The Brick-yard Homepage Brickwerks
Forum Home Forum Home > LT, Crafter & Sprinter Section > LT, Crafter & Sprinter Tech
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Dim headlights.
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Dim headlights.

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
dieseldog View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 30 Aug 11
Location: West Wales
Status: Offline
Points: 117
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dieseldog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Dim headlights.
    Posted: 25 Sep 11 at 19:30
Qur 1989 LT28D has the whitest headlight bulbs in my village, but the dimmest lights - can anyone shed any light on this, 't would be brilliant if someone could (multi-puns aside).......
keep on truckin';
LT28 2.4D Florida, 1989;
Back to Top
volition82 View Drop Down
Yardie
Yardie
Avatar

Joined: 06 Jan 10
Location: somerset
Status: Offline
Points: 972
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote volition82 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 11 at 20:35

I think the van lights are a bit rubbish, mine has 100w bulbs (which I think are illegal) and the lights still aren't that bright.  Other than that check your battery and alternator output.

1989 LT35 - 2.4 Lpg/Petrol - Converted To Camper
Back to Top
dieseldog View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 30 Aug 11
Location: West Wales
Status: Offline
Points: 117
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dieseldog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 11 at 20:59
Ta Groupie. The fog and reversing lights are excellent, just dim headlights, dipped n main beam. On my T3 the Same bulbs were like daylight thru the small round lights. 100 watters are legal with glass lights.
keep on truckin';
LT28 2.4D Florida, 1989;
Back to Top
GT500 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 02 Jul 09
Location: leeds
Status: Offline
Points: 145
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GT500 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Sep 11 at 00:33
100 watts will burn out your light switch. been there....

HIDs hi los in mine. gone from candles to the brightest on the road!
Rob... The only LT on 18" wheels.
Back to Top
ELVIS View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar
Silence is golden, gaffa tape is silver

Joined: 04 Nov 06
Location: Promised Land
Status: Offline
Points: 9982
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ELVIS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Sep 11 at 01:23
fit a pair of relays?
 
 Have done it to all me T3s now as have plenty of others.
 
Pair of boggo standard relays from motor factors, splice into main and dipped beam wiring AFTER the switch (one relay for main and one for dipped beams). Wire fused relays straight to live terminals on back of fusebox.
 Make sure you put relays in AFTER switch to avoid burning it out.
 
 You now have a full on ,chubby giving, 13v ish at the bulbs instead of the 3.2V that vw gave you.
 
I use 80/100w bulbs aswell - i know they are technically not *ahem* 'fully compliant. But a 80w bulb in a well adjusted light dazzles less than a 40w bulb not adjusted, you dig?
 
 
Www.justgiving.com/ELVIS-SUMMERS

Back to Top
AndyT View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 16 May 08
Location: Ammanford
Status: Offline
Points: 2274
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AndyT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Sep 11 at 09:58
I'd check the earth and voltage to each light before I spent any dosh.
Upgrading the bulbs and adding relays should give you brighter lights but be very careful with the wiring as you are doubling the amount of current going through.
The extra heat inside each light unit may also be an issue long term.
LT28 1979 2.0 Pampas Nevada Camper LPG 93K, 1980 T3 A/C Camper 98K,1994 RRC 3.9 LPG 120k , 1998 Audi A6 Est 2.5 V6 diesel 127k

Back to Top
mat_the_cat View Drop Down
Vanorak
Vanorak
Avatar

Joined: 06 May 09
Location: North Wales
Status: Offline
Points: 1862
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mat_the_cat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Sep 11 at 10:36
Fitting relays won't overload existing wiring - they will reduce load on it. Just make sure that where you connect to on the fuse box can take the extra current.
Mid engined, 6 cylinder, turbocharged 2 seater - it can only be a VW LT!
Back to Top
GT500 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 02 Jul 09
Location: leeds
Status: Offline
Points: 145
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GT500 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 11 at 08:02
HIDs are 35 watts.

Full kit was £45.
Rob... The only LT on 18" wheels.
Back to Top
Canada LT28 View Drop Down
Vanorak
Vanorak
Avatar

Joined: 03 Jan 10
Location: Toronto
Status: Offline
Points: 1632
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Canada LT28 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 11 at 11:48
What is the most wattage we can use without mucking up the relay? My right side is dimmer than the left and the left sucks.LOL
94 LT28 Doka 2.4D
Slow and built to stay that way
87 T3 soon to be a camper
Back to Top
mat_the_cat View Drop Down
Vanorak
Vanorak
Avatar

Joined: 06 May 09
Location: North Wales
Status: Offline
Points: 1862
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mat_the_cat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 11 at 12:16
Depends what relay you fit - typically 40A for a standard 4 or 5 pin automotive relay with spade connections. Which, at a nominal voltage of 12V should be enough for 480 watts of light. 160/100w H4 bulbs are the largest I've seen, but 130/90w more common. Don't know about availability over there. There's no law AFAIK specifically stating higher wattage bulbs are illegal, but for UK use they have to be E marked. I've never found a higher wattage bulb that is E marked, although I use 55/100w bulbs in one of my vehicles, on the basis that if someone is coming towards me I will have dipped my lights anyway. (And if they don't dip, they get it full force!)

Or HIDs. I use them on the LT and are great, although the beam pattern is a little strange. No evidence of extra dazzle to other road users but these are also not legal for road use unless self levelling and with headlight washers. New MOT changes planned from Jan 2012 specifically check for compliance so we've been getting away with it for now, not for much longer.

The fact that one is dimmer than the other says you've got a wiring problem, high(er) resistance in one than the other. Re-wiring it via the switch as it was when new would likely give 90% of the improvement that a relay would, but is easier just to fit a relay and use the existing high resistance path simply to switch the low current of the relay coil.
Mid engined, 6 cylinder, turbocharged 2 seater - it can only be a VW LT!
Back to Top
dieseldog View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 30 Aug 11
Location: West Wales
Status: Offline
Points: 117
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dieseldog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 11 at 13:34
Elvis, could you please explain how / why VW only give us 3.2 volts at the headlight? What are HID hilo's?
keep on truckin';
LT28 2.4D Florida, 1989;
Back to Top
Canada LT28 View Drop Down
Vanorak
Vanorak
Avatar

Joined: 03 Jan 10
Location: Toronto
Status: Offline
Points: 1632
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Canada LT28 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 11 at 23:16
Originally posted by mat_the_cat mat_the_cat wrote:

Depends what relay you fit - typically 40A for a standard 4 or 5 pin automotive relay with spade connections. Which, at a nominal voltage of 12V should be enough for 480 watts of light. 160/100w H4 bulbs are the largest I've seen, but 130/90w more common. Don't know about availability over there. There's no law AFAIK specifically stating higher wattage bulbs are illegal, but for UK use they have to be E marked. I've never found a higher wattage bulb that is E marked, although I use 55/100w bulbs in one of my vehicles, on the basis that if someone is coming towards me I will have dipped my lights anyway. (And if they don't dip, they get it full force!)

Or HIDs. I use them on the LT and are great, although the beam pattern is a little strange. No evidence of extra dazzle to other road users but these are also not legal for road use unless self levelling and with headlight washers. New MOT changes planned from Jan 2012 specifically check for compliance so we've been getting away with it for now, not for much longer.

The fact that one is dimmer than the other says you've got a wiring problem, high(er) resistance in one than the other. Re-wiring it via the switch as it was when new would likely give 90% of the improvement that a relay would, but is easier just to fit a relay and use the existing high resistance path simply to switch the low current of the relay coil.


I figured there was probably either a ground issue or corroded connectors somewhere. I will check it out. In canada and the US there is no national testing like your MOT. Here most provinces only make you do a safety when you sell the truck/car and as long as the lights work they are OK.

I'm going to look for a supplier for the HIDs here. I assume it is the same connection as normal halogens.

Just a note, other than a MB 240D I used to have this is the only vehicle I have seen with movable headlights (aside from the french filth of course)
94 LT28 Doka 2.4D
Slow and built to stay that way
87 T3 soon to be a camper
Back to Top
mat_the_cat View Drop Down
Vanorak
Vanorak
Avatar

Joined: 06 May 09
Location: North Wales
Status: Offline
Points: 1862
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mat_the_cat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 11 at 09:46
Originally posted by Canada LT28 Canada LT28 wrote:

I'm going to look for a supplier for the HIDs here. I assume it is the same connection as normal halogens.

They will plug into one of the old headlamp connectors, and also have a 12V feed from the battery or fusebox. You also have to mount a couple of little boxes (ballasts) to step up the 12V to about 20,000V to start up the HID bulbs.

Originally posted by dieseldog dieseldog wrote:

could you please explain how / why VW only give us 3.2 volts at the headlight? What are HID hilo's?

I think he means that VW designed the current to flow all the way from the battery through the ignition switch then back to the headlights, rather than through a relay with a shorter path. Fine when new but now they're old there is a lot of potential for voltage drop, so you won't get full battery voltage at the headlights.
HID hi/lo bulbs have one arc which is the illumination source. This is moved by a solenoid between dipped and main beam positions.


Edited by mat_the_cat - 29 Sep 11 at 09:47
Mid engined, 6 cylinder, turbocharged 2 seater - it can only be a VW LT!
Back to Top
dieseldog View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 30 Aug 11
Location: West Wales
Status: Offline
Points: 117
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dieseldog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 11 at 09:51
Thanks for all that guys. I now rely on supplementary light from fogs n spots, really "brilliant";


I rock,therefore I am.
keep on truckin';
LT28 2.4D Florida, 1989;
Back to Top
volition82 View Drop Down
Yardie
Yardie
Avatar

Joined: 06 Jan 10
Location: somerset
Status: Offline
Points: 972
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote volition82 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Oct 11 at 18:55

As i've got 100w bulbs and GT500 mentioned that it burns out the light switch I thought i'd better fit relays as per Elvis's post.

If anybody decides to do the same, when you put the sidelights on if the dipped main beams come on as well you have dim dip wiring on your van which needs to be disconnected.  For those of you that don't know (as I didn't until I started this job), dim dip is an extra wiring circuit which puts the dipped main beams on at around 30% when the sidelights are on (only with the ignition on).
 
To disconnect it you'll find a small coil with two yellow wires attached to it on the rear side of the front passenger wheel arch.  Just disconnect the multi-plug and your lights will work as they should.


Edited by volition82 - 29 Oct 11 at 18:58
1989 LT35 - 2.4 Lpg/Petrol - Converted To Camper
Back to Top
max and caddy View Drop Down
Vanorak
Vanorak
Avatar

Joined: 12 Dec 09
Location: Lancaster..uk
Status: Offline
Points: 4866
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote max and caddy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Oct 11 at 19:19
standard round lamps can give a decent amount of light output even with standard bulbs...on my old MK1 golf i had crap lights so i measured the voltage at the bulb with the bulb lit...9,5 volts! a pair off relays and it was like...................wait for it............NIGHT AND DAY! LOL
 
i am like SO funny!
     
Back to Top
pete wotton View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 08 Dec 08
Location: Essex
Status: Offline
Points: 91
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pete wotton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Nov 11 at 17:34
Hi all
 
I used to rely on fog lights for a bit of extra light then went the HID route and could'nt believe the difference, they really are BRILLIANT !!!!!!
 
Pete LOL
Back to Top
GT500 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 02 Jul 09
Location: leeds
Status: Offline
Points: 145
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GT500 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 11 at 11:55
Good man Pete!
Night and day difference...
Rob... The only LT on 18" wheels.
Back to Top
funky_monkey View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 09
Location: River Ouse
Status: Offline
Points: 61
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote funky_monkey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 11 at 23:26
the quickest method of testing faults with dim heads is "the wander lead method"
1 attach a long cable from your positive battery terminal
2 turn your lights on,
3 test a the lamp to see which is positive 
4 touch your cable (wander lead) to that terminal and see the brightness change,
 
if there is a big difference in brightness then you know your ground is fine so that rules that out, then it will most likely be  dirty switch terminals (try bridging the switch) or as others have mentioned the relay terminals try bridging the relay terminals,  bigger wattage lamps are fine if the circuit is fused correctly but whos to say someone hasnt put a larger fuse on the circuit in the past, as that is what protects the cable from overload,
 
hope this helps
Back to Top
Louishudson1 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 20 Jan 20
Location: Wales
Status: Offline
Points: 1
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Louishudson1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 20 at 11:42
hey, do you have a link the hid's you bought? Thanks 
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.06
Copyright ©2001-2023 Web Wiz Ltd.

The WebThis site