Mike Schriber
San Diego, CA
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Joined: 10/29/2004
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After driving my 2006 Damon Daybreak at night a few times I've rapidly come to the conclusion that they headlights stink. They're not very bright and the beam pattern leaves a lot to be desired.
I've gone ahead an measured the voltage at the sockets. The low beams get about 13.5v and the high beams 13.25v. This is obviously part of the problem and my first step will be to run heavier gauge wires from the battery to the lamp sockets switched via relays energized by the stock headlamp circuit. This (along with brighter bulbs) should help but I'm not expecting miracles.
Since I drive a lot at night I'm thinking about auxiliary lights. As a basis for discussion, here's a picture of my front end...
As you can see, there don't seem to be a lot of places for lights. One option would be to find some sort of decent bezel mounted lights and bore two holes through the fiberglass. Big lights could go in the white area above the headlamps or smaller lights could go to the inside of each headlamp. While this would work, I'm not all that thrilled about drilling big holes in the nose of my coach.
I happen to have two PIAA 90 Pro XT dual beam lights sitting around that I took off a previous vehicle. They look like this...
These are very good lights. They're street legal and have both high and low beams. The only problem is that there is only one place they can be mounted... below the entire nose on the lip that curves under. This would place the lights pretty low to the ground. While they're unlikely to get ripped off it's not a good place for throwing a beam down the road.
So, I'm looking for suggestions. I have to figure something out sooner rather than later.
Looking forward to your comments!
Mike
* This post was
edited 07/21/10 11:50pm by Mike Schriber *
2006 Damon Daybreak 3276 37' bunkhouse
2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited
SoCal Family Campers
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Jtroop1
Michigan
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Mine were aimed way too low. I adjusted them up quite a bit and it made a big difference.
2010 Fleetwood Encounter 32BH
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96Bounder30E
America is my home!
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Re-wire the headlights running them directly from the battery using a 30 amp relay for the controls/dash switch will really brighten them up a bunch.......
Eric
96 Bounder 30E-F53(460)
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Mike Schriber
San Diego, CA
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I already did a quick alignment on the road and will do a more detailed job once their re-wired. I know the heavier gauge wires will help but another .25v on the low beams and .5v on the high beams isn't going to produce a miracle. I think auxiliary lights are a must.
As a side note, anyone have any guesses as to who makes those headlight assemblies? They're likely from some sort of passenger vehicle but which?
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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Sylvania Silverstar Ultra are 25% brighter and 50 state legal.
Or ask folks with the same issues at the Damon RV owners group.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and consciencious stupidity."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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Go to E-Bay (or somewhere else) and buy an HID conversion kit. Be sure to get a bi-xenon kit so you get both hi and low beam (many kits are low beam only). We added a set to my wifes car and the difference is amazing. As the days get shorter and I'm doing more night driving I believe I'll be adding a set to my Fusion.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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blackf3504dr
Leesburg , FL. .Lake
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Mike Schriber wrote:
As a side note, anyone have any guesses as to who makes those headlight assemblies? They're likely from some sort of passenger vehicle but which?
They look like late model Ford, maybe Explorer ?
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fcooper
Richmond Hill, Georgia
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My experience with silverstar is they are brighter, but don't last very long. I've converted the motorhome with an HID conversion kit. Results are amazing. Based on the appearance/design of your motorhome, I'd try the hid conversion before drilling holes in the coach.
Many vendors selling hid conversion. I bought from www.ddmtuning.com based on a recommendation from another rv'r because they have a long warranty. Did incur a 3 week wait for shipping.
Good luck
Fred
Fred & Vicki
Richmond Hill, Ga
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sljkansas
Miami Co. Kansas
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Pull the light out and check the part numbers on the back. As stated above they my be Ford Explorer light. I have read a several post that from Class A owners have found the kights being off the self Ford products. Once you the make/model and year it makes finding a replacement easier.
I think the relay to battery along with a better ground will make a difference.
Steve & Linda
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kdk
usa
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Joined: 09/04/2008
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Mike; don't waste your time with trying to install the after market light assemblies as they will probably won't look very good on the front of MH, JMHO. I converted my head lights to HID with a conversion kit and the light output was just amazing. If your headlights have a replaceable halogen bulb then it can easily be converted. The DDM web site previously mentioned has a good price and I would recommend the 55w version and they have a replacement for almost any halogen bulb. You use your OEM light assembly. Also recommend the wiring harness as well. I couldn't see 50 feet in front of me at night with the original Hella projection light assemblies, but with the conversion HID's the road is light up at least 250 to 300 feet in front of me and I never have had anyone flash their lights indicating that I was blinding them. Also the 6000 kelvin bulbs have a slight bluish tint while the 5000 kelvin are whiter and slightly brighter. Give them a try' you won't be disappointed. KDK
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