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MG MGA - halogen lighting

Just got home from a 50 mile drive in the dark. Have made up my mind that I'm going to do something about the dim headlights on my '59 roadster this winter. I know that there is info in the archives about updating to halogen headlamps. What have you folks tried and how has it worked out for you. Moss has the halogen headlight set for $102.95 with replacable H4 bulbs, and also the Hella Vision Plus halogen headlamps for $37.95. Any thoughts here?
How about the brake, taillights, and running lights?
Thanks for any tips......Jerry
Jerry Murphy

Jerry - The first thing that I would do is to check out the wiring to the headlights, including the grounds. I had a bullet connector for the head lights in our MGB that started corroding and got to the point that it was generating so much heat that it burned the insulation a few inches back from the connection. Of course, this much voltage drop at the connection transelated into a dim head light. I redid all of the head light connectors using the Posi-lock <http://www.posi-lock.com/> connectors and the lights are now back to original brightness.

You also need to check the ground points for each head light to insure that you are getting a good connection at each light. See my article on ground point preparation at: http://www.omgtr.ca/technical/General%20Technical/grounding.htm

Since halagon head lights draw more current than regular head lights, the above precautions are necessary to insure that they will give you the light you are paying for. You also need to check how much current the halagon lights draw. Some draw munc more current than others and you generator puts out a very limited amount of current (somewhere in the order of 19 amps) so it is very easy to wind up overloading the generator and wind up drawing a much greater amount of current from the battery.
Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

I am running regular sealed beam Wagner BriteLite halogens I bought from Walmart. I'm not sure what the wattage is. I am very happy with them. They light up the road very well. I am running the standard generator and have not seen any issues with the electrical system for 4 seasons now.

I also run halogen tail/brake lights (1500 style).

Chuck
Chuck Schaefer

I used the lights from Jeff Zorn at Little British Car Co. They are much brighter than standard and also have them in the tail lights. I am running a Lucus alternator because of the extra power draw. I did have a problem of blowing fuses and the wires getting too hot. I had to put in two relays for the lighting circut and now all is well....I added the fuse to the circut just in case!!!!!
JEFF BECKER

Changing to the headlights to a halogen bulb is a definite improvement. The halogen bulb conversion can be improved upon in increasing light output by using relays with a 10 gauge wire feed from the battery connection at the solenoid terminal and then using 12 gauge wire to the relays and their respective lamps. -M.S.
Martin Starka

If you use the standard sealed beams, and travel at more than about 60 MPH, then your lights at dipped setting are lighting up a distance less than your braking /reaction distance....

Just a thought to those out there for the "originality" sticklers - this is a real case where improvements are important...
dominic clancy

I'm using the Wipac headlights Moss sells and am very happy with them. Standard H4 bulbs you should be able to get anywhere. The generator light has never come on with them, even with the heater blower running too.
David Breneman

Sylvania sells a simple sealed beam Halogen conversion under the name Xtra Vision. which has worked well for many folks, including myself. They are not expensive, about $15 or so each as I recall, and do a remarkably decent job of putting the brighter light where it actually does some good on both low and high beams. Not quite the Crystal lenses of Cibie or Hella, but not bad for a mass produced, readily available halogen replacement lamp. I have a feeling they are not too different from the Wagners Chuck mentions.

If that lamp series is not bright enough, Sylvania recently introduced another range of halogens with much higher light output.

I vote for relays to handle the current and to reduce wear on dash and tread switches. Sometimes a little careful and inconspicuous modernization can increase the safety and enjoyment of these cars.
Bob Muenchausen

Chuck & Bob,
Can you I.D. the model # on the Sylvania and Wagner Bulbs? Do they plug right in to the stock A connectors? Bob, Where did you happen to find the Sylvania units? Thanx. Steve
Steve Meline

Is there any problem putting halogens into Tripod headlights. I found it a bit unnerving driving home in the dark (or maybe it was the unintentional tail slide that did it).
Dan Smithers

I bought a pair of "Valucraft halogens" from either Autozone or Advance auto parts.... their #H6024 and are 60/40 watts... I'n fact it was listed in their parts book for my 58 mga..... Mike
Mike

Steve, I believe the full Wagner P/N is H6024BL. And yes it fits right in and the existing plug just fits to the prongs.

As I do a search for up the BriteLite trade name, I find the low beams are 55W and they are xenon gas filled, high output sealed beams. But they are not the "blue shaded" headlamps that the younger set are so hot after. Just a good lamp, from a major manufacturer, and DOT approved.

I did not modify my wiring like others suggest, But, I did a full restoration and am sporting a new witing harness. So it is in top shape electrically speaking. Well, as top shape as Lucas intended.

Again, I can't say enough about the lights though. It is like driving a modern car.

Chuck

PS. I have no financial interst in Wagner! Just a satisfied customer.
Chuck Schaefer

Steve,
All the Sylvania units also are H6024s, the SAE designation/standard for this type/style of lamp (7" dia, round, three conductor), and meet all the SAE requirements for "replacement" lamps, even as do most of the more exotic units from overseas. They just drop in place and connect up as any replacement lamp should, even as the Wagners do. I have found the Sylvania lamps at all sorts of Automotive stores, Discount Stores, and online shopping sites. General Electric also sells a sealed beam halogen lamp similar to the Sylvania and Wagner units, and it would not surprise me if they were all built to spec by one original supplier, such as Osram.

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/

http://www.brandsport.com/wagnerlighting.html

http://www.gelighting.com/eu/litlib/autobrochures.html

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
Bob Muenchausen

A small oversite. the valucraft that I purchased are "sylvania 2D1(H6024)...... Mike
Mike

BTW, in checking out the Sylvania site, I noted that their search engine for headlight applications and headlamps in general does not seem to include the H6024XV lamps I mentioned or references for MGBs. I wrote them an email and this was their reply:

"We do still manufacture the H6024XV product. If you are trying to look up a particular vehicle on our website I would be happy to try and assist. Please let me know the year, make and model of the vehicle.

Thank you,
Lise Boisvert
OSRAM SYLVANIA
Automotive Lighting"

FWIW.
Bob Muenchausen

Thanks to all of you for your input. This gives me a lot to go on. Thanks to Martin Starka for the pdf files. Very nice work.
Jerry
Jerry Murphy

Remember that most cheapie sealed beam halogens have the same weak point as cheapie sealed bean tungstens: The cheapie sealed beam lens which produces a log of glare and light scatter. Just getting the light brighter is less than half the battle. You need to get an accurate cutoff pattern, too.
David Breneman

I have a generator in both my MGA and MGB and use Halogens in the headlamps, tail lamps, instruments, front park and fog lamps on the MGA too. Turn signals I still use tungsten. No ill effects at all in 6 years on the A and a year on this B. Previous B has had them for 6 years too, but had an alternator.

You can get the Wagner and Sylvania at some good hardware stores and autoparts stores and maybe Walmart as some suggest, though sometimes the 7" are hard to find. Even my suppliers have to special order them for us in most cases. We also have a 7" semi-sealed headlamp wtih halogens that is extra brite as well and is $45 a pair.

I have had great results with them in all my LBC's and they really do make a difference as far as see and be seen.

Jeff
Jeff Zorn

David,
You might want to find someone in your area with these cheapie lamps on their car and go for a spin at night. It is surprising how well they can work for being cheapies.
Bob Muenchausen

Like Bob says, It is amazing what a difference these "cheapies" do make. But do ensure that you get the better halogens not just the base line ones. I can't speak for the high end units with exchangable bulbs as I have never used them. I'm sure they work well too. But the sealed beam units are a much welcomed improvement over the original equipment. I have never felt under illuminated.

In the spirit of this BBS, I will extend an offer for anyone in the NW Chicago area to come and see how well the Wagners perform. Then you can decide for yourself.

Chuck
Chuck Schaefer

This thread was discussed between 10/10/2004 and 16/10/2004

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