City Lights and aiming

["Janet Scruggs" <scruggs@mbay.net>]

City Lights on the Euro conversion:  They are small bulbs that insert next
to the H4s and are about 4 watts.  Get them at any car parts store.  They
aren't intended to cast light, just provide a glow.  I don't know if it is
still the case but in many European cities, Paris being my only experience,
traditional low-beams are not used... just the modest 'city lights.'  The
effect is that of a more 'mellow' nighttime city-scape.  They come on as
your switch is in the first notch up from 'off', at least on my '87 5kCSq.
It has been suggested that one could use them as DRLs, should one be so
inclined... I'm not.

Speaking of aiming all of this newfound wattage, I've followed the list
recommendations... level ground, pull to wall, mark horiz position, back up
ten meters, adjust horiz line one inch down from mark... and am unsatisfied
with the pattern on High beam.  Low beam has a really nice pattern, lots of
clean dispersion, no one flashing me that I'm 'too bright.'  However on
High, in addition to lighting up the world, there is a rather distracting
bright spot about 10m in front of the car.  Not a 'spot' precisely, but a
large oval that could easily be called the 'ant roasting zone.'  Is this
characteristic of everyone's experience?  Seems as if this hot spot would be
better used were it aimed much further down the road, but to do so would
then have the Low beams raised into the faces of my fellow travelers.  Have
I misunderstood the list wisdom regarding aiming?  Is there a remedy?  My
H3s are a mere 55W and would like to resolve the aiming issue prior to
upgrading.  Ideas?


Regards, Gross Scruggs
'87 5kCSq, Euros with 'hand crafted' harness, one year ago this week... and
no fires yet!