At risk of taking us further off topic, no, I don't have problems with premature lock-up. The belts are nice. If you wail on 'em while putting it on, you'll have to try again. Otherwise, nice smooth on/off action. And they lock up very well with a sudden brake action.dtrumbo wrote:Hey Ritter, how do those GoWesty belts work regarding "premature lock-up"? I bought aftermarket retractable belts but ending up replacing them with used Vanagon belts. The problem was they were uber-sensitive. Just putting the belt on was difficult because the retractor would lock if you pulled the belt out too fast (which wasn't very fast at all). I called Beams (the manufacturer) and they said they had to be that way for liability issues.
Do the GoWesty belts lock up too easily when you go to put them on? I'm VERY happy with the Vanagon belts. As far as their age, they're at least ten years newer than the ones they replaced so I figure I'm coming out ahead in that department.
Bus Depot H4s - On Sale!
- Ritter
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Sonoma County, CA
- Status: Offline
1978 Westfalia 2.0 FI
- tristessa
- Trusted Air-Cooled Maniac
- Location: Uwish Uknew, Oregon
- Status: Offline
While not quite a dark country road, there aren't any streetlights on my road .. little closer-in.hambone wrote: It's too bright in the city to really tell; I may have to take a screwdriver out on some dark country road.
Or you could just wait 'till yer camping.
Remember, only YOU can prevent narcissism!
- Westy78
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Stumptown OR
- Status: Offline
Bob are you trying to adjust them on the street? I think with the H4's you really want to be shining them on a wall from a specific distance so you can measure where they hit up from the ground. I went behind a strip mall at dusk one evening and used masking tape measured to the proper height on a brick wall to do mine. It's easy to have them adjusted too high and be blinding oncoming traffic. Try to put some weight in the drivers seat also to simulate the ride height when driving.
Chorizo, it's what's for breakfast.
- Bookwus
- IAC Addict!
- Location: City of Roses
- Status: Offline
Hiya Bob,
If you'll allow me a couple of observations................
The fluting on the lens of this set-up disperses the beam in a different pattern than the older lights you are used to. You will not see the conical beams of light as you would with a sealed beam headlight. Rather you will see a more scattered dispersal of light. Matter of fact, if you pull your bus up about 25 feet from a wall you'll see a broad band of light across that wall.
This light pattern is VERY similar to the light thrown by my 2003 Passat, also with halogens.
Less fortunately, when hitting the high beams the lights will swing to the left. But the actual results on the road with high beams up is pretty spectacular. Much more light thrown all over the road. And things at distance (say 100 meters) are clearly visible. Great for driving at night on a lonely and deserted road but you'll need to use care around oncoming traffic.
If you'll allow me a couple of observations................
The fluting on the lens of this set-up disperses the beam in a different pattern than the older lights you are used to. You will not see the conical beams of light as you would with a sealed beam headlight. Rather you will see a more scattered dispersal of light. Matter of fact, if you pull your bus up about 25 feet from a wall you'll see a broad band of light across that wall.
This light pattern is VERY similar to the light thrown by my 2003 Passat, also with halogens.
Less fortunately, when hitting the high beams the lights will swing to the left. But the actual results on the road with high beams up is pretty spectacular. Much more light thrown all over the road. And things at distance (say 100 meters) are clearly visible. Great for driving at night on a lonely and deserted road but you'll need to use care around oncoming traffic.
I have cancer.
It does not have me.
It does not have me.
- airkooledchris
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Eureka, California
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
chitwnvw wrote:
15% wider and 15% brighter. Sealed beam. Not illegal.
wider and brighter than what?
sounds like a marketing tactic.
why would anyone buy 'regular strength' when you can get 'maximum strength' ?
it's too hard to say if they make any difference. typically your taking out your old bulbs when you put those in, so they'll certainly seem brighter.
you'd probably have better luck cleaning up your ground connections and making sure you have plenty of voltage at the buckets.
that said ive converted all of my cars that run round 7 inch lights over the years to H4's and never had any problems. my beetle headlights are as bright as a new Porsche, but without that annoying blue tinge.
edited to add : Ive always purchased the kits on eBay, made by 'Autopal' - an Indian company.
they are very well built, nice heavy glass. never head one crack or break on me at all. they don't have those stupid cheapo patterns inside or 'daytime running lights' - just look like standard sealed beams and happen to have h4 bulbs.
they are about $42 shipped in the US on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0392679912
1979 California Transporter
- hambone
- Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
- Location: Portland, Ore.
- Status: Offline
10+ years with sealed beams, no problems. 2 months with fancy new H4s, a big rock chip has actually put a tiny hole in one of the lights. Can I seal this with 2 part epoxy over a lightly sanded hole? Or do I need a new one?
The glass is pretty thick, must have been quite a rock.
The glass is pretty thick, must have been quite a rock.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
- hambone
- Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
- Location: Portland, Ore.
- Status: Offline
Goop? Didn't know about that.
What? Spit it out boy.I can imagine an sort of issue other than aesthetics
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
- hambone
- Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
- Location: Portland, Ore.
- Status: Offline
AN too....
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
- hambone
- Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
- Location: Portland, Ore.
- Status: Offline
Too early for drinkin hairspray I think you may need an intervention.
Thanks I'll try to find the windshield repair stuff.
Thanks I'll try to find the windshield repair stuff.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
- airkooledchris
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Eureka, California
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
you can find cheaper ones if you hunt around, but the JEEP guys love these chrome ones:
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProd ... ortOrder=1
1979 California Transporter
- hambone
- Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
- Location: Portland, Ore.
- Status: Offline
I can't imagine those stopping interstate rock chips. Maybe? But all it takes is a little pebble.
I wonder how many ruined windshields etc. are from rocks kicked up by semis on freeways?
I wonder how many ruined windshields etc. are from rocks kicked up by semis on freeways?
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat