Halfords Extreme Brightness Bulbs

[supersport]

The headlights on my car so bad I would do better with a torch. I was thinking about putting some Halfords Extreme Brightness bulbs in, they appear to be the same rating as the standard ones.

I was under the impression you had to be careful about what bulbs you put in the 911s as there was no relay or in the circuit and this could cause fires? Have I dreamt this?

So these Halfords bulbs should a straight and safe swap out. Has anyone else used them?

 

[plhorner]

Mark,
You're quite right regarding the relay situation, it basically means that the light switch and dipped beam stalk switch the full current. I remember one or two members fitting a relay to the circuit in the past ( I assume to prolong the life of switch or fit larger bulbs) but cannot remember the details.
I've just gone to the dark side and traded my much loved 3.2 for a 993, the lights on both were fairly terrible! However, if you do a quick search on e-bay, you'll now find some very nice kits that will allow you to install HID bulbs. These are only 35w (so won't worry the existing wiring- you will need a bigger fuse as the starting current is slightly higher though) but give out soooooo much more light! I barely need to used my main beam now (the kit is fitted the dipped beam), in fact I've had to set the lights a little lower than std as I was dazzling other road users.
The kit I bought was from Hong Kong, I was initailly a little dubious as it only cost me £35. Now its fitted, which was fairly quick and simple, I really can't fault it.

Try an E-Bay search on HID Conversions, you'll not be disappointed!

Good luck,

 

[ukmastiff]

I find top quality bulbs of the same wattage make a massive difference with no risk of electrical problems . Have you tried Osram Silver Star , I fit them to my D5 and T5 and online you can find them at 12 pounds a pair. I have just ordered a pair of Ospam nightbreakers for the 944 as they are claimed to extend the beam about 30 yards as well as the usual Osram brighter/crisper light which I can vouch for.

Regads Mas

 

[Gary C]

Just fitted the halfrauds Xenon lamps to our Polo, and they are brighter for the same 55w power, So yes they are probably worth it and they won't overheat your switch.

Question though, is the reflector poor & the glass dull, both can absorb quite a lot of the light.

 

[supersport]

I have nice new headlights as they were replaced last year. I also suspect that they may not be properly aligned.

 

[graham m]

There has been some debate regarding HID fitment and also legality (auto self levelling & washers) on 'other' Porsche forums plus in Auto Express. Projector headlights as per std 993 fitment are ok to be converted as their design works with either std or high output HID bulbs. - however the old reflector bowls and lens design leads to too much light scatter and become in-effective, dazzling oncoming traffic.
That said, any improvement over the standard fitment candles must be an improvement!
Also remember that the cabling in the cars will be old, and suffer from volt drop due to the age, oxisiastion etc offering addition resistance; fitting relays with new correctly sized cabling will reduce the volt drop and give you full voltage at the bulb. This modification will on its own upgrade the lights and get the wattage output up.
Fitting relays should not be an expensive excercise - 12v 40A relay from RS Componenets is under a fiver. The cars switchgear then only controls the relay switching circuit - the new cable carrying the power direct to the bulbs.
Graham

 

[totsnap]

Hi Graham
Thats sound advice - thanks for sharing it!
I have been for some time planning an upgrade to my carrera, I have for a few years run the Osram white bulbs that offer a small improvement over the standard fit 'candles' - however I have not chnaged any wiring or relays (yet).
The HID conversion is still appealing to me and once I have seen a car with them in the flesh I will make my decison based on a demo of the HID kit.
Do you know what the spec/ref number of the req'd relays is please?
We also have a 1972 VW Beetle, and it has to be said that the headlights are as good as the 911 - or should that be the 911 is as bad as the Beetle..... LOL
Any other info would be most welcome[]

Cheers

Adam

 

[graham m]

Any 40A - 12 v relay with spade terminals should be easy to mount. The 40A relay would have a theoretical wattage capacity of 40x12 = 480w so will easily take 2 x 55w bulbs allowing for current in-rush when switching.
The advantage is then that the stalks only switch very low power - 1.6w.
You can try Maplin -
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=6436
or RS Components
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=3080611
Good luck - and remember to either use a fused supply or fit an in-line fuse.
Graham

 

[rak]

I got this kit West Engineering and found it really easy to fit. If you know your way around the wiring system, then you can probably do one yourself. I also added the Halfords extra brightness bulbs so I can actually see at night-time now...

 

[totsnap]

Thanks Graham & Rak
[]

 

[Mike58]

I'm sure this is NOT recommended but I used road illegal rally spec 80/100W bulbs with no probs for years, quite a difference. Halfords still sell them , just fitted a pair to my wifes Merc A-Class - result!!

 

[Gary C]

ORIGINAL: Mike58

I'm sure this is NOT recommended but I used road illegal rally spec 80/100W bulbs with no probs for years, quite a difference. Halfords still sell them , just fitted a pair to my wifes Merc A-Class -  result!!

Always confused about this, The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (or as amended 2005) for main and dipped beam do not specify a max wattage, so in theory they are not illegal.