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wattage of stock headlamps?

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ukelelejack Avatar
ukelelejack Silver Member Jacky Franklin
Elmwood, TN, USA   USA
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1972 Ford F-250 "The Hulk"
1977 MG MGB "JESSE"
Might anyone, by chance, off the top of their head, know the wattage of the stock headlights?

I searched the forum using wattage, ect, as keys, no luck, and am not even sure I KNOW what came in the car orginally,

Thanks for any help...ukelelejack

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ErnieY Avatar
ErnieY Ernie Y
Albatera, Alicante, Spain   ESP
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Not sure for the US but for UK it's 60/55W

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ukelelejack Avatar
ukelelejack Silver Member Jacky Franklin
Elmwood, TN, USA   USA
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1972 Ford F-250 "The Hulk"
1977 MG MGB "JESSE"
Then a swap to H4 lens systems, with standard halogen bulbs will not overload anything upstream? yes?

P>S>, Thanks Ernie...U/J



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-04-17 01:03 AM by ukelelejack.

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ErnieY Avatar
ErnieY Ernie Y
Albatera, Alicante, Spain   ESP
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Watts is watts and the halogen units will consume the same as ordinary bulbs or sealed beam units but give more light in exchange.

No problems with upgrading then but if you want to get the very best light output then do the relay mod and get the volts to the bulbs where the need to be, not being lost over useless meters of wire and through switches winking smiley

I use 80/100W bulbs with relays and the light output is something to behold and is far superior to most modern cars which still use incandescent bulbs.


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MGBMK3 Avatar
MGBMK3 Mark Patane
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia   AUS
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....as above.... higher watts with relays... drive anywhere at night without melting the headlight switch.

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pinkyponk Avatar
pinkyponk Gold Member Adrian Page
Berwick, NS, Canada   CAN
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As I recall a North American sealed beam is less than 55 watts. I'll have to go look...

Adrian



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pinkyponk Avatar
pinkyponk Gold Member Adrian Page
Berwick, NS, Canada   CAN
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Of the 4 I have only one had the wattage written on it A GE "Atlas" it's rated at 60/50. This is just a plain old sealed beam. No halogen.
The LUCAS had writing on it but when I rubbed the dust away for a better look the lettering rubbed off with the dust.

Adrian



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lewisrn Avatar
lewisrn Gold Member Bob L
Danville, IN, USA   USA
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1980 MG MGB "The "B"
Check out the Moss sealed beam halogen headlamps (171-105). They're only $19.95 each and make a startlingly brighter difference from the stock sealed beams. I have them on my car and they are brighter than the HID headlights on my daily driver.

As others have said, take this opportunity to install relays for both high and low beams.



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Donthuis Avatar
Donthuis Don van Riet
Rijswijk, ZH, Netherlands   NLD
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Original bulbs (called "duplo lamps" ) were only 45/50 Watts.

Nowadays, after a H4 conversion with relays to protect your headlight switch*) there is a wide selection to choose from. The minimum rating nowadays is 55/60 Watts, heavier ones exist, e.g. with these piercing "blue lights" made (un)popular by Mercedes and BMW. You may also choose the same power rating with extended lifetime, like Philips 4x versions.

In my rather recent unprotected past, I bought the last Philips -20% "low power or Green" versions of the H4 55/60 bulbs. They draw almost the same peak energy through the switch as the old 45/50 Watts duplo's. Now with the separate relais on dipped and high beam headlights installed last week, I however no longer need low power versions smileys with beer

*) PS Read Astley's excellent "MGB electrical systems" how to optimise and protect your MGB 12 Volts system with relays and the right fuses.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2014-04-17 09:50 AM by Donthuis.

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ingoldsb Silver Member Terry Ingoldsby
Calgary, AB, Canada   CAN
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1971 MG MGB
Quote: Original bulbs (called "duplo lamps" ) were only 45/50 Watts

At the time of the MGB, lamps with bulbs were not allowed in North America. AFAIK the original sealed beams were the same as all other 7" North American cars 60/55w (or maybe it was 60/50). The real problem with the original sealed beams was the beam pattern. A sort of blob known as the DOT pattern.

The biggest improvement (IMHO) you can make to your headlamps is to move to European E-code pattern lamps. Most of these come with H4 halogen bulbs. As others have noted, the power consumption of a stock H4 is about the same as the old sealed beams.

You might check out Daniel Stern's lighting site (Google for that that). He has lots of info about beam patterns and relays.

One final comment. Almost anything is an improvement over the stock DOT sealed beams. However, the quality of the lens is very much related to price. You would probably like Cibie headlamps but they are about double the price of the entry level halogen lamps.



Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

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ukelelejack Avatar
ukelelejack Silver Member Jacky Franklin
Elmwood, TN, USA   USA
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1972 Ford F-250 "The Hulk"
1977 MG MGB "JESSE"
Yes, I too had noticed the headlamp when I first had the car in the dark.....I am too old for these lights, thinks I. eye rolling smiley

So a fast upgrade to hal lamps seemed simplest, just could not seem to internet the wattage's, Thanks all for that info.

For Ernie and others that recommend relays, thank you, Never even occurred to me but now I'm prowling for units, again, thanks.

Bob, Thanks for the Moss lead, Looked on pages A26 and 90, and did not find them, I will call and ask, need bucket gaskets anyway.

Again to all...thanks guys for helping me build this car......ukelelejack


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ohlord Avatar
ohlord Platinum Member Rob C
A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA   USA
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1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI"
1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND"
1971 MG MGB
1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2"    & more
Hella H4 7 inch.
If you go over wattage don't just install relays,install heavier gauge wire and HD sockets.
Stock wiring is to small to support 80/100W bulbs.
Also proper aiming is as important as increased lumens.



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rntanner Avatar
rntanner Roger N. Tanner (Disabled)
Oxnard, CA, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB
1977 MG MGB
Go to your local auto supply and buy:

Sylvania H6024 Sealed Beam Headlight

These are brightest sealed beam headlamps available.



Roger N. Tanner
Professional Engineer, Retired

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Mikec Avatar
Mikec Mike C
Highlands Ranch, CO, USA   USA
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The factory sealed beam lamp was domed. The Hella halogen conversion (DOT and E-code) is a flat lens. The Cibie E-code (best light pattern) conversion is a domed lens. The Lucas conversion is a domed (poor light pattern, but cheap) lens. Most prefer the domed look on the B.

Light is all about volts! If you are experiencing voltage drop you will get less light, period. I have tested MGBs that have a 2 volt drop! Relays!!!! Watch out for the "gigawatt bulbs" claims. And 100 watt bulbs...careful...200 watts/13.5 volt (if NO voltage drop) = 14.8 amps, Relays are a MUST. Best to test your voltage drop, put in relays and buy quality conversion lamps and a clear 60/55 H4 bulb NOT made in China.

Even if you buy the Sylvania sealed beam lamps...Do a voltage Drop Test to be sure you are getting the most light out of them.

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ukelelejack Avatar
ukelelejack Silver Member Jacky Franklin
Elmwood, TN, USA   USA
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1972 Ford F-250 "The Hulk"
1977 MG MGB "JESSE"
Mike...do you do your voltage drop test by getting a baseline where? Regulator? Battery..

The regulator seems best..yes?

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