Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Defender => Topic started by: Mark_Solesbury on November 07, 2008, 21:53:55

Title: Upgraded Lights
Post by: Mark_Solesbury on November 07, 2008, 21:53:55
Now ive got a winch, ive lost the spots in the middle.

I want to upgrade the front lights in my 90 - the ones that are in it fill up with water and the reflective bit has started to cloud.

Is it worth just getting two more standard ones, or upgrading?

Paddocks have these

http://www.paddockspares.com/pp/DEFENDER/Electrics/Wipac_Crystal_Halogen_Headlamp_Conversion_Kit_%28pair%29_-_left_hand_dip_%28UK_and_Australia%29.html

(http://www.paddockspares.com/pp/DEFENDER/Electrics/images/pm678.jpg)

I want something that will remain water tight, and give good light.

Any Ideas?

Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: Range Rover Blues on November 07, 2008, 22:56:13
I've had 3 sets, they are a little better if you use the bulbs that come with them but I tried fitting the Halfords plus 50% bulbs and the beampattern was horrible, a big black spot right where I wanted to see.  My MOT guy always commented on the lousy pattern too, though in practice you can see ok with them.

Personally (and that's all it is) Ilike the cheapo Ring/Autopal lights quite honestly, or i=f you can get a pair of late RRC Quadoptic WIPAC lights, these have a plastic reflector that doesn't rust and a nicepattern.

Another thing, I fitted HID to the clear lenses and they were rubbish, put them int he quadoptic and they are fantastic.

Oh, and I broke one of the plastic type, they're supposed to be unbreakable.  Don't know how but it had a massive crack accross the front.

So, in short if all you want to do is buy 2 headlights then yes they will make a small difference but they don't work well with other headlight upgrades.  In my opinion.
Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: topless matt on November 08, 2008, 10:02:53
Does your new winch bumper have an a-bar built in, if so just move them so that they sit above the bar.
If you dont have an a bar, you can always drill a couple of holes in the bonnet and mount the spots there, thats what my mate has done.
Either way, they dont get in the way that much when driving :D :lol:
Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: V8MoneyPit on November 08, 2008, 13:49:41
We sell these for Mini's and, TBH, I think they are more a style item. I would go with Wipac Quadoptics every time. We only carry the metal backed ones, but they do offer plastic backed as RRB says. The individual part is supplied under Wipac number S6008. You will need H4 bulbs for these.

HTH.
Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: zulublue on November 08, 2008, 14:44:16
I have the Wipac plastic ones fitted as I was fed up with getting water in, these do have a better seal but you still need to do some work on them.

Seal all the way around the outside where the lens joins the reflector with clear silicone.
There is a breather hole on the top with some gauze over it, cover again with silicone.
Put your bulb in, connect the sealing boot and roll back the part that will touch the back of the reflector, put a bead of silicone around the rubber then seal it to the reflector.
Lastly silicone the inner part of the rubber to the metal part of the bulb.

Leave them 24hrs then enjoy decent lights that don't leak.

I'm not saying over time they will stay 100%, and if underwater for an hour you may get some condensation in, but mine have been great water over the bonnet for a 100 meters and no problem.
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii294/zulublue/100_4102.jpg)
Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: tack43 on November 09, 2008, 21:10:38
I've used those very lights with "bright white" bulbs. It's got to be 10 times better than standard sealed beams, but, as zulublue said they need to be sealed. I've done virtually the same sealant wise and had no water ingress after several submersions. Same cannot be said for the cab.  :grin:
Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: Mark_Solesbury on November 21, 2008, 15:42:13
Hiya

Anyone got a link for these Wipac Quadoptics lights?
Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: DogVanMan on November 21, 2008, 16:00:47
Try ebay Mark. There are five ads on there currently for them.

That said, I am running the clear lens Wipacs that you first asked about with Phillips x-treme power bulbs. I've waterproofed them as described above. The light is outstanding, with a very broad even spread. I was running quadoptics with the same bulbs before I made the change and the clear lens ones are definitely a bit better with these particular bulbs (I can't speak for any other combination). The cut-off on low beam is sharper, like modern cars, which means I can adjust them slightly higher without blinding people. There's not much in it though.

I'm not far from you, if you want to come over one night and have a look for yourself, you're welcome.

Graeme
Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: davidlandy on November 21, 2008, 20:24:30
wipac quadoptics are whats on  mine - think they are standard

Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: Jake on November 21, 2008, 20:52:45
There's quite a few upgrades for Defender candle's
These are the IPF replacment head lights
(http://www.devon4x4.com/components/com_shop/user/ipf910.jpg)
Team them up with a couple of these
(http://www.devon4x4.com/components/com_shop/user/ipf_lamps.jpg)
and power them with a uprated loom
(http://www.devon4x4.com/components/com_shop/user/1202232361-M002_headlight_loom.jpg)
or, just fit a HID kit
(http://www.devon4x4.com/components/com_shop/user/1213688841-HID_Conversion_Kit.jpg)
 :D
Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: tack43 on November 22, 2008, 12:58:34
Bear in mind 110/80 watt bulbs are illegal for road use!  :police: Should state on packet "For offroad use only"
Title: Re: Upgraded Lights
Post by: Jake on November 22, 2008, 14:41:56
Bear in mind 110/80 watt bulbs are illegal for road use!  :police: Should state on packet "For offroad use only"
They do  ;)
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