11 replies to this topic

[freshairmini]

Hi,

I'm sure this has been asked before but I cant really find any info, apart from doing the usual Wipac H4 bulb and unit conversion. So...

Now that the evenings are dark and I have to use my headlights I am finding that the dipped beam setting on my mini is, well, crap!

You get about 6ft of yellowish dim light that is useless for seeing where you are going. Compared to my mums r32 on dipped beam which is practically daylight!!!

The main or full beam lighting is fine because I have spot lights which makes a huge difference, but the dipped is still lacking.

Is there any modifications I can do to the lighting circuit or any alternative to the standard Wipac Quadoptics that give a far improved dipped beam illumination.


Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

[bmcecosse]

Get them set up correctly ! Dip beam sealed beam units are perfectly adequate - I've been using my car some mornings recently at 5am and was pleasantly surprised how effective they are. If they are 'yellowish' then check the earth connections are good - and is the fan belt tight?

[sonikk4]

Don't compare with other cars especially ones with Zenon lights etc. If your lights are yellowish have you checked your power output from the alternator.

[freshairmini]

Well yes, I am planning on changing my alternator to a 70amp, as the 45amp one is on its last legs, but I will say I did have a 70amp one before (even tho it did pack up not long ago) but I did find that even with the 70amp they still weren't upto much.

The earthing is all fine, checked that recently.

Apart from making sure all the equipment is fine and in proper working order, is there anything that can be done to improve things?

Edited by freshairmini, 30 November 2011 - 04:07 PM.

[bmcecosse]

45 amp alternator is PLENTY - no point fitting anything bigger - the narrow V belt can't cope with that amount of power anyway. What volts on the battery with engine at decent revs - and then repeat test with the headlights on.

[freshairmini]

Ok ile try those things.

But I will say the reason for the larger alternator was because I was put more audio equipment in so it would need it for that extra stuff.

[bmcecosse]

Still nowhere near 70 amps...... 45 is PLENTY.

[freshairmini]

really?? Why do some many people reccomend using a higher rated alternator?

And why did the later cars use the 70amp alternator if they didn't need it?

[lrostoke]

Just a quick tally everything on

2 x headlight 110w
2 x rear light 10w
brake lights 42w
side lights 10w
spots 120w

no idea on heated screen and blowers

but all the lights comes to just under 300 watts.

amps x volts = watts

your normally running at around 13.5v * 45 amps = 607 watts so yeah should really be plenty of juice in a 45amp alternator.

Alternators don't actually pump out full power all the time, they supply what is demanded by the system. So if very little is on, it won't supply so much .
This is why the revs drop the more you switch on, the alternator as to work harder and puts more resistance on the engine

Saying that I've got a 70amp alternator on mine but the price was right and I needed a new alternator so no harm in a bit of overkill

Edited by lrostoke, 30 November 2011 - 04:36 PM.

[lrostoke]

You do get a few people complaining of lights being dim, never had a problem with mine always seem bright enough. I do wonder if its something to do with the dim/dip setup on later cars. Maybe all that going through different circuits just saps the power a bit. ???

I'd guess a test would be to compare the light brightness with standard wiring, then rig up a direct feed from the battery to light to compare the light output !!!!
If its brighter direct. bit of rewire using relays energised by the standard wiring, but with the power to the lights coming direct from the battery via the relay.should sort it out

[cooperrodeo]

but with the power to the lights coming direct from the battery via the relay.should sort it out

and a fuse of course

[Cooperman]

Cibie replacement headlights and 100/80 w bulbs.