Head Light Upgrades ?

Cool thread. OUr headlights are very dim too...we know they are Ford Bronco lights but so far have only done a polishing which didnt help much. I will pass this info on to DH for consideration....the repainting project of the rear of the coach is just about finished so this may be a good next tweak to the old coach. So far we rarely travel after dark so it isnt a problem, but brighter lights would be a nice to have.

I solved the problem by never driving at night. My '02 Georgetown had such wimpy headlights, I was concerned that any speed above 40 mph would blow them out.

Driving in only the daylight hours wasn't a hardship for us, as physical issues (thigh cramps) limited my daily in-seat time to about 4 hours, even with breaks. DW couldn't drive the rig as it didn't have enough range of adjustment to accommodate someone under 5' tall with short legs. F53's were designed for the average US male truck driver! A telescopic steering column would have solved the issue.

When I was a transit coach driver, I was amazed at the range of adjustment the coaches (mainly Gilligs) had. Anyone from 4'6" to 7' tall could get comfortable. It's a pity that the RV manufacturers don't do more to accommodate very short and very tall drivers.

I've only had 2 RV's, a 1999 Fleetwood gasser and a 2008 Monaco DP. BOTH used relays to power the headlights.

If you've had to repolish your headlight lens, i'd for sure look to replacements. You just need to figure out what car or pickup truck the came from and find them online. Google the DOT# on the headlight housings.

For sure verify your coach has relays in the headlight circuit.

And look toward some better bulbs as described above.

wolfe10 wrote:
Buy two 40 amp regular automotive relays. Buy a spool of 10 gauge wire. Two fuse holders, wire terminals and fuses.

Currently it is likely that power to your head lights goes through your light switch. You will use these wires to close/open the relays-- one for low beams, one for high beams. Locate the relays/cut the high/low wires in any convenient location.

Supply power to the relay from any large gauge positive wire in the area-- plenty in either in the under dash or nose area of DP's or obliviously in front engine vehicles. Connect the fuse for each to that connection or even positive terminal of the battery if front engine. Then with the 10 gauge wire to the relays.

Then if wires to the lights are currently small gauge, replace wires from the relays to the lights and lights to ground.

It is amazing how much brighter a headlight is with 13.5+ VDC to it vs 11.8-12.2 that is so common with those long small gauge wire and drop in the head light switch.

This will cure the low voltage/current problem to the headlights. If I remember correctly, your MH has Cadillac headlight assemblies, 1998 year. They may not be aimed correctly, as these are fairly good units for light output, if they are getting good current supply.

Has anyone checked their ground wires? They can corrode and that will cause the lights to be dimmer. You will need to fix them before you upgrade lights.

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/

Hidplanet has a ton of info if you care to take a look. If you are not up for a diy projector retrofit, you can find someone there who you can hire to do yours. Check out the output shots& beam pattern section of the forum to see what the hid projectors are capable of. Prepare to be jealous!

Buy two 40 amp regular automotive relays. Buy a spool of 10 gauge wire. Two fuse holders, wire terminals and fuses.

Currently it is likely that power to your head lights goes through your light switch. You will use these wires to close/open the relays-- one for low beams, one for high beams. Locate the relays/cut the high/low wires in any convenient location.

Supply power to the relay from any large gauge positive wire in the area-- plenty in either in the under dash or nose area of DP's or obliviously in front engine vehicles. Connect the fuse for each to that connection or even positive terminal of the battery if front engine. Then with the 10 gauge wire to the relays.

Then if wires to the lights are currently small gauge, replace wires from the relays to the lights and lights to ground.

It is amazing how much brighter a headlight is with 13.5+ VDC to it vs 11.8-12.2 that is so common with those long small gauge wire and drop in the head light switch.

wolfe10 wrote:
For under $20 you can rewire the high and low beams through relays. Very likely to up the voltage by 1.5-2 VDC. Makes a HUGE difference in light output.

If you want the shopping list and "how to" and you are even slightly electrically competent, let us know.

I'd be interested in this. I definitely need to upgrade my headlights down the road. Currently replacing calipers and brake lines.. oy, the fun.

We have the Freightliner lights and they aren't worth a Tinkers dam.
neither are the big driving lights. They amount to no more than fire flies.
We've had to stop and open the door and use a flashlight to read signs.
Can't see thirty feet, out front, on hi beams with the driving lights.
Oncoming traffic doesn't seem to even notice high beams but they notice the fire fly driving lights and flash but not because the light blinds them.
Perhaps there is a kit available to replace the NHTSA reflector no lights and wires?
I'm too old and so on to get under there and try to rewire. It's ah cek of a reach from the ground up to the lights

A long time ago, maybe on this site, there was gent that was also having low quality light from his headlights on his M/H too. Well, he took it upon himself to do some serious changes to improve his lighting situation. Long story short, he changed his entire headlight assemblies from standard bulb/headlight bucket/housing, to a "PROJECTOR BEAM HID SYSTEM".

While it was a bit of work, the outcome was seriously better than any stock headlight (other than those using that technology already) assembly. He did a bit of body work etc. to accommodate the mounting system and, the close fit so that they looked like they were factory installed.

He supplied pictures of the entire process while the work was being done. When completed, he displayed the light patterns and brightness of the stock head lights and then, he did the same with the new Projector beams and it was phenomenal the difference. And, just as they do on the vehicles they come with from the factory, they had horizontal "cutoff" lines where they simply ZERO light above a certain height.

I do a fair amount of driving at night and I'd sure like to do that to our coach. Anyway, just a thought for you innovative types out there.
Scott