Just importing a LHD car so looking for advice on headlamp conversion to UK spec for 1969 S1 - Are Lucas units readily available or do i need Carello ones?
Many thanks
Fulvia 1.6HF Conversion of headlamps to from LHD to RHD
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m!
Re: Fulvia 1.6HF Conversion of headlamps to from LHD to RHD
ahhh!
...a 1969 s1 1,6 eh!
Tell us some more
m!
...a 1969 s1 1,6 eh!
Tell us some more
m!
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Huib
Re: Fulvia 1.6HF Conversion of headlamps to from LHD to RHD
You don't have to change the inner ones as they are for main beam.
The outer ones are standard 5 3/4" units available from a variety of manufacturers. Both the H1 low beam units and the H4 low + high beam units will fit the slot pattern on the ring which serves as mounting base. Just make sure it is a version with city light.
The outer ones are standard 5 3/4" units available from a variety of manufacturers. Both the H1 low beam units and the H4 low + high beam units will fit the slot pattern on the ring which serves as mounting base. Just make sure it is a version with city light.
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neil cundy
Re: Fulvia 1.6HF Conversion of headlamps to from LHD to RHD
I also have this issue with my Fanalone. As Huib says only the outer have to be changed. There are many makes you can use, Omicron can supply but they will be cheaper from somewhere like Halfords or one of the many Alfe Romeo specialists (Alfaholics for instance). Trying to find the correct Carello pattern RHD lights will be very difficult. In 12 months I have found one, there is a guy in Cyprus who occassionally advertises on EBay who had (has?) some but he was asking €300 each - needless to say they didn't sell !!
I have got a set of later (1974) pattern alfa lights that I may use - although they have the later square script. The only issue with the later lights is they will probably have a different connector on the back but it is no big deal to change.
I have got a set of later (1974) pattern alfa lights that I may use - although they have the later square script. The only issue with the later lights is they will probably have a different connector on the back but it is no big deal to change.
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ecoangel
Re: Fulvia 1.6HF Conversion of headlamps to from LHD to RHD
Many thanks guys. I will look into the 5 3/4 inch ones this week.
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Neil
Re: Fulvia 1.6HF Conversion of headlamps to from LHD to RHD
I have fitted Cibie H130 units and have a convex lens which have H4 bulbs to my S2 LHD, so will require a bit of rewiring with an appropriate relay to switch the bulb from dipped beam to main beam and are readily available in the UK. There are H1 units available I seem to remember which may not need rewiring, possible the connectors only. I do know of a S1 coupe with Hella VW Scirroco (Mk1) headlamps with the flat glass lens, but I understand that took some adaption of the fittings so may not be such a good match.
Neil
Neil
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m!
Re: Fulvia 1.6HF Conversion of headlamps to from LHD to RHD
What do you suggest as a replacement for the inner lamps as one of mine has had water in the past and has corroded somewhat?
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neil cundy
Re: Fulvia 1.6HF Conversion of headlamps to from LHD to RHD
Depends what the car is ?? If it is a Fanalone there are many places selling 7" headlights. There are also many threads on here detailing sensible modifications to the lighting circuit to get the best out of any given system.
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Huib
Re: Fulvia 1.6HF Conversion of headlamps to from LHD to RHD
There are indeed many 7" units but the ones I have seen are all low / high beam combinations. What you want for the Fanalone is a long range beam. I haven't seen those.
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Huib
Re: Fulvia 1.6HF Conversion of headlamps to from LHD to RHD
Carello and Cibie are the top makes. Both have good patterns and last for a long time. Many of the cheaper ones last for only a year.
Carello is as you say difficult to get but Cibie is still available although no longer all models unfortunately. Cibie used to have a duplo unit for the old fashioned tungsten bulbs which could be switched from LHD to RHD by turning a ring around the lamp base. I like these but use the 45/40 watt halogen equivalent to the old duplo bulb. 40 watt (fresh bulb, good wiring, healthy lenses and reflectors, efficient beam pattern!!) is enough for dipped beams on a Fulvia coupe with the standard height of head lamps. Unfortunately it is no longer in production but you may find it. Other wise you go to H4 units. H4 bulbs are 60/55 watts.
See http://www.cars-gb.com/cibie_m.htm
For the outer ones you need a H130 model with main/dip/side and H4 bulb. You can use it as dip only or as main / dip which may require re-wiring depending whether you have an S1 or S2 Fulvia.
Or you can use the surface complex dipped only + side unit as a direct replacement for the S2 outer lights.
These are phenomenal. While standard parabolic reflectors return 25% of the light into a usefull pattern, the surface complex units return 47% of the light into an even more usefull pattern. The lenses are clear and flat as the pattern is shaped by the computer calculated reflector. Don't use any lamps stronger than 55 watt or the reflector will melt! Adjusting is critical. If even slightly too low, you will have a very sharp transition from light to dark. If correctly aimed you have the impression that your main beam is on while you have a legal low beam and you will also notice that the overhead signs are suddenly easy to read during the night.
Note that the mounting rings for the lamps have three slots. The slots at roughly 2 o'clock and 7 o'clock are identical. The one at 11 o'clock is slightly different in position between the inner units and the outer units.
The position on the outer units is for dipped only or dipped / main units.
The position on the inner ones is for main beam only units.
It might be possible to use the lamp unit of the Cibie Oscar SC (which should be availabe without the pod) for the inner ones on the Fanalone but I have never come around to trying it. If it works, they will light the moon.
Carello is as you say difficult to get but Cibie is still available although no longer all models unfortunately. Cibie used to have a duplo unit for the old fashioned tungsten bulbs which could be switched from LHD to RHD by turning a ring around the lamp base. I like these but use the 45/40 watt halogen equivalent to the old duplo bulb. 40 watt (fresh bulb, good wiring, healthy lenses and reflectors, efficient beam pattern!!) is enough for dipped beams on a Fulvia coupe with the standard height of head lamps. Unfortunately it is no longer in production but you may find it. Other wise you go to H4 units. H4 bulbs are 60/55 watts.
See http://www.cars-gb.com/cibie_m.htm
For the outer ones you need a H130 model with main/dip/side and H4 bulb. You can use it as dip only or as main / dip which may require re-wiring depending whether you have an S1 or S2 Fulvia.
Or you can use the surface complex dipped only + side unit as a direct replacement for the S2 outer lights.
These are phenomenal. While standard parabolic reflectors return 25% of the light into a usefull pattern, the surface complex units return 47% of the light into an even more usefull pattern. The lenses are clear and flat as the pattern is shaped by the computer calculated reflector. Don't use any lamps stronger than 55 watt or the reflector will melt! Adjusting is critical. If even slightly too low, you will have a very sharp transition from light to dark. If correctly aimed you have the impression that your main beam is on while you have a legal low beam and you will also notice that the overhead signs are suddenly easy to read during the night.
Note that the mounting rings for the lamps have three slots. The slots at roughly 2 o'clock and 7 o'clock are identical. The one at 11 o'clock is slightly different in position between the inner units and the outer units.
The position on the outer units is for dipped only or dipped / main units.
The position on the inner ones is for main beam only units.
It might be possible to use the lamp unit of the Cibie Oscar SC (which should be availabe without the pod) for the inner ones on the Fanalone but I have never come around to trying it. If it works, they will light the moon.