Lighting options? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Junkman · #1 06-26-2011, 07:41 PM

I rode in a friend's relatively new Lexus. I could see down the road & noticed a nice crisp line above which the illumination was nill. Shocking!!! Light where you need it but not where you don't. Who has converted their old MB & what did you use? Got wiring diagram for relays?

Ya Mar · #2 06-26-2011, 07:45 PM

I installed depo euro headlamps and I find the light output to be a HUGE improvement from the sealed lamps that were stock on North American cars.

It required a little bit of rewiring for a 6 prong plug but that was it.

Were you thinking of installing xenon lights?

Junkman · #3 06-26-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ya Mar

Were you thinking of installing xenon lights?

I was thinking I wanted better lighting & wondered what is out there. Other old cars that I've messed with route everything through the combo switch which destroys the switch soon after lighting has been upgraded. I was just wondering what others have done. I only noticed the difference after riding in something new and expensive.

Daman858 · #4 06-26-2011, 11:51 PM

I have Hella H4 lights on my 300CD. Plug right in and they made a big difference.

mr_manny · #5 06-27-2011, 12:31 AM

Have you thought about HIDs?
HID kits are really affordable, and available in several bulb types.

HIDs are brighter, last longer and only draw 35watts.

All of my vehicles have been upgraded to 35W, 4300k bulbs...very pleased w/the increased visibility

here's a quick youtube search :

http://youtu.be/F55mYY38L-s

sixto · #6 06-27-2011, 12:39 AM

You have the choice of Euro lamps as Ya Mar suggested or non sealed beam replacements for just the headlights (Euros include the fog lights). OE Bosch and Hella housings cost $200-400 used, from $400 new. Aftermarket brands like Depo and TYC (TYC are cr@p) start at $150 new. Non sealed beam replacement housings cost $50-150 a pair. I suggest a quality brand but even the worst housing that takes an H4 bulb will be an improvement over DOT headlights.

Make sure you get LHD versions of whatever you choose so you're not a hazard to oncoming traffic. With the right lenses, 55 watts provides plenty of light. Anything more than that requires upgrading the wiring and possibly adding relays. And, of course, upgrading the dinky alternator MB installed in Diesels.

This is a good site to learn about lighting - http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

Sixto
87 300D

psaboic · #7 06-27-2011, 12:04 PM

Hella H4's with 80/110W bulbs and separate low beam/high beam relays. I drive mostly at night on roads with not many (read that as none!) other cars. Great light for tired eyes if you know what I mean

Beastie · #8 06-27-2011, 12:37 PM

I bought a used set of Depo euro style for my 85 300sd and they made a huge difference in lighting as well as the better look.
Alan

davidmash · #9 06-27-2011, 02:26 PM

I have OEM Hellas in my 190. I put HID's in and I am going to switch back to somen sylvania super whites. The hids are Ok but the light pattern is not what it was and not what I wanted.

That line of light/no light is not a product of the light alone. It is a combination of the light source and the lense. You cannot put a hid in a non-hid housing and expect magic.

I agree withthe above who suggested Hellas or depot with good quality H4's.

compu_85 · #10 06-27-2011, 03:33 PM

The factory Euro lights with a halogen lamp give a very nice cutoff:

-J

MBeige · #11 06-27-2011, 03:48 PM

Unless you can sand down the fluting on the standard lens to create a clear transparent portion the HID beam can blast through, your best bet is to get a pair of Euro lights or E-Code replacements for the sealed beams.

Your '85 SD will have the bucket style NAM lights. You can get E-Code replacements that take in H4 bulbs to get European-headlamp-like function but in daylight it still looks like the standard US DOT or North American (NAM) spec lights.

winmutt · #12 06-27-2011, 06:20 PM

I beat up kids with HID.

Get Bosch or Hella Ecodes and never look back. It looks like I am landing a plane compared to other cars on the road, HID's included.

Benzman53 · #13 06-29-2011, 10:20 AM

I agree, the HID option is the best but it is also the most expensive to do it right. You cannot merely purchase replacement bulbs with ballast circuitry and have a satisfactory beam pattern (I tried). Beam pattern goes from the well defined halogen cutoff to something resembling a shotgun blast! Sure there is lots of light and the oncoming drivers will let you know about it.
If you indeed want the HID, purchase the entire light assembly with the correct lens and mirror geometry for the HID light source. This is what the Lexus, MB's etc... have. Very high performance.
I use Ecode Hella on my Benz (halogen) and am very pleased with them.

scottmcphee · #14 06-29-2011, 10:45 AM

First things first, get the full battery power to the light bulb sockets with a direct heavy cable and install relays at the headlights. Raising the effective voltage to the bulb by 1 volt can make 20% more light. There is no longer any power loss through your headlight switch and related thin wiring. If you're thinking of higher wattage bulbs, the relays are a must to prevent burning out the switch.

I added 4 relays and used fresh 9004 bulbs for my lame DOT's, and it's noticeably brighter.

winmutt · #15 06-29-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmcphee

First things first, get the full battery power to the light bulb sockets with a direct heavy cable and install relays at the headlights. Raising the effective voltage to the bulb by 1 volt can make 20% more light. There is no longer any power loss through your headlight switch and related thin wiring. If you're thinking of higher wattage bulbs, the relays are a must to prevent burning out the switch.

I added 4 relays and used fresh 9004 bulbs for my lame DOT's, and it's noticeably brighter.

This post is worthless without a DIY