Who has changed out their Factory Headlights for something better?
 

Who has changed out their Factory Headlights for something better?

Started by Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM, December 30, 2022, 12:54:34 PM

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Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM

My headlights were so dim a couple of years ago when driving through Eugene, Oregon at nighttime, that I decided they needed to be replaced, as I could hardly see the road in front of my bus.  Of course, it didn't help that my old bus had much less than 12V at the headlights.  I decided to replace them with Kenworth LED headlights.

Even though I rarely drive my bus after dark anymore, there are times when I may decide to leave a Rest Area or someplace before sunup, or I may find that a Rest Area is full when I decide to stop for the night and may have to continue on.

Who else has upgraded their headlights and what did you upgrade to and how do you like them?
1999 Prevost H3-45
Gary@BusConversionMagazine.com

Van

B&B CoachWorks
Bus Shop Mafia.
Now in N. Cakalaki

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM

1999 Prevost H3-45
Gary@BusConversionMagazine.com

luvrbus

LED are good upgrade,if you don't have over 13v on a 12v system with the engine running a Bic lighter is brighter than the Hoglen bulbs   
Life is short drink the good wine first

Van

Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on December 30, 2022, 02:10:45 PM
Copycat.  You know Jerry Chael too aye?   ;D

Who do you think bleeped Jerry's idea first?  Bus shop mafia, if can think of it, we already did it first Haha! ;D
B&B CoachWorks
Bus Shop Mafia.
Now in N. Cakalaki

luvrbus

Quote from: Van on December 30, 2022, 04:20:02 PM
Who do you think bleeped Jerry's idea first?  Bus shop mafia, if can think of it, we already did it first Haha! ;D

That is not his first set either Van lol Harley installed him a set he probably has those in the bay
Life is short drink the good wine first

Iceni John

Yes, DOT sealed-beam headlights are abysmal, so I replaced them with Hella E-Code lights that are a night and day difference.   The High/Low are the stock 55W, but the High are 100W with relays and heavier wiring, the front fog lights use selective-yellow 55W lamps, and the red rear fog light will get a high-vis LED lamp soon.   All my lights now are Hella except the side turn indicators and the roof marker lights.

John   
1990 Crown 2R-40N-552 (the Super II):  6V92TAC / DDEC II / Jake,  HT740.     Hecho en Chino.
2kW of tiltable solar.
Behind the Orange Curtain, SoCal.

luvrbus

I like Van's and Gary's LED lamps they have a cut off line and don't blind people like most LEDs
Life is short drink the good wine first

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM

Quote from: luvrbus on December 31, 2022, 05:37:52 AM
I like Van's and Gary's LED lamps they have a cut off line and don't blind people like most LEDs

Yes good point Cliff.  I replaced a set I bought a week before that which projected a round beam which the top half would blind people.  This set, cuts off the upper part of the round beam so it is straight across on the top that cuts out that upper circle which will not blind cars coming toward you.
1999 Prevost H3-45
Gary@BusConversionMagazine.com

lostagain

That is the biggest problem with some after market LED lights. They can see 3 miles down the road, but the rest of us are blind...
JC
Blackie AB
1977 MC5C, 6V92/HT740 (sold)
2007 Country Coach Magna, Cummins ISX (sold)

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM

Quote from: lostagain on December 31, 2022, 07:59:57 AM
That is the biggest problem with some after market LED lights. They can see 3 miles down the road, but the rest of us are blind...

That is why you need brighter lights than everyone else out there JC.  Lights, like they have on Freight Trains would work.  ;D

Just kidding, if they are adjusted properly, then this should not be an issue.
1999 Prevost H3-45
Gary@BusConversionMagazine.com

luvrbus

They do need to power down the LED's a lot of LED some will blind you,I don't know what they are LED's or what but I hate the friggn blue lights people use now,those remind me of K-Mart   
Life is short drink the good wine first

RJ

Over on the FB Prevost XL page a fellow named Matthew Valentine sells an LED upgrade kit for Prevost XLs using JW Speaker lights. Huge difference over the Ford Bronco units Prevost used on those models. Altho not E-code lights, they do have a nice cut-off to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. Matthew's kit comes complete with new polished stainless steel surrounds, so the entire installation looks like it came from the Prevost factory.

FWIW & HTH. . .  ;)

RJ
1992 Prevost XL Vantaré Conversion M1001907 8V92T/HT-755 (DDEC/ATEC)
2003 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon "Towed"
Cheney WA (when home)

silversport

In Nov. 2019 I installed LED's that fit the original housing. A much brighter light that lights up the sides so much better.  I align them so no one as has flashed me, yet. We try not to do night driving, this last trip and one and half hour of rain/night driving glad we had the better lights.
1962-GM-4106

luvrbus

I am sure other states have the illuminance testers in patrol cars like AZ does,AZ Troppers are hell on the pickups and ATV's using light bars on the highway. They get the cars to, a car in front of me got pulled over by a passing Tropper. I thought he was after me he turned around so fast, You can get a APP for your smart phone to check your lights for brightness to see if you are legal or not. I understand the fine is $350.00 plus another $20.00 if you are not wearing your seatbelt, here in AZ they cannot stop you for not wearing a seatbelt but can fine you for it if stopped for other reasons   
Life is short drink the good wine first