51 replies to this topic

[Stocky_s]

Hi i am planning on taking Milo (1970's mini 1000) to France this Easter, i know you have to use light deflectors in France as I've fitted them before but do not know where about's to fit them.

Any advice would be great :).

Stocky

[AVV IT]

If you look at your headlights, there should be a triangular/wedge shaped section etched into the glass on the left hand side of each lamp. You just need to buy a pair of triangular/wedge shaped deflectors and stick one into this space on each lamp.

[Miniryan09]

Go to halfords, thats where we got ours for last year :)

[Cooperman]

Don't forget that if you are going to France you need to carry reflective jackets and a breathaliser (yes, really!).

[AVV IT]

Go to halfords, thats where we got ours for last year :)

You can get them on Ebay for much less than you can in Halfrauds though!!

Don't forget that if you are going to France you need to carry reflective jackets and a breathaliser (yes, really!).

Yes this is a good point, many European countries also require you to carry a warning triangle and a spare set of bulbs, as well as a reflective jacket(s), so check the individual requirements of all the countries you are intending to drive in.

I actually thought that French law requiring a Breathalyser was still at the proposal stage at the moment and wasn't due to be passed until much later in the year, but I could be wrong?

Edited by AVV IT, 04 March 2012 - 03:29 PM.

[Stocky_s]

Luckily i knew about the Breathalyzer, (grandparents live over there), it was brought in only a few months back, i think that it is a rather silly idea as those who drink drive will do it either way, but they are only a few £'s on eBay for digital ones so that's not too much of an issue, I'm also having to change to halegeon bulbs as the price for a pair of sealed beams is horrendous (for a student) and i need a spare in France, any tips on fitting conversions would be handy too :)
Thanks for everyone who has replied thus far
Stocky

[Stocky_s]

also just popped outside to check for the wedge, i know the new cars have them as my mothers has one, but there are none on mine, could that be due to the age, if so would it be likely that the conversion kit would have them.
Stocky

[AVV IT]

According top the "IAM" (Institute of Advanced Motorists) and the AA, the French breathalyser law does not come into effect until 1st July this year, with fines for not carrying one being introduced from November.

http://www.iam.org.u...-a-breathalyser

[Blatherskite]

Neatly applied insulting tape is just as good, usually found in the tool box, and cheapet than a triangle bought at Halfords (or ebay).

[AVV IT]

also just popped outside to check for the wedge, i know the new cars have them as my mothers has one, but there are none on mine, could that be due to the age, if so would it be likely that the conversion kit would have them.
Stocky

Hmm interesting, yes thinking about it mine has a modern wipac halogen conversion kit fitted and they have do them on, but I'm not so sure that the older, original sealed beams, would have them though.

[Stocky_s]

AVV IT, how hard was it to fit the conversion kit.
Stocky

[AVV IT]

It's fairly simple to do, the kit is basically just a couple of glass bowl units with two holes in the back of each, for a standard H4 headlamp bulb and a separate side lamp bulb. It's a direct replacement, so you should just take the sealed beams out and fit the conversion units in place of them. As I recall, the only real modification needed, is to detach the side lamp wiring from the electrical connectors that fit onto the back of the sealed beam units and crimp a couple of terminals onto the wires. The side lamps on the new conversion lamps are separate to the headlamps (see pic below), whereas they are integral on the sealed beams.



Some people also connect the new lamps via relays, as the halogen lamps tend to draw more power than standard sealed beams do and can therefore melt the switch and wiring. As I understand it though, this shouldn't be an issue so long as you don't fit halogen bulbs with a higher wattage than the original sealed beams had.

[cagy]

Yeah the law comes into force as of July 1st for some daft reason, so easter you should be fine, just don't forget the complete bulb kit, reflective jacket and warning triangle...

[govig]

And carry the reflective jacket in the car. If it's in the boot and you get stopped it's a fine .... no, really!

Neatly applied insulting tape is just as good

agreed, been doing that for years.

[minidaves]

at least it apears france have fogoten about lez's unlike other eu countrys