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FRNKNSTNGHIA Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2010 Posts: 411 Location: Kissimmee, FL
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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I have purchased the motorcycle headlights mentioned above. Although my car is far from completion. Yet when it is completed I will take pics from 5, 10, and 15 yards to verify beam pattern... I also intended on driving light/fog lights which I may be able to compensate if there is an issue...
But I'm sure someone out there will do it before a year... lol |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13958 Location: Southampton U.K.
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akear Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2013 Posts: 359 Location: Los Angeles
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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mfitzsimor wrote: |
If you look at the pattern of fluting on the glass, you can see that they are indeed for a right hand drive car. The beam pattern needs to dip down on the side of the car that meets oncoming traffic. |
Thanks for pointing this out. So looking at the pattern from the pics in the two Ebay websites I posted earlier, I now see the patterns are the exact opposites of one another and "dipping" to the correct side. Top, US site, and dipping left in direction of travel, and bottom, Australia site, and dipping the other way. So even though the part numbers are the same, these are clearly two different versions: LHD and RHD. Not sure why the US site advertises these as motorcycle lamps but I've convinced myself they are not but indeed auto lamps and correct for LHD. So I am ordering them up and will let all know what I get and what the pattern is actually like.
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philermonic Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2010 Posts: 361 Location: Orange County, California
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 10:26 pm Post subject: |
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akear wrote: |
mfitzsimor wrote: |
If you look at the pattern of fluting on the glass, you can see that they are indeed for a right hand drive car. The beam pattern needs to dip down on the side of the car that meets oncoming traffic. |
Thanks for pointing this out. So looking at the pattern from the pics in the two Ebay websites I posted earlier, I now see the patterns are the exact opposites of one another and "dipping" to the correct side. Top, US site, and dipping left in direction of travel, and bottom, Australia site, and dipping the other way. So even though the part numbers are the same, these are clearly two different versions: LHD and RHD. Not sure why the US site advertises these as motorcycle lamps but I've convinced myself they are not but indeed auto lamps and correct for LHD. So I am ordering them up and will let all know what I get and what the pattern is actually like.
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Many/some motorcycles have right & left headlights _________________ "A camel is a horse designed by a Committee" |
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mfitzsimor Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2004 Posts: 171 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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I believe that part of what makes them a motorcycle headlight IS the convex shape of the lens. The convex shape helps create a rounder, more diffuse "bean" shaped light pattern which better covers the road when a motorcycle is leaned over in a turn.
A flat auto headlight lens creates a sharper, more horizontal beam pattern that doesn't have to compensate for a vehicle that is leaning over from side to side. Less light is dispersed where its not needed, its less of a compromise and better overall.
Also beware that while better than a sealed beam, you get what you pay for. When I was searching reviews, the Autopal lenses seem to rate as "good for a cheap lens" but the beam pattern is definitely more diffuse and the cutoff not as sharp as a more expensive Hella or Cibie lens. Some of the more performance oriented motorcycle folks rated them pretty harshly.
Mark
(BMW R100RT and R80ST) _________________ portland, or
69 cypress green ghia coupe
82 vanagon TD
86 quantum syncro |
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glutamodo The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004 Posts: 26325 Location: Douglas, WY
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 5:27 am Post subject: |
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I bought some of those Autopal bulbs a while back and haven't had the chance yet to put them on my Baja bug. Here's a photo of one of them and the box it came in:
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akear Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2013 Posts: 359 Location: Los Angeles
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:14 am Post subject: |
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Well that definitively answers the left hand/right hand question; thanks! @mfitzsimor... I have the Hellas on my Datsun and they are a great lamp, but they are flat and I don't think they look right on the KG. So for convex lamps I think the options are just these or the Cibies. Thats $30 v $160 so well worth trying out the $30 option. Since I already have the Hellas I can do a side-by-side comparison and let all know how the Autopals measure up. They are on order. Thanks everyone. |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13958 Location: Southampton U.K.
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philermonic Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2010 Posts: 361 Location: Orange County, California
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:40 am Post subject: |
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John Moxon wrote: |
It looks like for the RHD lens I can either buy from the Australian outlet (more expensive + shipping) or find a source here in the UK which I've failed to find so far.
Not sure how these Autopal lenses will perform; they are assymetrical (takes care of LH/RH) but they are marked "for off-road only": http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Autopal-178mm-Assyme...7675.l2557 Anyone know the implications of the "for off-road only" stipulation? |
Should be fine unless you are stopped on the M3 by a Park Ranger or a Flautist. _________________ "A camel is a horse designed by a Committee" |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13958 Location: Southampton U.K.
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mfitzsimor Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2004 Posts: 171 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 9:27 am Post subject: |
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John,
I would question the seller about what they mean by "Assymetrical". The pattern of fluting looks to me like its for a left hand drive car.
If the lamps are truly adaptable to RHD or LHD autos the lens should have a bi-directional "code" arrow below the numbers on the glass. This indicates that it has a bulb holder that can be rotated through an angle of 30 degrees to lock the bulb in either a "Right Hand Traffic" or "Left Hand Traffic" position.
mark _________________ portland, or
69 cypress green ghia coupe
82 vanagon TD
86 quantum syncro |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13958 Location: Southampton U.K.
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 9:46 am Post subject: |
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mfitzsimor wrote: |
John,
I would question the seller about what they mean by "Assymetrical". The pattern of fluting looks to me like its for a left hand drive car.
If the lamps are truly adaptable to RHD or LHD autos the lens should have a bi-directional "code" arrow below the numbers on the glass. This indicates that it has a bulb holder that can be rotated through an angle of 30 degrees to lock the bulb in either a "Right Hand Traffic" or "Left Hand Traffic" position.
mark |
Yes thanks for that Mark I think I'll try to source a RHD glass from here in the UK or buy the RHD ones from Australia.
I wasn't thinking straight "symmetrical" means same both sides and "asymmetrical" the opposite...oops. _________________ John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13958 Location: Southampton U.K.
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philermonic Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2010 Posts: 361 Location: Orange County, California
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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:26 am Post subject: |
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Here is what I have found John:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=524926
From what I am reading the lower wattage lamp would be a good call.
I gather from your description even the 35 watt H4's would be an improvement over the 6 volt US Standard lamps you currently (no pun) operate.
Having said that - unless there is another fundamental reason to stay 6v, perhaps it is time for the big 12v upgrade?
I've said it before that the H4 55/60 watt headlamps I have are my favorite functional up grade I have had done to my Ghia.
Seeing and being seen, don't leave home without it _________________ "A camel is a horse designed by a Committee" |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13958 Location: Southampton U.K.
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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:00 am Post subject: |
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philermonic wrote: |
From what I am reading the lower wattage lamp would be a good call.
I gather from your description even the 35 watt H4's would be an improvement over the 6 volt US Standard lamps you currently (no pun) operate.
Having said that - unless there is another fundamental reason to stay 6v, perhaps it is time for the big 12v upgrade?
I've said it before that the H4 55/60 watt headlamps I have are my favorite functional up grade I have had done to my Ghia.
Seeing and being seen, don't leave home without it |
Thanks for that Phil...hadn't seen that topic. Yes I'm pretty sure the 35W bulbs would still be quite a useful upgrade and hopefully within the capacity of the 6volt system.
Don't really want to go 12v as it would not only involve the usual Generator /Regulator/Wiper Motor/Starter/Battery but electric fuel pump for my supercharger set up too. _________________ John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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philermonic Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2010 Posts: 361 Location: Orange County, California
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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:19 am Post subject: |
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John Moxon wrote: |
philermonic wrote: |
From what I am reading the lower wattage lamp would be a good call.
I gather from your description even the 35 watt H4's would be an improvement over the 6 volt US Standard lamps you currently (no pun) operate.
Having said that - unless there is another fundamental reason to stay 6v, perhaps it is time for the big 12v upgrade?
I've said it before that the H4 55/60 watt headlamps I have are my favorite functional up grade I have had done to my Ghia.
Seeing and being seen, don't leave home without it |
Thanks for that Phil...hadn't seen that topic. Yes I'm pretty sure the 35W bulbs would still be quite a useful upgrade and hopefully within the capacity of the 6volt system.
Don't really want to go 12v as it would not only involve the usual Generator /Regulator/Wiper Motor/Starter/Battery but electric fuel pump for my supercharger set up too. |
I still have the 6 volt starter on my car - let's talk cranking power!
Seriously - I imagine there IS a way to use and modify the electronics to keep the 6 volt fuel pump functional if you had a 12 volt system, I can also imagine it being a PITA, and NOT what I would choose to do.
Hope it works out!! _________________ "A camel is a horse designed by a Committee" |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13958 Location: Southampton U.K.
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KGCoupe Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005 Posts: 3580 Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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John Moxon wrote: |
Yeah I wouldn't bother with the starter either if I went 12v.
I added to that topic on the Oval Forum to see if there were any updates from the original contributors. |
Darn it, John - you beat me to the chance of asking you to please post your question in the existing topic! |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13958 Location: Southampton U.K.
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akear Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2013 Posts: 359 Location: Los Angeles
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:14 am Post subject: |
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akear wrote: |
Well that definitively answers the left hand/right hand question; thanks! @mfitzsimor... I have the Hellas on my Datsun and they are a great lamp, but they are flat and I don't think they look right on the KG. So for convex lamps I think the options are just these or the Cibies. Thats $30 v $160 so well worth trying out the $30 option. Since I already have the Hellas I can do a side-by-side comparison and let all know how the Autopals measure up. They are on order. Thanks everyone. |
Update... I am very impressed with the Autopals. Bright with a nice broad beam pattern and sharp cutoff. They seem every bit as good as my Hellas at a fraction of the price. Also not sure why they are marked "off road". The sharp cut off seems designed for oncoming traffic. Maybe it's just that they have not been USDOT approved. |
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