Sold - Preparing to move to the dark side (4x4 Ford van)

[brianu]

It sounds like the left side is not being switched any more where the right side is. Double check your wiring and make sure that both relays connect back to the dash switch on relay pin 86
_________________
1985 Vanagon GL Westfalia - Bronze Beige Metallic - Engine: 1990 Subaru EJ22 - GoWesty Syncro liftkit - Poptop Struts - 135AH of house batteries

[noganav]

[EL31415]

What AMP fuse do you use on the upgraded headlight ?

Thank you

[jacob.]

[K58]

[thatvwbusguy]

The correct fuse depends on the wattage of the bulbs you are running. Just divide the total watts of your bulbs by 12 and you have the correct fuse amperage. (A=W/V)

Remember that each headlight has its own fuse, so you would only need the 20A fuse in the high beam locations if you are running 80/100W mains and 100W highs with the 4 light stock rectangular setup (or SA Grill). The low beams can use a 15A fuse.

Always be sure to run the lowest rated fuse possible so it can do its job and save your wiring in the event of a short circuit.

[Santana]

[rubbachicken]

[thatvwbusguy]

Easy to do the relay addition without cutting any wires in a 80-85 van. Just be careful to make sure the connectors are insulated if they might bump into anything that could cause them to ground.

For the 86-91 fuse block it is common practice to use butt connectors and install the relays inline unless you have a molex removal tool and access to the proper sized pins.
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

[phlogiston]

i got a little carried away and redid the entirety of the headlight wiring. i already had some hefty 2 gauge from my alternator to the jump seat, so i put the relays there, ran new circuits to the headlights, put in new grounds and new connectors.

that's one 12 gauge circuit for each bulb (well ok, the 2 high beam bulbs on each side share a circuit). one relay each for low beams, left high, right high, and and driving lights.

has anyone tried running 130W H3 bulbs in the stock high beam enclosures? i've got some in there now, but i'm a little concerned about how hot they are getting.

the driving lights just showed up last night... i think once i put them in i will look at this all and think i went a little overboard!

[vanagonjr]

Nice clean work. In my van, that stuff would all get trashed with all the camping gear I stuff in the jump seat and I'd find myself without any lights .
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798