[Vwdiesel] SilverStar headlights-more-long

[Chuck Carnohan]

Roger Brown sells a nice kit to upgrade your headlights, add a relay to
bypass the switch as described by Doyt. I think he gets $40 for the loom
including instructions and relay. Not a bad deal! It is what I want for
Christmas!!  Go Roger!


Chuck Carnohan

-----Original Message-----
From: vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com [mailto:vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com]
On Behalf Of Doyt W. Echelberger
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 5:07 PM
To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] SilverStar headlights-more-long

My suggestion for the 1991 Jetta is that you consider regressing your
headlight system a few years, back to the rectangular quad-light system
that ended with the 1984 Jetta....and then fit the quad rectangles with
euro bulbs.  I had rectangular quads on my 82 diesel Jetta (and I THINK
VW used quads in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984.)  I did a regression on a
1987 Audi, from the aerostyle single module back to the quads that were
used on the 1985 Audi 5000, and then I swapped in Euro Lights and use
Euro bulbs instead of the DOT quad rectangular lenses and bulbs.

This is a web site that will help you do that, with background and
parts:
<http://www.danielsternlighting.com>

I also rewired and relayed the system, using #12 stranded wire and
connectors and branch blocks from an auto audio store.  My headlight
switch on the dash no longer carries the full current of the headlights.
It never gets hot, and will outlast the car.

In the year following the rewiring, I discovered that the connectors
needed to be marine grade, because the ones I used allowed salt spray
from winter roads to get into the wiring, and it caused failures.  So, I
suggest starting the whole rewiring process using marine-grade
connectors.

The quad euro lights gave me a vast range of wattages to pick from, and
I tried various combinations, up to about 100 watts for the highs, and
discovered that the very high wattage bulbs didn't last very
long...maybe 8 months....whereas  The lower wattages (about 55 watts)
lasted for years.

And using the retrogressed quads (on the Audi) cut my total cost in
half, compared to any other option. The result was an AMAZINGLY bright
illumination of the road that lit things up half a mile ahead when I
used the short-life 100 watt lamps. I really didn't need all that light,
but it was very rewarding to be able to have it as an option, in case I
wanted to enter night rallies :~)

Personally, If I wanted to save money, I'd just rewired and relayed the
stock 1985 Jetta aerostyle system, for a very significant increase in
ability to put light on the road.....but I'd use much heavier wires,
marine-grade connectors, and not ignore the size of the wires on the
ground side.....I'd make them equal what I did to the positive side.
And if that didn't light up my night, I'd go to a quad system and run it
off the new wires and relays.

Doyt Echelberger
1985 Jetta TD

PS: Here is something from my file, written in 1999 by Mark Pollen, on
weatherproof relays:

"Not too long ago I ordered and received from Hella (free of charge)
their relay catalog (among others).  In the relay catalog they have
weatherproof relays/connectors for the standard pin configuration.

The 20/40 amp *weatherproof* relay *with bracket* is part number 66211
The *weatherproof* connector is 87173

Hope that helps somebody building their own harness, etc.

Regards,

Mark Pollan, '86 5KCSTQ 274K Miles

P.S.  Hella's phone number is 800-247-5924"

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At 08:22 AM 12/16/2006, Nick wrote:>

 > Has anyone upgraded their headlights to the SilverStar's?  I have
read good  > and bad online about them. ....snip...... :-( I was
considering  > HID's but they are a little out of my price range right
now. I found the  > conversion kit for around $250.
 >
 > Nick


_______________________________________________
Vwdiesel mailing list
Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel