Got new headlights installed on my bus

belfert · August 25, 2014, 08:54:22 AM

I've always had issues with the headlights on my bus. I had the quad 4"x6" rectangular sealed beams. I tried Cibie ECE headlights along with relays and a 8 gauge cable from the batteries and it didn't help much at all. The headlights are fantastic on high beam, but horrible on low beam. I can't run high beam all the time due to oncoming traffic. I emailed back and forth with Daniel Stern and he recommended the Hella 90mm Bi-Xenon headlamp module. (This is an HID headlight.) He said this headlight performs better than any of the LED headlights currently on the market. This is not one of those illegal HID retrofits, but rather a complete DOT approved headlight module. Daniel Stern typically recommends ECE headlights, but he said in this case the DOT model is just fine.

I pulled out the old headlight buckets and mounted a panel made of Alucobond in the hole. I then mounted the new Hella 90mm modules in the panel. I also installed new LED turn signal lights while I was at it. Pictures tonight if I remember to take some this evening. I have no ideas if the new lights are any better as I haven't driven at night yet and too many street lights around to notice any change anyhow.

eagle19952 · August 25, 2014, 10:57:14 AM

I'll be very interested in your thoughts....

opus · August 25, 2014, 11:12:43 AM

I consulted with Daniel as well about mine. Re: LED, he said LED headlights are a little time off from being good yet. He said soon though.

Skykingrob · August 25, 2014, 06:29:11 PM

Be glad you guys got some help out of him. I have tried two or three times via email and a couple of times via phone to try to get some help from him with no luck. I have the old Ford F-150 headlights in my Prevost and they are awful to see. I replaced them with new lights and they are still awful. I have tried repeatedly to work with him to find a solution to no avail. I am still trying to find a solution if anyone has a good one.

Rob
91 Prevost
Missouri

belfert · August 25, 2014, 07:30:15 PM

Quote from: Skykingrob on August 25, 2014, 06:29:11 PM
Be glad you guys got some help out of him. I have tried two or three times via email and a couple of times via phone to try to get some help from him with no luck. I have the old Ford F-150 headlights in my Prevost and they are awful to see. I replaced them with new lights and they are still awful. I have tried repeatedly to work with him to find a solution to no avail. I am still trying to find a solution if anyone has a good one.

Did you try dastern@torque.net? He always returns my emails, but he often only answers one of my questions if I ask two or three questions in one email.

You could do like I did and remove the original headlight assembly and replace it with the Hella 90mm Bi-Xenon module. It would require a bit of fabrication.

Dave5Cs · August 25, 2014, 09:13:38 PM

400 for 1 light ooch

blue_goose · August 26, 2014, 07:43:50 AM

Walt Disney World in Florida are in the process of changing all there bus lights over to the Dielight LED lights. It is a drop in replacement for low or high beam. They don't have a combo HI, Lo. They are only changing the low beam. Best price I have seen is $226.00 each.
I have just put HID in my MCI, they look good here in the driveway. Will let you know what they are like when I get a chance to drive a night.
Jack

Iceni John · August 26, 2014, 08:08:49 AM

Brian,

I have 90mm projector "Bi-Xenon" HID lights in my car, and they're VERY good! Will yours have the movable shield for low beam? On my car the left and right lights have slightly different low-beam cut-off patterns, on purpose, to completely eliminate glare to oncoming drivers while still giving good illumination onto the side of the road. Your low-beam cut-off will be a sharply-defined transition between bright and dark - no fuzzy umbras there! Will you still keep the halogen high-beam lights for flashing oncoming drivers?

You should be amazed at how much better they are compared to what's normal here. Have fun!

John

belfert · August 26, 2014, 08:24:12 AM

Quote from: Dave5Cs on August 25, 2014, 09:13:38 PM
400 for 1 light ooch

Not cheap, but worth it to me. They actually cost me more than that and Hella just raised the price a good 20%. I got one of the last orders in before the price increase.

belfert · August 26, 2014, 09:38:48 AM

Quote from: Iceni John on August 26, 2014, 08:08:49 AM
I have 90mm projector "Bi-Xenon" HID lights in my car, and they're VERY good! Will yours have the movable shield for low beam? On my car the left and right lights have slightly different low-beam cut-off patterns, on purpose, to completely eliminate glare to oncoming drivers while still giving good illumination onto the side of the road. Your low-beam cut-off will be a sharply-defined transition between bright and dark - no fuzzy umbras there! Will you still keep the halogen high-beam lights for flashing oncoming drivers?

My lights are the same for both sides. Hella doesn't seem to have different part numbers for right/left. Yes, there is a shutter for high beams. I did not install additional high beams for cost reasons. Daniel Stern said that the high beam would be just fine.

I considered LED headlights, but 4"x6" is just a bad size for headlights period. I asked Daniel Stern's opinion on the best low beam headlight in any size and he recommended the Hella 90mm Bi-Xenon module. He doesn't think LED headlights are quite there. Hella actually charges more for their 90mm Bi-LED modules than for the Bi-Xenon modules.

I took the bus to a truck service shop this morning to get the headlights optically aimed, but their aiming device wouldn't work with my lights for some reason. I'll have to visually aim them.

belfert · August 27, 2014, 10:31:15 AM

Here is a photo of the finished lights finally.

robertglines1 · August 29, 2014, 05:38:05 PM

Brian; thanks for lead. Going a little different route than you did but same company. They are on way. If it all works out or not will start a separate post for The guys with the sucky 90's prevost headlights. Very good knowledgeable source. Bob

Nineforever · August 30, 2014, 07:50:06 PM

Here is what i roll with Speaker LED High & Low and Rigid LED Light Bar works great

belfert · August 31, 2014, 06:53:27 AM

Quote from: Nineforever on August 30, 2014, 07:50:06 PM
Here is what i roll with Speaker LED High & Low and Rigid LED Light Bar works great

How do you like the JW Speaker LED low beams? I almost went that route instead of the route I took. I was going to keep my high beams to save money as I have no issues with my high beams.

Nineforever · September 01, 2014, 05:08:55 PM

The speaker led low beams are excellent as well as the high beams had them 2 years no issues of any kind i can light up the road for miles , need them here in the north country especially in the winter , those buffalo can make an awfull mess of any rig regardless how big the rig is .