Let's Talk Eagle Headlights Again

[beltguy]

My experience with the factory and most aftermarket headlights for Eagles is that they produce a rather limited amount of light.  I have talked about this before, but I need to update my thoughts.

First of all, I think it is almost mandatory that the stock system (and aftermarket options) be wired through relays.  I discuss this in detail in this article (link).  [As an editorial note: this and several articles that I published in Bus Conversions Magazine are a part of our website database and are listed (here).]

The relay allows the headlights to receive full voltage and all of the "old" wiring components only have to transmit very low amperage.

The headlight technology part of the article is rather dated (over 12 years old).  The aftermarket technology has undergone a significant improvement in the rather recent past.

In future posts, I will discuss the technology history a bit more, but for this post I would like to introduce what I believe is the best current technology:  projection LED.

My Dodge truck had what I consider to be dangerous headlights.  I did a lot of research and ended up purchasing the Nova series light made by Alpha Rex (very costly, but I considered it to be a safety related purchase).  There is a good YouTube video on projector light technology: (here)

That technology is now available in 5 3/4 round headlight like the early Eagles had.  I have just begun to research the options (there are many).  For example, Amazon has this item:  (link).  I have to believe that for $25 it is not a quality item.  Again, I hope to do some research on the round headlight.

If you have any experience with projector headlights, chime in.

More to come

Jim

[beltguy]

Ok, this will be be what I call a "dribble" thread.  I will keep posting dribbles of information as I gather my thoughts.

The technology I discussed in the article was not DOT approved technology, but most people did not worry about being stopped.  The best solution at the time were headlight housings that would accept H4 replaceable bulbs.  The H4 bulbs can be found in various wattages and  technologies (halogen, LED,Xenon, etc.).  The problem with USA housings that met DOT specifications had horrible optics that did not control where the light was directed.  At the time the best option was to use Cibie housings with European approved optic technology.  Cibie is no longer making the housings and the best alternative is Koito products.

The problem with this solution was that the poor optics of DOT housing (and to a lesser degree European standards), combined with many of the aftermarket "hot shot" bulbs resulted in blinding light for oncoming cars or really irritating blue lights.

Properly aimed, projection lights are very bright but do not blind oncoming cars.

In my first post I listed a projection light from Amazon.  However, some of the aftermarket projection lights look very strange to me (more in next post).  This headlight looks a bit more stock to me:  (link)

BTW my personal preference for headlights for Eagles are the dual 5 3/4 round versions.  That said, many folks have converted to dual 4x6 rectangular version.  That style is also available with projection technology.

More "dribble" to follow.

Jim

[Seann]

Thanks for the dribble.

Experienced what you describe in your article, driving at night was not fun due to the low light level, but now the low beam on one side is out. Will be replacing headlights here soon, and just assumed I could walk into any Napa and find what was needed. Good to know there is more involved, so I can prepare.