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Night blindness
#1
valintine71 Mike Martin
Newnan, GA, USA   USA
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1974 MG MGB
1974 MG MGB "Trixie"
I recently got caught in a rainstorm on the way back from my mechanics, I noted that the lights appeared a little dim in the backs of other cars at red lights. The car has been refurbished, and I don't think it is the alternator or battery, I've heard stories of having to use the high beams on these cars for normal night driving; any feedback welcome! Mike

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Re: Night blindness
#2
Simon Austin Avatar
Simon Austin Gold Member
Surrey, BC, Canada   CAN
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1968 Ford Torino
1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion
Shouldn't use high beams for normal night driving. Other drivers won't be happy about that.

You can install a relay kit which will breathe new life into your headlamps. The kit will allow full voltage to your lamps and allow your switch to last longer.

How old are your lamps? Age will affect performance as well.


"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Night blindness
#3
mac townsend
Fairfield, CA, USA   USA
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1973 MG MGB MkIII
Absolutely X2

In reply to # 2670072 by Simon Austin Shouldn't use high beams for normal night driving. Other drivers won't be happy about that.

You can install a relay kit which will breathe new life into your headlamps. The kit will allow full voltage to your lamps and allow your switch to last longer.

How old are your lamps? Age will affect performance as well.


1973 Pale Primrose Roadster. A nice 10-footer!
SUs, Datsun 5-speed

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Re: Night blindness
#4
Desert dog Don M
Tucson, USA   USA
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1974 MG MGB
1977 MG MGB
I added relays a couple of months ago. It made a big difference. And now the switch stays cool as well.

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Re: Night blindness
#5
Ogre1 Avatar
Ogre1 Allan Ogilvie
Melbourne Victoria, Australia   AUS
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1977 MG MGB "Greenb"
I would do what has been suggested but also consider :
Halogen bulbs in your current beams if not already. New halogen beams if you have sealed or original lights. You can also get higher rated bulbs at some of the autoparts stores these days. I think mine are 60/ 55w but rated as 20% brighter (maybe just marketing but I got them anyway.)

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Re: Night blindness
#6
tahoe36c Avatar
tahoe36c Paul Hruza
Panama City, FL, USA   USA
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1969 MG MGC GT "Little Red Rocket..."
1972 MG MGB GT "Tiny Dancer"
2002 Harley-Davidson Dyna
Mike,

The high beam is generally only 5 watts more than the low. Not a serious increase in brightness (especially with the stock wiring) and just focused higher in front of the car (hence, blinding oncoming drivers). Ideally you could add relays and some good H4 bulbs. Relays allow the current to bypass the switch which prevents switch overheating/melting (been there, done that many years ago). The headlights can be wired directly to the battery itself with this set-up. HUGE difference! Not real expensive nor hard to do...

Paul

P.S. I am not aware of your level of experience with this electronic system. So without trying to insult your intelligence remember one thing. DO NOT touch the glass portion of the H4 halogen bulbs with your bare fingers! The oils in your skin will "deep fry" on the glass and shatter it...


Those who confuse Burro and Burrow don't know their @ss from a hole in the ground...

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Re: Night blindness
#7
valintine71 Mike Martin
Newnan, GA, USA   USA
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1974 MG MGB
1974 MG MGB "Trixie"
Thank you

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Re: Night blindness
#8
DrewM Avatar
DrewM Drew Maddock
74 MGB roadster, Southern California, USA   USA
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Definitely install relays, but also clean your wire connections which could be dimming your bulbs. And install halogen bulbs. Will make a pretty big difference. I've installed LED light panels in place of my tail light bulbs so my car is much more visible at night from the rear. A number of vendors sell these.


Drew Maddock, So. Calif. USofA

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Re: Night blindness
#9
Little Blue Avatar
Little Blue Ed Fairbanks
Jacksonville, FL, USA   USA
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1974 MG MGB
1974 MG MGB "Blue"
I installed Hella Halogen headlights some time ago and have them wired so that they come on when I start the car. I don't drive much at night but they make me feel much safer during the day.

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Re: Night blindness
#10
dagnew Dan A
Denver, CO, USA   USA
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1980 MG MGB
I added relays to mine. Gained an extra 2 volts to the headlights. What a difference it made!

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Re: Night blindness
#11
riley1489 Avatar
riley1489 Gold Member Bruce H
Great White North, QC, Canada   CAN
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1953 Jaguar XK120
1959 Riley 1.5 "King George"
1973 MG MGB
Mike,
Your headlights are there to help see where one is going. winking smiley If you feel compromised install a different headlamp type or go the route of relay. If I read your post well, either or both will be an improvement over what you presently have.

Bruce


Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?"

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Re: Night blindness
#12
Recently Bitten Avatar
Recently Bitten Dennis Stewart
Rochelle, IL, USA   USA
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1968 MG MGB "Aunt B"
Put in Limeys relays ( http://www.bits4brits.net/Relays.html ) made a large
difference in my headlights and the horn scared the crap out of me the
first time I used it...

My 57 year old eyes don't handle the dark like they used to.confused smiley


Dennis Stewart
Rochelle, Il



If you want to hear God laugh, Tell Him your PLANS!!

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