Upgrading Headlight Cluster and Lighting Loom

[Scroggle]

Hi folks,

Having fitted another batch of headlamps to my Citroen C4 GP (61 reg), I'm looking to do better.
I've bought a range of lamps from cheap to expensive, and my last ones which were mid range (I suppose, they were Osram Cool Blue Intense H7 headlight bulbs with a Xenon look (2 bulbs)).

I know I can't go HID, as much as I miss them from my Mondeo.
I don't think I can install LED either.

So is there anything else I can do?

I have messaged the autoelectrician I use, but don't want to pester him too much, but he has said this is due to the thin wiring Citroen have installed.
Is the wiring easy to replace by myself for instance?

I've installed LED's for my reg plate, and they only become "faulty" when the engine isn't running, but otherwise, they've been great, so would love something reliable.

[GiveMeABreak]

No you can't presently, legally put LED or HID bulbs in Halogen lamps. The wiring is designed for the factory lamps. Fitting anything of higher wattage will likely cause a burn out / fire. I'd leave well alone and just do what most people do for a legal upgrade - choose a road legal upgrade bulb from your suppliers.

[Sloppysod]

I don't think they ever fitted LED lighting to a Picasso, so there won't be a reflector and lens assembly designed to fit. So apart from road legal replacement bulbs that's it. Sorry.

You have to remember, there is alot of calculations and research that an OEM lamp supplier has to do to meet the specific light pattern and specifications required.
The only calculation that an aftermarket supplier is likely to do, will be, will the LED bulb fit through the hole! They won't care that is could dazzle oncoming traffic, pay your fine, or MOT retest fee, especially as they have taken you money already.

Also, be careful of Xenon bulbs 'for off road use only' you can still get knocked if plod wants to be funny.

[Scroggle]

Sorry Sloppysod, I'm not looking to do anything illegal, just simply change to the cluster to accommodate Xenon's (I know there won't be an array for LED, as that was the much newer model of mine).
I've noticed that Osram have made an H7-LED but my model isn't listed, so it's a no go there.

I think the misunderstanding was from my mentioning my Mondeo had HID's installed, this was installed prior to the MOT changes, and I sold that car for the C4GP.

GiveMeABreak, I'm not wanting higher voltage bulbs, as LED should be less, but with the mention above of the H7-LED range, as it's not on my model, I'll leave that.
I'd be interested to see if an auto electrician can upgrade the wiring loom, so that removes the fragility of the wiring, which may improve the longevity.

Considering my last lamps were bought and fitted in January, I think every 8 months is unreasonable to replace lamps, considering my Mondeo never needed new lamps (until I upgraded to the HID's).

Was just wondering if anyone else has had the same issue and what they have done to have more stable lighting.

[GiveMeABreak]

I don't understand what the issue is as your first post was on about upgrades, LEDs and HIDs.

1) Headlamp bulbs should always be installed in pairs, so if you are getting early failures consider that.
2) If you are using a legal 'Upgrade' halogen bulb, then be aware that you will get less life out of them - that's a fact. Brighter bulbs = less life. That's the trade off.

Get a decent brand and never touch the bulbs with your skin when fitting - wear latex gloves as the slightest oil from your skin can degrade the life of the bulb.

[Scroggle]

Hi,

While I'd love to upgrade my lamps, I'm not looking to do anything illegal (I'm suffering a migraine, so I may not have been as coherent as I thought I was).
My initial comment was
"I know I can't go HID, as much as I miss them from my Mondeo.
I don't think I can install LED either."

Knowing I cannot fit HID's and LED's, unless E Rated (from my research), and currently only Osram make an LED H7 replacement, and unfortunately my car model is currently NOT on their retrofit listing.

1: I always replace lamps in pairs, as I'm aware of the different colouring (using white lamps for instance) etc, along with other issues.
2: I'm not using any legal "upgrades" currently, except buying whiter lamps, which are road legal (such as the one I listed).
They have never been brighter, or sold as brighter, but having the blue tint to them to appear more white - hopefully this makes more sense.

As for decent brand, as I believe I mentioned, I have bought a wide range of lamps. From cheap, to expensive. The next ones I'll be ordering will be the night breaker ones.

I also always fit with latex gloves, as again, I'm aware of the oils.

[GiveMeABreak]

except buying whiter lamps

That is an upgrade... anything that is not a standard halogen with yellowish tint to the light is generally classed as an upgraded bulb. Many are legal - but over a certain brightness they are not.

I was just mentioning those points as they are the ones most people forget that have a bearing on the longevity of the bulbs.

[wheeler]

The night breakers are really good but as said the lifespan is terrible. I couldn't get any more than 3 months out of a set. After the second set i thought it aint worth it replacing them every 3 months. Both sets were bought from (different) official suppliers so would have been genuine. I've heard there are a lot of fakes out there.

[myglaren]

I found Philips Xtreme Vision or whatever they call them now - they seem to reinvent the name frequently - to be excellent, allegedly better beam pattern due to more precise positioning of the filament.
They also seemed to last a reasonable time, around 18 months.

Had the current car three years and have no idea what the bulbs might be, never needed to change one.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, watch the warranty - or more importantly the lack of it. Because of the trade-off with some of these upgrades, some bulbs will get a year warranty (like mine) and others that are brighter will not give any warranty at all.

I use Philips X-treme Vision +130% H7 and these I believe had a warranty - but are sold out at a lot of places. I buy mine from Powerbulbs.

https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/phil ... 30-h7-twin