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Tripod headlights

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I just checked and Moss sells a halogen replacement bulb for their P700 Tripod headlamps. It is a direct replacement for their #170-600 tripod bulbs. At $19.95 compared to the normal $8.40 they ain't cheap but they should be a significant improvement.

Specs: 65/55W H4 halogen bulb.

According to the Moss catalog it is also a direct replacement for Lucas LLB370 bulbs but will not work with they’re PL700 Tripod headlights.
 
I like the PL's too.
 
The problem with most tripod bulbs, especially the new ones, is that they are not focused properly. If they were focused right, they would be brighter with a more even spread and better aim. I've heard that the quality control is so bad that they vary from bulb to bulb.

I have a set of PF770 8" Halogens on my TC and the focus / aim is terrible. But it's better than the bulbs that originally came on the car in the 1940's, so I'm ok with it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

On my BGT I've been very happy with original Lucas bulbs. Nice color, good brightness and great aim.
 
and the people on the other side of the road love you too! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
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Everything else just kind of absorbs into the bumpers and after a few hours it goes back to being greay...

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Lightly scuff them &spray paint with regular old semi-gloss black paint. I did a set like that in 1993 & they still look like new!
 
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The problem with most tripod bulbs, especially the new ones, is that they are not focused properly.

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Hmmm? Guess I’ll have to check – but everything went together without a hitch I just haven’t driven at night yet to check the focus & alignment.

Also I sprung for some Halogens bulbs like the ones I mentioned earlier for the P700s. While I can’t be 100% sure until I drive at night they seem significantly brighter than the normal bulbs that came with the tripods. I guess the real test would be to re-install one of the sealed beams headlights and check the difference after dark.

BTW I’m surprised nobody has mentioned this but for those of you who might be wondering, I checked the current draw (using a DMM & a current probe) with the Halogen bulbs vs. the normal sealed beam headlights on my wiring & connectors and it’s all more than adequate for the task. But that’s not to say that everyone with 30+ year old wiring would be up to the extra wattage. Leastways not without a thorough going over as I have done (cleaned & replaced as needed) or upgrading to either the wiring harness that VB sells or making your own dedicated wiring circuit.
 
Well, a real world test is what matters so if they look better than what you had then I'd say you're good to go! But there have definitely been a lot of reports of poor Q.C. on the tripods so be sure to check them out.

Nunyas, the spread on my TC's lamps is basically a big round blob. They light up everything in a big circle evenly. I'm sure oncoming drivers hate me! Lucky for them the focus issue is so bad that there is virtually no difference between low and high beams. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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