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Lucas PL700 headlamps w/ halogen bulbs?

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Driven76

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Hey Guys,

One of the sealed beam headlamps just went south on my '76 TR6.

If I were to replace with a set of the PL700's with halogen bulbs, will I be running any risks with my stock wiring/electrical?

Thanks,
Roger
 
Well, I think that you'll probably be OK.

But..,
When it comes to old cars, I have a philosophy that I go by: Make sure that items that can get you killed are in tip-top shape. To me, this includes vital drive train components, brakes, seat belts, and lights and lighting electrical.

If you're going to upgrade the lights past what the factory had in mind with it, and halogen's definitely fit that bill, I think you should upgrade the wiring to go along with it. Advance Autowire makes a nice kit just for this. I used this very same kit when I installed my Cibie's (which you might consider as an alternative to the PL700's BTW). When installed correctly, you can't even tell that the kit's there.
 
Mine are fine for now after running all last year with them. However, I agree with Shannon and those are very near the top of the "spring to-do list", with new wiring and possibly a relay set in.
 
FWIW, I've heard reports that some of the reproduction PL700s on the market today are junk from an optical point of view (not that originals were all that wonderful).

Halogen bulbs should be no problem on the stock wiring and switches, if they are in good shape and you stick to no more than 55/65 watt bulbs. You won't get as much light as with relays & heavier wire, IMO, but the stock setup won't burn up or anything like that.
 
Based on Randall's response, and Shannon's advice I think I will look into the Cibie's instead of the reproduction PL700's.

I'm also with you Paul on the new wiring kit. Even though it sounds like my stock set is OK sticking with 55/65 watt bulbs. I think I might sleep a bit better having the added protection.

Thanks everyone... have a safe and happy New Year!

Roger
 
I've had the P700's in my car for about a year and I've had no problems with them at all, Plus great visablity!


Happy New Year All!!!!

Bill & Debbie
North Haven,Ct

DSC07730.jpg
 
Bill, those lamps look fabulous on your TR6. Nothing like the OEM Lucas lamps on these cars, it really sets the car off, I think!

Happy New Year to all, if you're driving, do it safely!
 
Randall,

This is one time that I have to disagree with you (or rather the information that you have been given). I have the reproductions and they are great for visibility. I can't compare them to anything but a new standard headlamp, but they are better than that.

I'm not saying that they are better than a Cibie, which I have always considered to be the best lamps made, but better than the run of the mill lamps.

Perhaps it depends on the source. Mine came from TRF this past spring. I don't know where the ones that you refer to were from.

In any case, Happy New Year.....

Oh, I just happen to like the look of these better than the stock units, so that's why I have them.
 
Brosky said:
Perhaps it depends on the source.
Click to expand...
I'm quite sure it does, which is why I said "some" reproductions.

It's nice to know Charles is selling good ones (assuming of course that they are all the same).

I don't think any of our vendors knowingly sell junk, but quality control is a surprisingly common problem area these days.

All the same, I think I'll stick with my Cibies /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
All I can compare different lighting types are are Sylvania Silverstars without relays to Cibies lamps with full relays.

The quality of the Cibie lights has got to be seen in order to believed.. the "crispness" of the light is amazing. They don't look as cool as the tripods, but they sure as heck can light up the night.

I do think using the relays is the way to go.
 
i got hella h4 conversions, with 80/70 yellowstars. i got the relay kit. im hoping to have them installed by friday. this car is scary in the dark!
 
Have to agree with all the Cibie talk. Especially that you have to see them to believe them idea. Have had them in my TR6 for years and am going to put the same into my TR8. No doubt about it! Well worth the extra bucks!
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] I'm quite sure it does, which is why I said "some" reproductions. [/QUOTE]

Yes, you did. I stand corrected.

By the way, where do you keep your Cibies, I mean your TR3 parked at night?
 
Brosky said:
By the way, where do you keep your Cibies, I mean your TR3 parked at night?
Click to expand...
The wrecked 3A is in the driveway, wrapped in car covers & rope (so the neighbors don't complain). The project 3 is in the garage (but doesn't have headlights at the moment).

Then there's 3 Cibies in on one Stag in the driveway, and one on the other Stag in the driveway; while the other set of 4 Cibies is in a crate in the garage.

I was actually hoping to do a photo series about the differences in lights, but the pictures I took didn't come out so good. Need to figure out how to get my digital camera to shorten the exposure time. This is one Cibie E-code, compared to an ordinary tungsten (GE) bulb, both on low beam and reasonably well aimed. The difference in beam pattern & cutoff is obvious (note particularly how much more of the old lamp goes up into the oncoming driver's eyes), but what isn't apparent is how much brighter and whiter the Cibie light appears. That's a 55/60 "high efficacy" bulb in the Cibie.

Then I hope to do another comparison of the E-codes with the "high tech" "Complex Surface Reflector" Cibies I'm putting on the 'new' Stag.
 
Hella or Cibie, they are a VAST improvement over any sealed beam made. We always put Cibies in the LBC's as soon as the things were titled in our name. Standard wiring has never been a problem, but cleaning the Lucar connectors was also part of the drill when fitting. I've seen MANY of the female/female connectors crumble as a result of corrosion resistance and associated heat over time. Dielectric grease on cleaned connections helps reduce this. The 22 cal. "gun barrel" wire brushes are great for cleaning the bores of the Lucars, BTW.
 
There were three noticeable differences that I observed between Cibies and standard lenses. The 'cut-off' that Randall shows, the brightness and the lack of 'hot-spots' which instead gives an extremely even flood of light across your path.

I personally haven't used Hella's but do hear several good things about them.
 
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