Need brighter headlights

[rvandrew]

I'd like to have more headlight brightness on my 2002 Winnebago Adventurer 35U.  Don't think it can be solved by buffing or rehabbing the headlight lenses.  Is it best/possible to change bulbs (not sure if lamps are sealed at this point) or must the entire lamp be switched out?  Are halogen lights a possibility?  Interested in all thoughts, experiences and suggestions.

 

[Jim Godward]

With the engine running, check the voltage at the lights.  It should be 12.6 volts or greater, charging voltage.  If it is not, then you need to do a little work to get at least 12.6 volts at the bulbs as that would be a significant part of the problem.

I had to modify my MH to accomplish this and it is not an uncommon problem especially in the early 2000 MHs.

 

[99WinAdventurer37G]

This is the kit I plan on putting on my 99 Winnebago Adventurer

http://www.hidkitxenonlights.com/f-450-super-duty/9007-bi-xenon-hi-lo-beams-full-hid-conversion-kit-for-ford-f-450-super-duty-1999/

I don't see anywhere that it says it's DOT approved so one could get a ticket with this kit.  I just don't think I'll get a ticket with the MH.  In my trucks they want to pull us over and write us a ticket for anything and everything, (I've had tickets for dirty/mangled license plates), but I just don't see them pulling me over in the MH.  The kids run the high 10000K lights which are a very blue light.  I plan on getting the 4300K which is a white light that should give me more light on the road which is what I need with the MH.  Plus I don't see as well as I did when I was 20.  I changed out the regular headlights for the SilverStars, which I run in my trucks, during my last trip.  They are about $30 each, but provide much more light than a stock head light.  These HID lights are over $100 each, but I think that is a bargain compared to the damage a deer, or anything else I might hit, because I didn't see it in time with the lower light output, could cost me.

 

[ennonne]

With the engine running, check the voltage at the lights.  It should be 12.6 volts or greater, charging voltage.  If it is not, then you need to do a little work to get at least 12.6 volts at the bulbs as that would be a significant part of the problem.

I had to modify my MH to accomplish this and it is not an uncommon problem especially in the early 2000 MHs.

This.

I can guarantee if you have a Ford chassis you have low voltage at the lights. My '04 was losing about 2 volts! The stock Ford wiring runs the power to the headlights through the main switch, two relays, and about 14 connectors.

You also need to aim them. You have good old glass sealed beams that are easy to aim. The face of them should be vertical and square to the road.

Lots of good reading at danielsternlighting.com, specifically the section on voltage drops: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html

 

[rvandrew]

Thanks for the good reading suggestions.

My MH is a Workhorse chassis, not Ford.

A. Craig
2002 Adventurer 35U

 

[driftless shifter]

If you happen to have old school sealed beam halogen headlights, their light goes brown with age. The way it was 'splained to me is that tungsten from electrodes coat the inside of the lens and reflector over time, reducing the output. Plasma? Not sure if same applies to replaceable bulbs in plastic lens.

Could also be as simple as a failing ground.

Bill

 

[Jim Godward]

If you happen to have old school sealed beam halogen headlights, their light goes brown with age. The way it was 'splained to me is that tungsten from electrodes coat the inside of the lens and reflector over time, reducing the output. Plasma? Not sure if same applies to replaceable bulbs in plastic lens.

You are right about the lens getting coated with the tungsten.

 

[BLOODYBILL]

great subject,
could you not just change the sealed beam for a after market hd lense set up?
i,m a newbie here and the motor home world so bear with me,
i personally hate sealed beams,
i hit a buffalo doing 65 mph in a super duty ford ,
i did,nt see the beast in time ( sealed beams )
i want something better,