Diesel RVs: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re: Driving Lights on a W126

I have higher than rated bulbs in both my headlight and driving light buckets. I always worry a little that I am running two hot and might start to melt the plastic or some wiring. But nothing so far. I am sure that I get better down-the-road light than most cars.

You can get such higher wattage bulbs at lots of auto parts places. When I was back in college, I got a VW Rabbit diesel. Immediately dropped out the stock headlight buckets and put in a pair of Cibie aircraft landing light buckets, stuffed with ultra high wattage bulbs. From Boston, I could light up the ski slopes in Vermont!

I'll bet that similar Cibie buckets are available for Benz round headlights.

I saw some test results, including test photos, that indicated that the U.S. spec 123 or 126 headlights have significantly better (longer) throw than the European ones. No surprise, really given our different road situations. The Euro style came on my car, and look better than the U.S. version, so I keep them (but with the bigger bulbs). For anyone with a 123, the U.S. style is safer and better illumination.

Yes, I think that the driving lights do bias toward the right shoulder, greatly benefiting oncoming drivers.

Tom

In a message dated 6/28/2012 11:15:53 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, mahatmakanejeeves@yahoo.com writes:

Yes I agree, I put a set of the euros on my car and they were a huge improvement over the old DOT lights. The euros, however, have a definite bias rightward towards the shoulder, but the fogs illuminate sideways to cover both shoulders well. But the combo didn't work for a doe standing in the left lane on a dark night.

What I'm looking for is more "throw weight" down the road. Doing 60 when I hit the deer, I think I was exceeding in terms of reaction time the distance of the projected light of the headlights. I'm basing that on how I barely had time to hit the brakes -- and I've got good reflexes IMHO. Of course, one solution (I wish I'd undertaken in retrospect) is slow down when I see a deer X sign.

G

--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, audiolaw@... wrote:
>
> Greg,
>
> The European headlights for the 126 include a single Hi-Lo bucket and
> a driving light bucket. The driving light buckets, which are turned on by
> the "pull" function of the light switch, spread a WIDE beam that reaches
> both sides of the road. This is in addition to the headlights.
>
> I use the driving lights both on mountain roads, where they provide a
> wonderful illumination to the roadsides, and in the city, particularly on
> narrow residential streets, where they provide a good illumination of people
> standing between parked cars, so you can avoid them when they stagger into
> the street.
>
> You can get the Euro headlights on Ebay and if you're lucky at a local
> p-a-p yard.
>
> Tom
>
>
> In a message dated 6/26/2012 8:32:46 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
> mahatmakanejeeves@... writes:
>
>
>
>
> I hit a deer one night as she strolled from the no. 1 lane to the no. 2 on
> a four lane highway. I was doing 60 and had just enough time to take my
> foot off the gas (diesel?) when we collided. I'm thinking of adding driving
> lights to my W126 diesel. Has anyone mounted aftermarket lights? If so,
> what's the optimal location and are you satisfied with the results?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Greg
>