weak lights

[Mack]

Had the Freda for about a year now and perhaps I was too excited last winter to notice, but the front lights seem very weak - are there modifications I should make?

[bigdaddycain]

I'd ensure that the lenses are free from scratches (metallic t-cut works well) and the dreaded Japanese "anti-glare yellow film"

I have "all-weather" headlight bulbs in the bongo (matches the fogs), but i do use the "tesla" brand bulbs available from lidl occasionally, they have two options, blue/white light versions, and 50% brighter versions, which remain the all important 55watts.

The 50% brighter versions are very good indeed, and don't cause any extra glare for oncoming traffic... (i've not been flashed anyway)

Just be aware of the odd 100watt bulbs that crop up here and there, i have no idea if the standard bongo wiring, or indeed if the PLASTIC headlight lenses could handle them.

[Veg_Ian]

First of all check to see if there is a plastic film over the light. If there is, then a few people have used T Cut to remove it and improve things considerably. In addition you could try higher spec bulbs that claim to give a higher percentage of brightness. Use the search facility to see what bulbs others have used.

[Veg_Ian]

Damn - too slow

[bigdaddycain]

Damn - too slow

[Mack]

I can't see evidence of a film. I'm the second owner since import, so I would have thought it would have been removed? Looks like I need better bulbs - I may wait for better weather to change them though.......

[bigdaddycain]

Often the yellow film is left in situ, as it can be a laborious task to remove it...

As i have often mentioned in the past, out of the many vehicles i have owned down the years, the exact flat location of the bulb in the bongo can be a hit and miss affair, if the bulb isn't sitting ABSOLUTELY flat in it's holder, the beam will be so dispersed it will be useless for seeing the road properly... It may be worth checking that the bulbs are housed correctly? Have you got a distinct "spike"/cutoff point of the beam when close up to a wall etc?

[Mack]

The lights do not appear yellow.
Not sure what you mean by spike/cut off?

[dom_e]

I've fitted the Tesla Lidl bulbs and they are certainly brighter. Not bad for £4 and also means I have a spare set to hand should they blow.

I had a quick go at polising the lens, but I don't think I did it for long enough.

[bigdaddycain]

You know when you approach a flat surface with the lights on i.e. a wall, back of a lorry etc...? Is there a distinct "flat" edge to the top of the beam when on dips?

See how the top edge of the beam is blurred in the pic below?



If the lights cast that type of diffused light, the chances are that the bulbs aren't sat completely square in the holder's....

If they cast out a beam like this....



Then they are sat in the light correctly.... See how there is a defined "line" of light on the car?

[bigdaddycain]

I've fitted the Tesla Lidl bulbs and they are certainly brighter. Not bad for £4 and also means I have a spare set to hand should they blow.

Yes, they are very good, i can't recommend them enough... It's just a pity they sell out so quickly when they do become available at lidl's.

I usually buy a set of each type, as i have a couple of extra cars as well as the bongo,all have a different type of bulb.... (typical)

[Mack]

Thanks, I'll checck that out when I get home. Just to clarify it is the light reflected onto the van froom the garage door or wall?

[bigdaddycain]

If you pull up to a wall, or something slab sided, you should easily be able to see if you have a defined spike to your headlight beams, (with lights on, in the dark of course) Or a freindly garage that carries out mot's can test your lights on the headlight alignment gizmo....

They may be just fine, it was just a suggestion on why the lights MAY be below par

Hope ya get it sorted...