Community Forums

smlranger · 01-06-2017, 05:57 AM

Drove the coach at night for the first time in a long while. Was reminded again how weak the headlights are. Using high beams helps but low beams are just pretty pitiful.

My right side driving/fog light is out. Looks like I can replace the bulb in it but not sure until we get to FL and I can get into it. Was wondering if anyone has re-aimed the driving lights higher to supplement the low beams and, if so, did it help? Also, has anyone replaced the OEM headlight bulbs with Silverstar Ultra?

If we drove at night much I would seriously consider some sort of headlight upgrade. Since we don't usually do that, I will try to just make what I have better.

gbstewart · 01-06-2017, 06:42 AM

I have been doing a lot of night driving using my dodge mini van and wanted better lighting on the Hwy . I added a 20inch led light bar, wired it to a on/off switch, and to high beam switch . Wow what a difference , it took the eye strain away, and lit up the road, and sides, now I see moose and deer. Our bus has crap for lights and I installed a 20 inch led bar on it as well, but we don't drive to much at night , but it's there if we need it, there are lots of options in sizes of light bars, for the cost and simple installation , I would look at them for a option
gbstewart

CarlAda · 01-06-2017, 10:13 AM

I don't drive at night very often, but look forward to hearing ideas and opinions on this issue.

bneukam · 01-06-2017, 10:40 AM

Drove mine one time at night and was raining also. Never will I do that again.
All lights were working, and there is no tarnishing on the covers.
Wondering if you can run high beams, and angle the lenses downward to light up more of the road.
Just a thought.

Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum

firedoc · 01-06-2017, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbstewart

I have been doing a lot of night driving using my dodge mini van and wanted better lighting on the Hwy . I added a 20inch led light bar, wired it to a on/off switch, and to high beam switch . Wow what a difference , it took the eye strain away, and lit up the road, and sides, now I see moose and deer. Our bus has crap for lights and I installed a 20 inch led bar on it as well, but we don't drive to much at night , but it's there if we need it, there are lots of options in sizes of light bars, for the cost and simple installation , I would look at them for a option
gbstewart

Many States have laws restricting the number of forward facing white lights you can have. Just sayin...

Mr_D · 01-06-2017, 11:47 AM

Well, I replaced the bulbs with high powered LED's. Found they gave me a great spread out to about 50' and nothing further. Work great if I'm following someone since it won't blind them. Pure waste of money IMHO.
Now have some high powered regular bulbs to put in and re-aim the lights. Supposed to be about 125% of the original beam power.

Mr_D · 01-06-2017, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedoc

Many States have laws restricting the number of forward facing white lights you can have. Just sayin...

Yep, WA is that way. Last time I looked you couldn't have high beams on at the same time as fog or driving lights, in fact my '14 CR-V is wired that way from the factory.

smlranger · 01-06-2017, 03:24 PM

Upon further checking, the 55 watt bulb in my driving light was fine but the connections were a bit corroded. Cleaned them up and all is good.

I am going to try replacing the OEM 9007 bulbs in the headlights with Silverstar 9007 Ultra bulbs. Based on the reviews on Amazon, these bulbs are indeed brighter but don't last as long as the standard bulbs.

TonySheri · 01-06-2017, 05:13 PM

While my MH was at CC in OR I had them replace the light bulbs with HID and clean/polish the exterior lens covers. While this was a 100% improvement over the prior set up it still not great. I try to avoid driving at night if possible.

The changes to the prototype 2016 CC front included a complete redesign of the headlights - maybe this is the solution, but it will cost a few $$ to get it done as it is a customized solution.

rampage42 · 01-07-2017, 12:14 AM

Take the lamp out, get the number and order an HID kit, they are $50 or less on Ebay or Amazon and work awesome. Plug and go, should not take more than 30 minutes total.
I have done this on many vehicles.
Get the 4,000 to 5,000 kelvin rating.
You can change the high beams as well on my 08 Affinity.

leesdx1 · 01-07-2017, 11:52 AM

Check out this link below and do a search on this forum. A lot members including me has done this or similar mod with good results.

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

smlranger · 01-10-2017, 03:47 PM

So I decided for now to get two Silverstar Ultra 9007 bulbs. Simple to change out headlight bulbs, right? Wrong.

.

I attempt to simply pull the connector from the existing lights and they won't budge. I tried everything I could think of without destroying the connector....gently prying with small screwdriver, pulling on connector with pliers. Nothing would work. They absolutely would not budge.

So since I was replacing the existing bulbs, I broke the plastic base of the bulb from the connector in small pieces. There was a big glob of what looked like some sort of adhesive and there was no way I would have ever pulled that connector out. Plus, there was a similar sticky goo on the three pins such that when I finally pulled the connector off the bulb base, the female fittings in the bulb base pulled out of the bulb and remained stuck in the connector. I was finally able to extract them from the connector. The connector is not in good shape so I hope to find two new ones to splice in at an auto parts store.

I am wondering if the goo was some sort of conductive grease that turned to glue with the heat from the bulbs.

Also discovered with my VOM that I only have 11.76 VDC at the low beam wires. That probably explains part of the dim bulb issue but fixing that will be another project.

Wow, nothing is simple of these beasts

.