Styling Improving headlight power

[Diwiak]

Hi

driving in dark often, any chance to improve headlight power?? Was thinking of "xenon" bulbs, as well with aditional spotlights mounted to front bumper, any ideas??

Was checking this shop, got cheap stuff, any experience??
bulbs

spotlights

Which spotlights will look better square or round??

Thanks

 

[gp3000000]

The only headlight bulbs in that list that would be legal are the bottom ones, the 'rally' bulbs as they are the correct colour for headlamp bulbs (white or yellow) and are the correct wattage, 60/55w.

The blue tint ones are not road legal.

The other link links the to same page as the first.

Also remember that the bulbs must be 'E' marked, many cheap bulbs (and blue tint bulbs) are unlikely to be.

These are very dear but appear to be the brightest legal bulbs:

Osram

Philips

 

[rallycinq]

If you are going to upgrade the wattage, or add spot lamps, remember to factor in the appropriate relays.

Cheers

SPD

 

[Diwiak]

link repaired

dont want to change wattage of bulbs because had very bad(melting) memories of that

want to connect "angel eyes" (is this legal in blue???? seeing it daily on trucks and 4x4) to dimmed/parking lights and spotlights will be connected through relay of course to beam and with extra switch on dashboard to turn it all off

 

[rallycinq]

If you are going to mount 6 inch lights above the bumper you will have to give thought to where you are going to mount the back stays.

With smaller lights you might get away without a backstay, providing the mountings you use are firm enough.

I had six inch lamps on my Cinq, when I was allowed only two, and these were mounted upside down from the bumper mounts and then had double back stays on to strengthening plates behind the bumper.

Don't go for spot lamps, driving lamps will give a better spread of light at cento speeds.

Cheers

SPD

 

[SeiSporting]

I have Osram Nightbreakers in and they light up road sufficiently. Cheap too on Ebay.

 

[allanhelen]

I am presuming you have already gone around and cleaned and greased all the earth points and cleaned up the various contacts? it is amazing how much brighter lights can get when the correct current is flowing through them

 

[David C]

As well as the above, use quality bulbs.

Forget anything with a blue tint. It just reduces light output.

Philips Vision Plus or Osram Silverstar always work well.
As well as a quality bulb, you also need them aligned properly on an MOT beam-setter.
Don't just guess with it pointed at a wall.

I've always found my Cinquecento headlights to be very good, even on fast unlit roads.

 

[maddogmorg]

if you're going down the spotlight/driving light route make sure you mount them securely, if they start illuminating the tops of trees when you accelerate it's not right

 

[Diwiak]

 

[gp3000000]

want to connect "angel eyes" (is this legal in blue???? seeing it daily on trucks and 4x4) to dimmed/parking lights and spotlights will be connected through relay of course to beam and with extra switch on dashboard to turn it all off

No blue is legal, white to front, red to rear. I see those lorries too, most of them are foreign and have no regard for the law

This is a good read as to why blue is not a good idea.

There is also the possibility of dazzling other drivers if the spotlights have no dip pattern (I say IF as I have no knowledge if they do or not), Lights with no dip pattern can only be used in fog as they will act like a torch beam, light in all directions.

I would try the brighter headlight bulbs first, no need to worry about mouting spotlights, legalities, extra wiring etc. etc.

Regarding the angel eyes/spotlights, There is also something in the lighting & MOT regulations about all lights having to be operated by the one switch, will possibly post back with it (if I find it)

 

[cwc2128]

Strange it was only a few weeks back me and the wife said how impressive the standard healights on the cinq were compared to other cars i have owned, but they were set slightly above limit thus longer beam and kept getting flashed but i have no probs on unlit roads.

 

[gp3000000]

Funny, my 1997 cinquecento had the worst headlights I've ever seen. The Seicento I own now is a significant improvement, however most cars can still outshine me in my experience. However, if you point your headlights upwards you're going to get other drivers flashing you, usually me

I occasionally get people flashing me, and I know my headlights are aiming correctly. I am aware that the Seicento is a feat to contend with when you meet one oncoming - the headlights glare a lot, especially with one behind you in the rear view mirror. But my headlights do light up motorway signs (high up) when other cars could only dream of doing so.

 

[ycming]

tbh, am pretty impressed with the cinq headlights

go for some hid ?

Ming

 

[rallycinq]

Back to basics, are the reflectors OK, as in not dull and corroded.

Cheers

SPD

 

[David C]

Lights with no dip pattern can only be used in fog as they will act like a torch beam, light in all directions.

No.
Spot lights should only work with Main Beam and should turn off when you select Dip Beam again.
Fog Lights only in Fog or heavy show.

 

[levemircento]

I've always found my Cinquecento headlights to be very good, even on fast unlit roads.

same here, I think if the aim is set right, they should be fine. I have had other people in the car at night down country lanes and even they thought the lights were good for a small car.

 

[arc]

i think my lights are crap when compared to other cars (apart from maybe my mates rover tomcat of the same age). i went to the effort of upgrading all the wiring, ran direct high gauge wire from the battery, via a relay, to the headlights and then back to earth.

https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecento-seicento/47300-headlight-wiring-upgrade-overkill.html

it wasn't worth the effort

 

[Diwiak]

everything with lights is ok - not coroded, connections fine, cleaned and resprayed, for begining I buy +50% osram silvers-now its REAL difference.

but lifetime its half from normal bulbs (saler said its normal, every percent of higher luminance means lower lifetime, its also written on package), price is twice, and now allday dipped beam lighting is compulsory here so its not a good idea to burn expensive bulbs on sunny days (OMFG what a stupid law-ill never understand this)-probably will use normal cheap bulbs for allday use and for night dirves will mount some spotlights to use with main beam-effect will be much better on empty roads and still with cheap bulbs