i30 Owners Club

MODIFYING OR DETAILING YOUR I30 => ELECTRICAL | ELECTRONIC | AUDIO => Topic started by: Just Rick on August 09, 2014, 11:26:00

Title: Lighting changes
Post by: Just Rick on August 09, 2014, 11:26:00: Having had a run of blown globes,seems not to be a problem for donkeys ages then all of a sudden,boom,half a dozen globes between the two cars in a few weeks,plus I have had an issue with my converted Rallye 4000 spotties on Cyril.

So I have ordered some different styles of H7 globes,all with differing specs,so give each of them a try when they come,the spotties are the biggest annoyance,the conversion HID kit I converted them with,the ballast shat itself on one of them,so having a spare kit I changed the ballast and the globes,now I have a huge black spot where the spot is meant to be,I now have what appears to be a HUGE halo of light,plenty of light to the sides of the road and only enough to go forward the distance the headlights go,I am wondering if the globes are not the correct ones,so I have ordered some replacement H1 HID globes,but I have also caved in an ordered a Light bar :link: 17inch 108W Cree LED Spot Flood Driving Offroad 4WD Work Light BAR 36W 126W 180W | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271183086745?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649) so I am going to give this a try as well,even though I have driven behind them before and found although they do give you great light,both forward and to the side they DO NOT throw as far as a pencil beam HID,maybe when I get it,I'll work out how to use it in combination with my existing HID'S,if it is not suitable for my needs.Only went for a 17" bar,as it can be blended in with the custom alloy bar I had made.
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Phil №❶ on August 09, 2014, 11:29:42: Sounds like the replacement HID is not at the focal point of the spottie. Are the external dimensions of the bulb exactly the same, especially the arc point :question:
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Just Rick on August 09, 2014, 12:11:39: Quote from: Phil №❶ on August 09, 2014, 11:29:42
Sounds like the replacement HID is not at the focal point of the spottie. Are the external dimensions of the bulb exactly the same, especially the arc point :question:

Problem Is Phil I have thrown the old globes away so I can not check,I'm assuming,because this kit was in a different set of spotties the globes may be actually H3 so the focal point will actually be in the wrong position,there is a big difference between the focal points f the two different globes
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Phil №❶ on August 09, 2014, 13:17:09: Oh dear :fum:
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: L30N on August 09, 2014, 20:46:16: Strange I'm on my 3rd set of H7s this year with no mods, the other 2 sets went in pairs leaving me literally in the dark having to drive home with fogs on. They were just stock Bosch/Halfords bulbs. Held back fitting another set during the summer months (dark at 10pm in Northern England). Local garage checked battery voltage etc during service this week before fitting another pair, nothing untoward showed up. Waiting to see what happens with these latest bulbs...
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Phil №❶ on August 09, 2014, 22:58:22: With our little cig lighter voltmeter, I commonly see 14.7 volts without headlamps on in the daytime. That's quite over voltage for a 12v lamp bulb. :(

Still tossing the idea of a "soft on" option to be fitted. :idea:
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Dazzler on August 09, 2014, 23:24:30: Not good, I'd be investigating the earthing mod... There was a TSB number posted by Lorian recently I'll try and find the link... :goodjob:

In this thread..

:link: Headlamp wiring recall (https://i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=29461.msg322650#msg322650)
Title: .
Post by: PhireSideZA on August 10, 2014, 11:02:11: Quote from: Phil №❶ on August 09, 2014, 22:58:22
With our little cig lighter voltmeter, I commonly see 14.7 volts without headlamps on in the daytime. That's quite over voltage for a 12v lamp bulb. :(

Still tossing the idea of a "soft on" option to be fitted. :idea:
I should check mine too, I blew two park light bulbs one day without warning or anything. Perhaps the voltage regulator is a bit off-spec? I'll try and measure my 12V circuit today and see what mine says

EDIT: I got the following voltages from the dome light contacts-

12.4V with car off, key out of ignition, dome light on
4.8V with car off, key out of ignition and dome light set to Door mode with door closed
13.8 ~ 14V with car idling and dome light on
14.2V at most when car is revved to 2K rpm, dome light on.

All of these I performed with the headlights off

@Phil, maybe you have a suspect voltage regulator?
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Doggie 1 on August 10, 2014, 11:39:21: A total of five and a quarter years of i30 ownership and I still haven't had a single blow.
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Phil №❶ on August 10, 2014, 11:41:21: Too bad :(
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: The Gonz on August 10, 2014, 11:41:29: Same here, mate. Congratulations (or commiserations) to both of us. :victory:
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Doggie 1 on August 10, 2014, 11:42:03: No, it's a good thing. :D
Isn't it? :undecided:
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: PhireSideZA on August 10, 2014, 11:56:13: Slightly off topic, but my previous Honda lasted 17 years without needing a single bulb replacement - a testament to old tech
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Doggie 1 on August 10, 2014, 12:53:25: You're good at fixing things tonight, Rick. ;)
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Just Rick on August 10, 2014, 13:07:23: Quote from: Doggie 1 on August 10, 2014, 12:53:25
You're good at fixing things tonight, Rick. ;)
Yes been a real good day today,fixed a few things here and got time to spend a lot of time with my dog's :DoubleKiss:
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: baroudeur on August 11, 2014, 16:26:52: Quote from: Phil №❶ on August 09, 2014, 22:58:22
With our little cig lighter voltmeter, I commonly see 14.7 volts without headlamps on in the daytime. That's quite over voltage for a 12v lamp bulb. :(

Still tossing the idea of a "soft on" option to be fitted. :idea:

Car bulbs/electrics are designed to operate at 14.7 volts 'cos it's what the alternator produces....... :rolleyes:

I really must open up the headlight mod fitted by my dealer and see what is inside the tube.
Title: Re: Lighting changes
Post by: Phil №❶ on August 12, 2014, 00:36:27: I'll see if I can verify that. It does seem logical, but I remember years ago with my Holden the regulator cut out for the alternator was only 13.5 V, so that is a fair increase.