Head lights

[badali]

My 230 SL has General Electric lights that are not very bright.  They may be the original lights since they appear to have the same amount of road rash as the front bumper.  Has anyone found a nice bright replacement to use?  I would like to put a nice set on before I drive to Blacklick in September.

[Norm]

If you want expert advise on headlights I suggest you contact this supplier.  He was very helpful in walking me through various light choices.

I believe I got his name from information posted from a previous PUB...

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

Norm

[Jack Jones]

Well, I work for General Electric and sometimes they are not very bright.

My 230 SL has General Electric lights that are not very bright.  They may be the original lights since they appear to have the same amount of road rash as the front bumper.  Has anyone found a nice bright replacement to use?  I would like to put a nice set on before I drive to Blacklick in September.

[Naj ✝︎]

Look for 'Cibie's 

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/headlights/cibie-7-inch-e-approved-headlight-conversions

naj

[rwmastel]

Brad,
Here's someone unhappy with one brand:  http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=14340.0
Maybe a helpful thread?  http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=18602.0
Going down the rabbit hole of manufacturer information - interesting read but not relavent:  http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=12163.0
Useful thread:  http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3490.0
Useful thread:  http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=11623.0

[badali]

Thanks for the info.  I'll look into each of these and see what is still available.

[66andBlue]

Hi Brad,
if you have the US style sealed beam headlamps then you have two options. You can replace the old lamps with halogen sealed beams - such as the 7" Cibies - or much more cheaply cheaply with Sylvania H6024 = PAR56, on Amazon.com.
 But a better solution would be a true conversion kit such as the one from Hella: http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/products/auxiliary-lamps/sealed-beam-conversion-headlamps/vision-plus-7in-conversion-headlamp/.
Available here: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hla-002395801
However as Norm suggested call Daniel Stern for more suggestions: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html
he also sells the Cibies.

[badali]

I went with the Sylvania H6024.  They were $32 for the pair.  They look much brighter than the GE lights...  Thanks for all the help.

[Kayvan]

I currently have 7" Wagner Halogen Sealed Beams; I am assuming these are "budget" quality on par with Sylvania, Phillps etc

Would it be a substantial improvement to upgrade to the CIBIE Halogen Sealed Beams OR the Hella Halogen Conversion in brightness, clarity, etc 

http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/products/auxiliary-lamps/sealed-beam-conversion-headlamps/vision-plus-7in-conversion-headlamp/

[Norm]

I went the conversion route and have been happy with that choice.

Norm

[Tyler S]

Kayvan, the upgrade is definately worth it. The conversions throw the light on the road, not up in the trees like the sealed beams. I had the Cibie's installed for about 3 weeks and the difference is 2 fold. I removed the cibie's because I found a pair of NLA Bosch H-4's. There was something about the Cibie's that bothered me. The glass pattern was strange. Made the car look like it had eyelashes! The Hella's are a good option.
Tyler

[ja17]

Back in the rally car days, I used the conversion H4 type. I used Bosch, Marchel, and Cibie at different times over the years. I liked them all. You could choose the intensity (wattage) of the lamp to install in the units. At some point you could have so much wattage that your stock alternator could not keep up with the load. I was especially impressed with the Cibie "Z" beams. The light pattern illuminated to the max far down the road on your side, but cut back and under the oncoming traffic on the other side of the road.

[Benz Dr.]

Back in the rally car days, I used the conversion H4 type. I used Bosch, Marchel, and Cibie at different times over the years. I liked them all. You could choose the intensity (wattage) of the lamp to install in the units. At some point you could have so much wattage that your stock alternator could not keep up with the load. I was especially impressed with the Cibie "Z" beams. The light pattern illuminated to the max far down the road on your side, but cut back and under the oncoming traffic on the other side of the road.

 Fantastic lights. Worth every penny.

[Tyler S]

Nope, your good. All the heat is at the rear of the lamp/housing. Make sure your harness connectors are in good shape. Tighten and clean the terminals if needed. Use the standard 55/60 watt 9003 H-4 bulb. Don't use a higher wattage with the factory wiring.

[Tyler S]

Kayvan, Here ya go.
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Halogen-Replacement-Headlight-Standard/dp/B000FKIURK/ref=pd_sbs_263_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=51ATA9KM6YL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1SXC9CNRJ98F99ZV3DVN

[Kayvan]

Installed the Hella H4 Halogen E-code Conversions (#H6024) this weekend; $85 from Summit Racing, with overnite delivery.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hla-002395801

First off, the quality of the lens is like baccarat Crystal with almost a blue clarity and defined vertical lines.

Much flatter / flush profile and more classic Euro/vintage look.

Seemed to fit in chrome rings easier and easier to install headlight doors.

Extremely bright; will road test.

Nice to have Hellas on a Mercedes !