Does anyone know what, if any is the legal luminums for a headlight?
They sure are getting real bright in oncoming traffic.
They sure are getting real bright in oncoming traffic.
Legal headlamp?
- Thread starter OntarioVanMan
- Start date
Many years ago when I used to change the headlights on my cars the limit was 55w. I don't know if there's any lumens restrictions or not. The best ones back then were the Cibie halogens.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
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Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
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Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
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Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
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Fr8 Shaker
Veteran Expediter
Alot of times it isn't that they are brighter but that they are out of adjustment. I had a 93' Ford that right after I bought it new I was being flashed by oncoming vehicles, I took it into dealer and they said out of adjustment and alot were coming out of the factory that way.
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
many years ago it was about 25k candle power. with the new hid lights it sure seems like 75k.
i had a vw jetta many years ago that i had 2 100k fogs under the grille, 100k brights and 25/50 hi/lo beams. when all were lit up people miles away were flashing that car to reduce the light level. ahhhh misspent youth. the silverstar 9700s just don't do the trick.
here is a discussion from last year on lighting. seems usa legal is 51w/60w.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-127236.html
Jack Berry
i had a vw jetta many years ago that i had 2 100k fogs under the grille, 100k brights and 25/50 hi/lo beams. when all were lit up people miles away were flashing that car to reduce the light level. ahhhh misspent youth. the silverstar 9700s just don't do the trick.
here is a discussion from last year on lighting. seems usa legal is 51w/60w.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-127236.html
Jack Berry
10-4 on the 'out of adjustment', many drivers, talking 4-wheelers in particular here, do not realize it takes just a few turns of the proper screw driver to adjust. Many are too dim as well or pointed to low.
i believe any bulb that has a 'DOT' approval number stamped on it is legal. One thing to consider is, if you go over 65 watts, it may tax or over drain your charging/wiring to the point of melting wires or blowing fuses, i googled this info up as there is lots of good info out there. You can get kits to upgrade to 'high density' lights but this is a whole new ball game. When you pass a vehicle with HD's on the road and they forget to dim the brights, you definitely know it.
i always remember what a dude used to say that i worked with who taught defensive driving, 'don't flash on your brights to signal someone w/ brights on, because when you do, you then have two blind drivers coming at each other x( ', better to look down at the white line at the shoulder and save your retinas, among other things.
retidepxe
"Mama told me when I was young
Sit beside me, my only son,
Take your time... Don't live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass.
And don't forget son,
There is someone up above."
Simple Man
Lynyrd Skynyrd
i believe any bulb that has a 'DOT' approval number stamped on it is legal. One thing to consider is, if you go over 65 watts, it may tax or over drain your charging/wiring to the point of melting wires or blowing fuses, i googled this info up as there is lots of good info out there. You can get kits to upgrade to 'high density' lights but this is a whole new ball game. When you pass a vehicle with HD's on the road and they forget to dim the brights, you definitely know it.
i always remember what a dude used to say that i worked with who taught defensive driving, 'don't flash on your brights to signal someone w/ brights on, because when you do, you then have two blind drivers coming at each other x( ', better to look down at the white line at the shoulder and save your retinas, among other things.
retidepxe
"Mama told me when I was young
Sit beside me, my only son,
Take your time... Don't live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass.
And don't forget son,
There is someone up above."
Simple Man
Lynyrd Skynyrd
theoldprof
Veteran Expediter
On my GMC van I also had the Silverstar bulbs. My van had 4 headlights. You had 2 highs on or 2 lows. I installed a relay that when you put the highs on, you had all four. Hi and lows. That really lit up the road. Of course, I was very careful about oncoming traffic. Another thing about the Chev/GMC is that when you change a headlight bulb you must get the lens unit "hooked" in place at the lower edge. It will feel like it's OK if it isn't hooked, but the light will be aimed high.
:+ :+
:+ :+
Just bought the New Silverstar Ultra...a pair goes for 49.95 with a 10.00 rebate form.
Its still a 55 watt bulb BUT the amount of light (luminums is massive almost like high beam...technology has overcome old standards!
Its still a 55 watt bulb BUT the amount of light (luminums is massive almost like high beam...technology has overcome old standards!
unorthodoxneon
Expert Expediter
The silverstars dont have a real long life span compaired to other bulbs. Also the more you get those "brighter" headlights the more likely you are to burn up a headlight wireing harness...
If you want some of you can pick up an HID kit for your vehicles that help with the output alot better.
If you want some of you can pick up an HID kit for your vehicles that help with the output alot better.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
I am glad someone else notices this as well.
# one violator of High Beams I have observed is Honda Accord and Oddessy Mini Vans both have the same headlamps and design. They are to bright on low beams and than add the high WOW and the people driving these are inconsiderate SOBs. Even flashing yours on and off I have observed does not get them to react. (I know were not suppost to do that but just to darn bad you come at me full beam I am gona flash back and sometimes if no one is behind them there gona get it) again and I will not turn them back to low until they do as well.
PS I own an Accord with this design I know how much brightness they throw out. Difference I am considerate to oncoming traffic.
Second biggest offeneder is the Freighliner Columbia, ##### poor aiming design in there headlamp system looks like brights on all the time.
# one violator of High Beams I have observed is Honda Accord and Oddessy Mini Vans both have the same headlamps and design. They are to bright on low beams and than add the high WOW and the people driving these are inconsiderate SOBs. Even flashing yours on and off I have observed does not get them to react. (I know were not suppost to do that but just to darn bad you come at me full beam I am gona flash back and sometimes if no one is behind them there gona get it) again and I will not turn them back to low until they do as well.
PS I own an Accord with this design I know how much brightness they throw out. Difference I am considerate to oncoming traffic.
Second biggest offeneder is the Freighliner Columbia, ##### poor aiming design in there headlamp system looks like brights on all the time.
Are there different laws on this for straight trucks/tractors etc vs. passenger/vans? Are the whiter/blue bulbs legal on bigger trucks. I don't often see them. Layoutshooter
unorthodoxneon
Expert Expediter
Ive seen a few big trucks with different kinds of lights in them. Seen a volvo with what looked to be a HID kit put in it. Lit up the road real nice in front of it. Just not sure how the cars in front of the truck enjoyed it. I was comming from the other direction and he seemed to have them pointed down and wasnt blinding me..