Crummy headlights - Can't see, need upgrade
My old 2007 GMC has never had the best headlights. Driving from Lethbridge to Calgary last night I was really cussing them. Old original factory headlights and I cannot see worth a darn. They are...
Forum Discussion
BobsYourUncle wrote:
I really do want to get away from the factory housings. They are old and outdated, even if I replace them with new ones.
If I am going to replace the whole assembly I may as well put the money towards some better and more effective reflector design.
I have tried several different styles of bulbs, but the improvement was only marginal.
I have never checked the voltage though, as suggested here.
Higher wattage bulbs actually will make things worse with OEM wiring, higher wattage bulbs have lower resistance which will create a higher voltage drop across all of the OEM wiring harness.. End result is even lower voltage at the bulb which means less brightness.
Higher wattage bulbs also tend to have a very short life span and basically you will be replacing them more often.
Bulbs need to be at battery voltage as measured when vehicle is running or not running.. Anything less is just a waste of energy along the wiring and will benefit from a relay kit..
New stock housing may help slightly if the lens and reflector are in bad shape but I would check the voltage first to see where that is before tossing hundreds of dollars down the toilet..
Yes, LEDs would correct the voltage drop, but the side effects of LEDs retrofitted in halogen fixtures may result in less than stellar performance and not to mention blind oncoming traffic.
