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Triumph TR6 - Bright Headlights

Has anyone had experience using this technology as a replacement for the traditional sealed beam headlights....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33710&item=2459165115

John Parfitt
1973 5 speed.
John Parfitt

I'm sure we'll get a good discussion from this John, but I'd be certain to use a relay on each of the lamps.

That way it really doesn't much matter longs's you've got a decent output alternator like the Bosch unit I used. I went with Hi-Output lights on my 6, using relays, and it's working out VERY well.

I frequently drive to work while it's still dark (darn early classes) and BOY do they light up the road.

hth,

Jim
Jim Deatsch

HI John
Are they legal everywhere? Some 3rd party lighting systems around here are getting nailed as too bright. Look like nice lights.

James what do you do? Nosy I know. But I have keeper of the Goose, Brits, Handles R us, and now "classes"? You must keep your daytimer on the night table? No wonder you like that goose. Your old Rooster probably passed away from getting up too early??

Bill
Bill Brayford

The Handles R Us was merely a database for classic and antique automobiles door and window handles and the like Bill. It's long gone. <G>

I just do TheBriton now along with my work for Xerox. I teach new product training to the technicians from the field though that is coming to an end and I'm going back to my job as a Field Engineer.

The rooster was a lightweight. <G> Actually I am an early 'bird' and that's why I'm in bed by 10. Makes it difficult when I work in the shop till 8:00. Grin.

Jim (Goose Retainer)
Jim Deatsch

Guys, what do these headlights look like on the car? They don't give the same appearance as the stock lights. And Jim, since we all know I'm not afraid of appearing totally ignorant, what would the purpose of relays be instead of just a direct switch? John. The real John, for SoFl.
JL Bryan

John,

I cover your question in chapter 9 under the heading "Why use relays." For those who don't have a copy of my book:

WHY USE RELAYS

If a relay is nothing more than an electrically operated switch, why bother using one. Why not just use a switch and be done with it; using a relay in addition to a switch has to cost more. There are a few good reasons:

1. Current capacity: often, for esthetics or space concerns, it is desirable to use small switches to operate high current loads. When these small switches lack the capacity for switching heavy loads without damage, a relay can be used as a go-between, allowing a small current through the switch to operate a relay coil, and using the relay contacts to operate the heavy load. In this situation, a relay is often referred to as an “interposing” relay, i.e., it is interposed between the load and the switch.

2. Ease of replacement: It can be quite difficult sometimes to get to a dash mounted switch to replace it, and it can be extremely difficult to get to some of the mechanically operated switches, such as the reverse switch in the transmission, for replacement. Relays, on the other hand, can be conveniently mounted so as to make replacement easy. In a TR250 or a TR6, in fact, they are mounted on a small bracket under the hood, where they can be removed and replaced with very little difficulty. Even if the primary switch can handle the load, they still fail after time, and so will a relay, so ease of replacement is a very important consideration.

3. Contact multiplication: not as often a factor in automotive usage as in industrial applications, using a multiple pole relay can allow a simple on-off switch to operate several devices at once. In my workshop, for example, I have a 12 pole, double throw relay, left over from some long forgotten project. Using this relay and a SPST switch, I could operate up to 24 independent devices at once - turning 12 off, while turning another 12 on.

More appropriate to automotive usage would be the use of one switch to control two relays, one for each of a pair of high powered driving lights. One set of contacts in the switch controls two relay contacts. Of course, you could always buy a switch with ample capacity to operate both lamps, or a double pole switch, but it may be that the switch you prefer for esthetic reason has only on set of low current contacts.

4. COMPLEX FUNCTIONS: prior to about 1972, Triumph used a simple DPDT (one NO and one NC contact) switch, operating a relay, to control the hazard flasher. In ‘72, the relay was eliminated, resulting in the need for a more complex switch. The pre ‘72 switch can be replaced with an off the shelf switch, but not the later models.

You may also want to “interlock” certain functions, such as allowing your driving lights to be on if and only if you have both the driving light switch on and the headlights on high, or allowing the starter to operate only if the transmission is in neutral. Again, it may be possible to do all of this with only switches, but the use of relays often greatly simplifies things.
Dan Masters

This might be a case of different nationalities having different tastes but personally I think these lights on TR6 would be the automotive eqivalent of putting Audrey Hepburn in gold hotpants!!
Ron
R. Algie

Thanks, Dan, I haven't read Chapter 9 yet, but it makes sense.

And R. Aglie from the good old UK, I totally agree. John.
JL Bryan

Hi Jim
Small world RickC is into servicing German hybrid plotters he gets to see the world. I have service only laserprinter business aprox 15 years. IBM, Canon when copiers were wet backgound. Switched to the laserprinters in mid 80s. Pretty much only do high end HP (Canon Based) now.

Ron good analogy.
Bill Brayford

I have to agree with Ron which is why I used the hi output lamps that look like conventional seal beams.

Hey Bill, I do the iGen3 system. Been out of the office and other stuff for a while now. Looks like I'll do this till I retire and move in with John. <G>

Jim
Jim Deatsch

iGen3 eh, OH lord another hotdog..:) Never seen one live. But I hear the base price of a million CDN. does not include the required onsight suite and executive parking garage for the service engineer..:)

Whats with the $995,000 base "price" tag? Oh you want all the doodads that make it actualy produce. That runs 3.5 mil.

Old humble black and white Bill
Bill Brayford

Hey Ron,
If gold hot pants will make Audrey Hepburn look better, strap them on her. As far as putting a better set of lights on, Great Idea. We all have made modifications to our TR's, either for safety, performance, comfort or looks. If anything fits into these catagories and it fits the budget, why not! While I don't really care for the look of this particular light for the TR6, I am certainly in favor of a better than stock light. I had thought about converting mine over to the Silver Stars, like what I put on my motorcycle. This is a great head lamp for a motorcycle, so it should also work wonders for the TR.
Arnold Newton

Now Bill. You just haven't had a chance to run one yet. <G>

6 feeders, 4 stackers (with one interposer) will get you there for about 1.5 Mil US. Course unvarying color across the entire job and no inboard-outboard variations and 600k a month? Yep, it's not cheap.

And that parking place? You DO supply the automobile for the Service Engineer, right? We lowly Field Engineers get picked up at the airport using airport transfers sevenoaks you know. <G>

Jim (beer IS on you, you know)
Jim Deatsch

Hey John, I put on a the flat faced Bosch H4 lens and bulb conversion set(from crappy tire). You can buy a hotter bulb - 55/100 - that does't seem to bother the electrical system. Follow the aiming instructions from the Bosch website and you'll get regular but whiter low beams and improved, brighter highs. SC
Steve C (member)

This thread was discussed between 10/02/2004 and 14/02/2004

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