Can I just swap in halogen headlamps in a 58? Find that I am doing a fair amount of night driving and the T-3's do not have much candle power by todays standards. If halogens are OK do I change both high and low beams? I was concerned re current draw on the generator/electrical and heat build up in th headlamp buckets with a fiberglass fender. Suggestions on type and part # appreciated. Thanks in advance, Ken
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Re: C1 headlamp/halogen
I would say no problem. I have been using them in my `62 for years. -
Re: C1 headlamp/halogen
Halogen lamps are generally more efficient than tungsten incandescents, so max current draw shouldn't be an issue. There is a limit to how much candlepower you can generate (risk blinding oncomming drivers) and I wouldn't expect to observe a DRAMATIC difference in light output (maybe 20-30% or so more).
If you check out scrap yard quad beam cars from the late 70 era, you just might find a set of Guide power beams that should garner partial credit on the judging field as real McCoy GM service replacement parts vs. GE/Westinghouse generic lamps....
If you really want lighting power, it is possible to install GE Aircraft landing lamps. Expect to be able to tour at night and see the fall color change in leaves of highway adjacent trees! But, these are banned in most States for their excessive 100,000+ candlepower output AND my hunch is, if you've got a correct, 1-year only, 1958 '081 headlight switch you'll find out if its built-in thermal overload circuit breaker is functional!Comment
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Re: C1 headlamp/halogen
Ken-----
No problem, at all. This is a common swap for 58+ Corvettes and just about every other car. I suggest changing BOTH high and low beam units. The low beam units will not provide a great deal of additional light than NEW-CONDITION incandescent sealed beams; output for low beams is limited by the DOT. However, if your existing lamps are old and "yellowed" in light output, I think that you will note a significant improvement with the switch to halogens.
The really big difference will be the light you'll have with the high beams. Although, obviously, you can't use these very much, when you do use them and need them, you'll notice a big difference.
For judging, you can always switch back to T-3s, if you wish.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C1 headlamp/halogen
I switched to halogens in my 68 and 70 about 15 years ago. Really light up the road when using the high beams. Told my wife to sell the originals on e-bay when I go to glory.Comment
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Re: C1 headlamp/halogen
Joe - just curious about the technology used in the new luxury cars, such as Lexus and BMW...these "purple hue" lights seem even better. Are they driven with regular 12V feeds, or, is there some type of step up transformer used in this technology? Thx, CraigComment
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Re: C1 headlamp/halogen
Craig-----
I'm afraid I don't have an answer for that one. The output of these lamps is still regulated by DOT, but these seem "brighter" or, at least, more "piercing". Somehow, I doubt that a step-up transformer is used, but it's possible. As far as I know, these cars still use a 12 volt system. That may change, too, in the near future. There is much discussion about changing the electrical architecture standard of new cars to 24, 36 or 48 volt systems. I think we'll see it in the near-to-medium term future.
On another semi-related, electrical issue, GM is going back to top terminal batteries. The 2004 Corvettes will have them. I just noticed the other day that my new 2004 Grand Prix GTP has a top terminal battery. This scares me, in a way. Such a move might result in the early demise of side terminal-only batteries in favor of "dual terminal", which Delco has been slowly phasing in, anyway, for the last several years. Dual terminals are fine, but NOT for C4s. The "dual terminal" configuration will not fit many C4s.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C1 headlamp/halogen- thx Joe! *NM*
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Re: C1 headlamp/halogen
Lumen output is what's regulated. The issue is one of safety; not blinding the oncomming driver.
But, within that legal/technical envelope, a number of 'tricks' are possible.... Things like changing the focus field to thwart illumination 'scatter' get more of the available light source power onto the illumination field and altering the 'color temperature' of the bulb (improved penetration during adverse atmospherics and 'tuning' the bulbs to human night vision perception; rod vs. cone ocular characteristics) are part of the working technology of the newer 'blue hue' driving lamps.
I can remember driving the back roads of southern France on my first trip in the late 60's.... With my rental Renault's low beams on, oncoming drivers went NUTS flashing their headlights and pulling into my lane to 'challenge' me!!!!!
I'd learn that certain European nations had a myth/etiquette regarding night driving. In rural France at that time, it was consider BAD TASTE to run anything more than parking lights in the presense of oncoming traffic!!!!! Drivers were trying to tell me to turn my headlights OFF and only run them when I was completely alone on the highway for the 'safety advantage' obtained by not switching from rod to cone to rod vision....Comment
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Re: C1 headlamp/halogen- thx Joe!
Craig,
You can buy a retrofit kit for early model Corvettes that usees the new HID lighting. The bad news is that the entire kit is over $500 last time I checked!
I am going to be putting a set in the 59 driver that I am building.
Regards, John McGrawComment
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Re: Headlamp & Light Bulb Question
Jack,
Is there a conversion factor for incadescent bulbs to convert Candlepower and or lumens to wattage or vice versa? I thought I ran across a conversion table or factor years ago and have not been able to locate it. I would think candle power or lumens would be a function of the filament and any reflectors used in the bulb. Most of the bulbs I was looking at were smaller turn signal, parking lamp and indicator bulbs. I was trying to tally up the load from all the bulbs on a vehicle, and ran into candlepower ratings that kind of foiled my attempt to see if I my meager 15 amp generator and tiny battery had the power to keep up with all the lights.
Thanks,
DougComment
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Re: C1 headlamp/halogen- thx Joe!
General Motors' Cadillac(Seville) uses a HID system by Philps. The module(ballast) or inverter and step-tansformer converts the 12 volt DC to 1200 volts AC and uses a 35 watt lamp rated for 2000 hours.Comment
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Re: Headlamp & Light Bulb Question
Just happened to pick up a Pocket reference at Harbor Freight today. It has a conversion factor for candle power to lumens and from lumens to watts, so it works out to 0.0188 cp/watt. In addition, there is another table in the book that lists the amperage draw of various bulb sizes.Comment
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Re: C1 headlamp/halogen- thx Joe!
Thx Guys!...sounds a bit steep!...CraigComment
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