projector headlights

[seldo]

One of the most disappointing things with my VY Senator is the performance of the lights, and I have been trolling the net trying to find a worthy upgrade. For a performance car the lights are woeful. I tried some 80w (vs 55w) upgrade globes which I bought over the net but because the H9 and H11 globes are quite unusual there is very little alternative. The 80w ones I bought turned out be blue tinged which made them look good and appear to be HIDs but they did not work any better in terms of showing me where the road was. So after some very generous help from Daniel Stern Lighting in the US, I was advised to try the H9 hi-beam globes in the H11 sockets. Now, it is a fiddly conversion but well worth the trouble - I reckon about a 50% improvement. This will improve your lumens output from 1350 to 2100! If you are interested, listen carefully... The H9 globe and the H11 look more or less the same except that if you hold them side by side the locating lugs on the bulb-base are slightly different. the top one (closest to the wiring plug) is asymetrical and the one on the H9 is sort of biased to the left and the H11 is biased to the right . to make them fit I just used a pair of good snips to trim about 3mm off the left side of the top lug so that it became roughly symetrical. However, you will find that whilst they will now fit the head-light socket the plug will not fit the globe. You will find that the bulb female socket has 2 locating lugs moulded into the plastic of the base either side of the 2 electrical pins in the centre, but 1 of those will prevent the male plug from fitting into the socket. I decided that it was a very precise and delicate job so I just used a very sharp fine chisel to remove the top lug from the globe socket. After that, the plug slipped in like a pr*ck in a pillow-case. Put it all back together - replace battery, globe-sealing caps, radiator top shroud, CAI access hatch etc, and Robert's your uncle. It is a very worthwhile improvement if you want to see where you are going, and best part is - only costs the price of 2 H9 globes - about $50. BTW, it seems that the genuine globes are cheaper than, and as good as any aftermarket ones. Cheers

[seldo]

Sorry, a quick edit here. I was just going from memory, but when i check I find that the lug is the one furthest away from the plug, not closest as i said. sorry.

[ajs]

Seldo I just had a look at the series1 monaro lights h9 and h11 globes they will interchange just have to modify the wiring plug, did you put in brighter globes or just plain 65watt hi beam globes (the globes look identical)

[seldo]

Seldo I just had a look at the series1 monaro lights h9 and h11 globes they will interchange just have to modify the wiring plug, did you put in brighter globes or just plain 65watt hi beam globes (the globes look identical)

Just the standard Hi beam H9s in the H11 socket. Makes a huge difference and they are 65w instead of 55w for the H11. But according to Daniel Stern Lighting in the US who gave me the tip, the light out-put which is the important thing, leaps from 1350 lumens to 2100. I've just come home in the dark now and the difference is well worthwhile.

[Knight Phlier]

I did this mod on the weekend to my headlights - Following the instructions on this thread (Thanks to Seldo!!). The results are awesome! I would say something like a 25-35% improvement in brightness. Definately noticable, even the missus noticed the difference without me saying anything.

I also changed the parking lights on the side to a neon globe as they are really dull the stock globe is like a candle in terms of brightness.

I used the H9 globes from Holden ($25 each), and followed Seldo's wise words of wisdom and it works a treat. Took about 2 hours all up.

[RichardM]

..... I've just come home in the dark ......

I thought you were kept in the dark all the time, just like me.

[seldo]

I thought you were kept in the dark all the time, just like me.

That was before.....but Aahhh hev seeen the liiigghhttt!!!!!!

[Nidz]

Hello there.. interesting reading.. In regards to the Holden elecs we know they can sometimes be touchy. I think in the 3 Holdens i've had 2 so far have has some issues with electricals. Using a higher wattage bulb with brighter output obviously would put out more heat and load on the headlight relay. Would this be a bad thing?

[seldo]

Hello there.. interesting reading.. In regards to the Holden elecs we know they can sometimes be touchy. I think in the 3 Holdens i've had 2 so far have has some issues with electricals. Using a higher wattage bulb with brighter output obviously would put out more heat and load on the headlight relay. Would this be a bad thing?

Yes, if you were putting substantial extra load (like another 100w or so) it could make a difference. But the minor wattage difference that we are talking here (65 vs 55) is neither here nor there, but the difference in light output is substantial, like 55% greater..

[HSV_Punk]

So no problems with the mod at all? Its very interesting and something I think i might just have to do in the near future. Thanks for the idea.

[seldo]

So no problems with the mod at all? Its very interesting and something I think i might just have to do in the near future. Thanks for the idea.

Believe me - the difference is amazing!

[seldo]

So no problems with the mod at all? Its very interesting and something I think i might just have to do in the near future. Thanks for the idea.

Believe me - the difference is amazing! Wish i could get a 55% increase in hp for $50!

[bassplayer]

is it legal to have these much brighter low beams? r u goin to be the wan$er comin towards me that i have to flash my lights at?

[seldo]

is it legal to have these much brighter low beams? r u goin to be the wan$er comin towards me that i have to flash my lights at?

No, they don't glare if they are correctly aimed, ie no higher than you would for the standard set-up. I agree - I hate cars with glaring headlights like most of the HID set-ups....

[HSV_Punk]

Anyone have any pictures or diagrams of the modification of the globe?