Weak Headlights - Contact Volvo

[jasonb]

ok once you get up off the floor after my next suggestion, perhaps somebody would like to try!!

How about removing the projector lens and mounting frame?
Just an idea!

[craigbarlow18]

Originally Posted by fenton_jd

The problem is this.
Our cars have Projector style headlamps which focus light to a specific point.

You have to look at is as this. Projector bulbs are like a stage spotlight, the light is focused to a single area. The majority of cars have Halogen reflectors. (this is like shining a torch into a big mirror for maximum light).

If you take your headlamp bulbs out of your S40/V50 and stick them into a Halogen Reflector style car, the light output will seem much greater. Volvo had made the mistake of using projectors with halogen bulbs (imho should be HID only) AND setting everybody's beam height far too low.

The only advantages to our current setup, is the clear cut off point. You can manually set them quite high without blinding people, because you can clearly see where they cut off. Not so easy on Halogen reflectors (light scatter etc).

I fully agree here, my lights on my 1998 v70 are .... well ..... poo, but its an old car and I will look at changing them to new style lights or at very least replace the glass, as for the lens style with halogens my vectra had these and scared me, I never actually felt safe with them and many a time would have to slow to 40-50 mph on unlit motorways and certainly couldnt see if anything was in the road.

[Volvo6]

I find the lights on dad's 1997 V70 OK, a bit weak maybe but then the light units probably need cleaning after all these years and I don't know what bulbs are in there. The problem with the lights on my V50 is that while they seem brighter than the V70's they just don't shine as far, they illuminate the area in front of the car very well but abruptly stop, leaving what's beyond in total darkness. The beam adjustment is at its maximum upward deflection, which still doesn't seem that high.

Interestingly I hadn't really thought about it before reading this thread, I'd just put the mains on as much as possible and thought that considering how good they were the lights in general weren't really a problem. Now that people mention it I realise the dipped beam really isn't that great!

My V50 is a 08 model so the pre facelift ones must be really bad!

[jasonb]

Are there any differences between pre and post face-lift?
Of course we should exclude Xenon's for now as that's another story.

Both use the same size projector lens with the cut-off lines.

One of the solutions would be to replace the lens with a better quality lens.
Quite straight forward to do!

Secondly, what is the condition of the reflective "chrome" surface!
Take a look at http://www.theretrofitsource.com for more information!

[Volvo6]

Are there any differences between pre and post face-lift?

Not in the light itself I think, the unit though is a different shape and is white all round the inside unlike the pre face lift which I believe was grey. There is a good comparison picture on the first page of the thread.

[faffi]

Originally Posted by Volvo6

The problem with the lights on my V50 is that while they seem brighter than the V70's they just don't shine as far, they illuminate the area in front of the car very well but abruptly stop, leaving what's beyond in total darkness.

I like lights with a clear cut-off. That doesn't mean the lights doesn't shine further in the case there are pedestrians etc., only that there is a clear line on the road where the light seems to end.

[jasonb]

More reading and my conclusion is poor quality glass lenses.
Take a look at your own lens and see how clear they are!

[Mwaite1985]

Couldn't agree with you any more. The lens is about an inch thick. You'd need a light house behind those lenses.

Matt

[clfchip]

Have to agree, my '56 S40 dipped beam is terrible, high beam is fantastic. It seems the dipped beam has too sharp a cut off, as Fenton jd said there is no light spill due to the design. I think with most other cars you get this unfocused light spill which at least gives you some vision ahead.

[civilservant]

Originally Posted by jasonb

I have a feeling that the dipped beams are just fine in most cases.

Incorrect - the lights on my 57 plate V50 are appalling - and verified by our local Volvo dealership who says there's nothing they can do as it's a design problem.