improving Acura Legend lighting

[StuMG]

I want to replace my low beam halogen bulbs in my headlamps with a better, legal bulb to improve the lighting.

Is there a place in Toronto Canada that can check and confirm the power supply to the headlights is OK and also supply me with the proper improved bulbs ?

I really want to do this the right way, and don't want to be sold some POS fake bulbs.

Thanks all !

 

[Alaric Darconville]

Welcome to the CandlePowerForums!

If you're in Toronto, Canada, and can use a volt-ohm meter, then there is a place you can go to check and confirm the power supply to your headlamps is OK: Your driveway.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html has instructions on how to check the voltage drop on your headlamp circuit.

If nothing else, if you have a trusted mechanic, you can print these instructions out for her to follow (although they should serve more as a reminder, because this is something somewhat rudimentary).

As far as what bulbs to get, it of course depends on what type your vehicle uses. I would recommend the Philips Xtreme Power bulbs; they are designed for stock wattages and therefore will be less taxing on underspecced wiring. Overwattage bulbs won't be much benefit if the higher current draw causes a larger voltage sag on weak wiring.

You've done well to come here looking for the right bulbs-- far too often, people go to car enthusiast forums and get steered towards the "High-Per Wyte Ultra 8000K Xenon JDM-style" bulbs which do nothing useful but empty their wallets.

 

[-Virgil-]

What year Legend?

 

[StuMG]

to check and confirm the power supply to your headlamps is OK: Your driveway.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html has instructions on how to check the voltage drop on your headlamp circuit.

Thanks !

What year Legend?

1994

 

[-Virgil-]

Oh, that's easy, then. HIR2 low beam and HIR1 high beam bulbs. Thread here and availability here.

(Yes, you should check for voltage drop and if it's significant, install relays and better wiring. But putting in the good bulbs and making sure the lights are aimed correctly and in good condition will get you a real right-now improvement without needing to do anything else.)

 

[StuMG]

My new bulbs arrived .... Toshiba 9012 HIR - 2 Halogen IR

Can someone answer these 2 basic questions ....

1. Aren't the new Philips bulbs (which I thought I ordered ) a brighter, longer lasting ( better ) bulb ?

2. Will these bulbs replace my low beam halogen bulbs ( 9005 or 9006 - not sure of the number ) without modifying the base ?


Thanks

 

[StuMG]

My new bulbs arrived .... Toshiba 9012 HIR - 2 Halogen IR

Can someone answer these 2 basic questions ....

1. Aren't the new Philips bulbs (which I thought I ordered ) a brighter, longer lasting ( better ) bulb ?

2. Will these bulbs replace my low beam halogen bulbs ( 9005 or 9006 - not sure of the number ) without modifying the base ?


Thanks

bump

 

[-Virgil-]

My new bulbs arrived .... Toshiba 9012 HIR - 2 Halogen IR
1. Aren't the new Philips bulbs (which I thought I ordered ) a brighter, longer lasting ( better ) bulb ?

Yes. The Philips bulbs are these. The Toshiba ones are these.

2. Will these bulbs replace my low beam halogen bulbs ( 9005 or 9006 - not sure of the number ) without modifying the base ?

No, you have to make minor mods to the bulb base so that they will fit. Diagram and info is here on the vendor's site.

 

[StuMG]

Yes. The Philips bulbs are these. The Toshiba ones are these.

No, you have to make minor mods to the bulb base so that they will fit. Diagram and info is here on the vendor's site.

Thanks .... well I will just use the ones they sent.

There must be a logical reason why the bases won't fit without modification .... just wondering what the logic is ?

 

[-Virgil-]

Because the 9011 and 9012 aren't designed as direct replacements for 9005 and 9006. They're separate, different bulb types that just happen to have identical (and therefore compatible) geometry to 9005 and 9006, except for the wider base tabs.

 

[StuMG]

I got the bulbs modified and installed, and definitely better, but I still need a bit more light.
Driving in the pouring rain last night was really difficult, I could hardlly see the lane markers !

So, what can I do now ?

 

[-Virgil-]

Well, what condition are the headlamps themselves in? Lenses nice and clear, or are they clouded-up and pitted? Are the lamps aimed correctly (are you sure?)

Road markings are really difficult to see in the rain no matter what kind of lights you have, because the road surface changes from being a diffuse reflector (which bounces the light hitting it in all directions, including back to your eyes) to a specular reflector (which bounces the light off at the angle exactly opposite where it came from, i.e., away from your eyes and towards the eyes of oncoming traffic).

 

[StuMG]

Thanks for the speedy reply.

The lenses are clear with no clouding or pitting, and the reflectors look new also.

I am pretty sure they are properly aimed, but I will double check ... thanks for the link for that too !

Edit : Just read that link. following those instructions is going to take some time to do .... was hoping to get someting a bit simpler, lol.
Thanks again