A Free Lunch? - Cheap New 24 volt H4 headlight Kit
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2018 5:18 pm
Well, both headlights were out on my new-to-me M43. I thought it might be wiring, but everything checked out. The old sealed beams were just completely burned out.
So, I looked into a number of different solutions, the first being my preference which was to stick with the conventional military style sealed beams which were going to be around $92 with postage for a pair. That seemed like a lot and with the days getting shorter, I knew I would be driving in the dark more often so I investigated whether a brighter cheaper solution could be found.
In my research I read a very helpful 2004 internet post by Garbee who gave some Hella part numbers to convert to H4 bulbs. That sounded pretty good, but was going to be over $100 including shipping.
My neighbor suggested I drill out the back out of the sealed beam and epoxy an H4 headlight mount to the back side. That actually seemed like a good and really inexpensive idea, but I never drilled into glass before, so I am leaving that idea on the shelf for now.
I also thought about using Mercedes Benz Unimog 404 S headlamps which are essentially the same design as the Hella model with H4 bulbs. Going the Unimog route, new headlight glass and H4 bulbs were going to be around $90 with postage. And, despite being a NATO used German made military vehicle, they actually plug into the Douglas connectors without any modification.
But then, I came across an outfit on the internet called Octane Lighting. They sell a kit that includes two 24 volt H4 bulbs with two 7" glass enclosures for $44.95 plus $17 postage - about $62.00 for a pair. A number of different wattages could be selected. I chose 90/100 watt low/high beams.
I have not read anything about the origin or quality of these lights, or Octane Lighting for that matter. Regardless, the price was right so I decided to try them out. The part number I ordered was #15903. The same kit is on eBay and Amazon for varying prices. I also ordered, a couple ceramic plugs to crimp onto the pig tails cut from the old headlight lights. I'm leaving the M43's original Douglas connectors in place so I can go back to original headlights if this gamble doesn't work.
I'll post up the results when they arrive which is expected around November 5. Hope they are not sub-standard Far East made copies of Hella products that melt and turn yellow after the first long drive.
Cheers, Jerry
So, I looked into a number of different solutions, the first being my preference which was to stick with the conventional military style sealed beams which were going to be around $92 with postage for a pair. That seemed like a lot and with the days getting shorter, I knew I would be driving in the dark more often so I investigated whether a brighter cheaper solution could be found.
In my research I read a very helpful 2004 internet post by Garbee who gave some Hella part numbers to convert to H4 bulbs. That sounded pretty good, but was going to be over $100 including shipping.
My neighbor suggested I drill out the back out of the sealed beam and epoxy an H4 headlight mount to the back side. That actually seemed like a good and really inexpensive idea, but I never drilled into glass before, so I am leaving that idea on the shelf for now.
I also thought about using Mercedes Benz Unimog 404 S headlamps which are essentially the same design as the Hella model with H4 bulbs. Going the Unimog route, new headlight glass and H4 bulbs were going to be around $90 with postage. And, despite being a NATO used German made military vehicle, they actually plug into the Douglas connectors without any modification.
But then, I came across an outfit on the internet called Octane Lighting. They sell a kit that includes two 24 volt H4 bulbs with two 7" glass enclosures for $44.95 plus $17 postage - about $62.00 for a pair. A number of different wattages could be selected. I chose 90/100 watt low/high beams.
I have not read anything about the origin or quality of these lights, or Octane Lighting for that matter. Regardless, the price was right so I decided to try them out. The part number I ordered was #15903. The same kit is on eBay and Amazon for varying prices. I also ordered, a couple ceramic plugs to crimp onto the pig tails cut from the old headlight lights. I'm leaving the M43's original Douglas connectors in place so I can go back to original headlights if this gamble doesn't work.
I'll post up the results when they arrive which is expected around November 5. Hope they are not sub-standard Far East made copies of Hella products that melt and turn yellow after the first long drive.
Cheers, Jerry
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