14 replies to this topic

[conlad]

Looking at getting some quadoptics to replace the candlelight's

If I were to get them,

1) What bulbs do they take?
2) What wiring needs to be uprated for the higher wattage?
3) What does 'pilot light' mean and how does it relate to converting from sealed beam to quadoptic?

Cheers all

Conor

[richw911]

1. H4 bulbs
2. I think a relay is recomended
3. the pilot light is the side light bulb

[iDemonix]

1) H4
2) You can use relays if you want, if you get standard bulbs standard wiring is fine I believe
3) No idea, got one on my cooker?

I upgraded to Cibie H180's and the bowls weren't a perfect fit from the sealed beams, but you can easily modify with a hacksaw!

http://www.theminifo...88/page__st__15

Bowl mod on my project page ^ (shameless plug)

[Dan]

Quadoptics are a halogen H4 conversion. There are others and frankly the Wipac Quadoptic is the worst of them, they have a terrible beam pattern, very thick and poorly coloured glass and as such aren't all that bright. H4 is the bulb type used in them, and the majority of the others. I would personally get a set of Lucas or Cibie H4 lenses if I were you. The rating of the H4 bulbs is not all that much higher than the sealed beams, H4s are 55 watt on dip and 60 on main while sealed beams are 45 on dip and 60 main. The wiring should cope fine but the headlamp switch doesn't tend to cope as it's marginal to start with. Fitting relays will stop the switch melting and will also get the most output from the lamps. Pilot lights are sidelights, Mini needs lenses with pilot light but Clubman can use them without.

[invisible_kid]

2nd that get cibies worth extra dosh

[conlad]

Looking around for the cibie headlights and the only 'mini place' that does them is minisport..? http://www.minisport...IBCB082439.html

And eBay isn't doing me any favours either as all I get is fog/spot lamps..? http://www.ebay.co.u...-All-Categories

Cheapest on eBay - ( h180? ) http://www.ebay.co.u...#ht_3763wt_1037

I notice that they are only 60/65 dip/main - so not that much different from quadoptics which are easily 1/3rd of the price..

Any thoughts?

[iDemonix]

It's not about being 60/65 or whatever, it's the spread and quality of the lens/mirrors. Quadoptics and H180's are water and wine.

[ANON]

bulbs make a massive difference, go for the philips x-treme, will cost you £20 for a pair but well worth it.
don't bother with blue bulbs, waste of money.

[invisible_kid]

I gt mine from mini sport. Are a bomb bt u get what u pay for rly

[frog998]

Will any 7" lights fit as i seem to remember reading someone fitted range rover classic lights to there mini, half the price of the all the above and readily available

Edited by frog998, 07 May 2012 - 04:49 PM.

[conlad]

the 5 3/4'' ones??

[Dan]

No 7". Range Rover uses the Lucas lamp unit I think, probably far cheaper again if you don't buy it in a box with Land Rover written on. Not all 7" units are directly interchangeable. The Golf ones are completely different for example.

Edited by Dan, 07 May 2012 - 09:02 PM.

[oli8925]

I had Wipac Freeforms, they were great, didn't need to change the wiring. Jen has Quadoptics I think and they're not as good but still so much better than the candles, they do the job well enough if you want to save that bit of money. I agree though the key to having great lights is first have decent reflectors and beam pattern, then decent bulbs.

With the Freeforms I had Halfords Super Brilliance +somethingorother% and then put them in the Viva. They were good enough and have lasted many years, unlike the cheapies. I've heard lots of good things about Philips bulbs but top bulb for me is the Osram Nightbreaker.

[richw911]

bulbs make a massive difference, go for the philips x-treme, will cost you £20 for a pair but well worth it.
don't bother with blue bulbs, waste of money.

Agreed i have the Phillips X-treame and they are amazing

[spiggy]

On a budget as always, I have a set of Neolite headlamps and H4 bulbs. having trouble fitting them. I have a feeling that the sidelight part is shorting out on the back plate (Adjustable bit). Hacksaw??? ..... Had these lights for a year in the box unopened, got them out and they are covered in white chalky type stuff inside. I thought it was condensation, took the lenses off and cleaned em.. put the lenses back on in the wrong place, now gonna take em apart again.. effin nuisance