Upgrading to halogen headlights?

Anyone fitted one of the kits on offer eg
https://www.paddockspares.com/pm103...sion-kit-rhd-with-ring-ultra-xenon-bulbs.html



Seems good for £30 or so. Allegedly simple wiring.

I’d be interested to hear any comments .
Is there any concern about it being an “upgrade” or non original? Is it possible / better to keep original bowls and just do bulbs?

Where will it all end? Disc brakes. Coil springs. Noise insulation. Cruise control.... ;-)

Best to wire with relays to save extra load on switch

minecab said:

Best to wire with relays to save extra load on switch

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Absolutely! The switches take a beating and the contacts get hot until one of them fails. Learned from bitter personal experience. I'd been promising to fit relays for years before my main beam switch contact fried and dropped off, headlight switch was getting hot as well. Take the time and trouble and fit relays.

I concur re fitting relays if you don't you will soon be replacing light switch and indicator/dip stalk. Worth running a good earth from the multi position area on bonnet slam strip to somewhere better. One last thing check the bulb voltages when you get the kit, I chased a poor earth for hours before realising the box marked 12 volt had 24 volt bulbs in........

Thanks all, much appreciated. How do I know what sort/size relay to buy? I understand the principle but have never done it before!

A series only does 50 on a good day. How far do you need to see.

Bobsticle said:

A series only does 50 on a good day. How far do you need to see.

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It’s a fair question. My s3 will do 60, just ;-)
My truck is matt green and people tend to be late seeing me at junctions on B roads etc. Seemed that a simple headlight upgrade might help.

2 x 60 watts = 120 watts. 120 / 12 = 10 amps. I think they are usually 15 or 20 A so that's plenty. If you wire in a flasher wire it to flip the relay so it cuts dip, its not a show stopper but flashing when on dip could draw 20A.

I have a set of Wipac halogen headlamps on my 109. I'm actually thinking about getting a set of full led headlamps such as the Sunpie on Amazon.
Amazon product
There seem to be a lot of these cheaper led options (compared to the mega bucks ones) and it's hard to tell if they're worth the money, however I did get a set of Wisamic 5.75" ones for my bike, and so far I've been impressed. Lower current draw and more light than Osram night breakers. Really good cut off on them too.

I looking at them too. My thought was to try some cheapish ones and see how they work. Although we have a 70A alternator is is working hard to charge the main and lesiure batteries if the headlights and heater are on.

https://www.paddockspares.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=boomslang
The wiring loom with relays only costs £30
It's doddle to fit ( so they say )

Simon Perks said:

https://www.paddockspares.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=boomslang

It's doddle to fit ( so they say )

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Oh no it's not! But probably easier than making one from scratch.

Search for a thread called: "Have you ever fitted a Boomslang harness to a series?"
I just tried to post a link to it and cocked it up... it's been a hard last few days...

Just re-read that; rather an unfortunate choice of words there. Like I said, but in other words: been working very hard these last few days.

The ones you show in your post have side lights, probably not necessary on a Series. Paddocks also list a Wipac halogen conversion with standard H4 bulbs and no sidelights. I've fitted a pair with Osram Night Breaker bulbs and the output is excellent but I do find when compared with many modern headlights that the beam pattern on high seems very directional with little side spill, I really only notice this on winding country roads when you dont get much light spill to help see into the corner, otherwise a great upgrade on the old sealed beam units.

I got just that kit (well, this one) which is the LHD version). Together with new backing bowls, it was like going from a candlelit room to a fully lit Hollywood studio. So, good choice!

Riggwelter said:

I got just that kit (well, this one) which is the LHD version). Together with new backing bowls, it was like going from a candlelit room to a fully lit Hollywood studio. So, good choice!

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Did you use the wiring loom or just replaced them?

Worth checking the wiring as a start. Series headlights are completely unfused and no relays either. Halogens shouldn't draw any more current but relays for low and high will help reduce the voltage drop in the circuit. Sealed beams are obsolete and I'm not sure you can even get them anymore so it's a case of when rather than if you convert. Updating the wiring to something that's actually safe and not a fire hazard is a good idea regardless.

Simon Perks said:

Did you use the wiring loom or just replaced them?

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I just replaced them. Well, my garage did... using the original loom.

THE ORIGINAL REFLECTOR ARE NOT SUITED FOR HALOGEN SO WOULD REPLACE WITH NEW