My apologies for starting yet another thread on the subject of replacing H4 candles on a T6 with something fit for purpose.
I have read the other long threads, which have been 'illuminating', but as a non-tekkie, I find the detail very confusing, and I would like to try to distill the wisdom and experience they contain into something short and sweet that I can understand fully.
My 2016 204PS van is capable of high speed in daylight, but is limited to 40mph at night by the feeble lighting. This is dangerous and completely unacceptable.
In previous years, as it is converted into a campervan, I effectively stopped using the vehicle in the dark winter months if there was any risk of being be-nighted, and used my ancient Fiat Doblo, whose lights are twice as good. But that's pathetic.
Before this winter, I really must get some replacement lights organised. But which ones? I can't afford to pay VW (and wouldn't, on principle!), an extortionate amount for their LED headlight conversion, so have to look at H7 replacements.
As I understand the position, the starting point is to look for second-hand OEM H7 lights from a Caravelle or similar - presumably on E-Bay. However, a search shows page after bewildering page of headlight bulbs/conversion kits of all types.
What, exactly, should I be looking for, and what sort of price should I expect to pay for them?
If buying second-hand doesn't appeal, or there is nothing suitable on E-Bay, then one is looking at aftermarket kits. My reading of the threads seems to show that the Van-Tech lights have some drawbacks commensurate with their lower price. But even they aren't cheap, so are presumably best avoided? Is that fair, or have they improved recently?
Then one has the Transporter HQ headlight kits, now on V3. These seem to be well-recommended, but are expensive (£475 with the standard H7 lightbulbs). What I find difficult to get my head round, is whether, having bought them, and had them fitted (because I won't be doing the job myself, however easy it may look on their video), I will have problems with warning lights on the dashboard, flickering main beams - or a large black patch on the road ahead of me, because the dipped beams don't work in concert with the mains?
Then there is the question of all the extra power going through the cables.
Am I right in thinking I will have to find someone locally with a VCDS who knows how to use it, and get them to re-calibrate the lights to avoid all these problems?
Is there anyone in the Lancaster area with such a device, who would be prepared to assist?
Or are the Transporter HQ lights really as simple as they are shown to be on the video, and it is all plug and play, with no remaining issues?
On the question of the bulbs, it seems that, if I want to stay legal, I must use the original H7s, or buy some replacement high-performance bulbs. If the latter, which ones are reckoned to give best results and best value for money?
Alternatively, I could buy the LED bulbs which Transporter HQ offer for £65, on the basis that they aren't obviously LED once fitted, and should therefore be missed by the MOT testers. They would do the job best, and THQ say they don't blind oncoming motorists - but they would say that, wouldn't they? What do those who have them think of them in practice?
The problem I see is that, as they are illegal, this means you are uninsured in the event of a crash, as once your insurer finds out they are fitted, it's an ideal opprtunity to evade covering you.
This whole field seems to be covered with mines!
Advice would be very much appreciated.
I have read the other long threads, which have been 'illuminating', but as a non-tekkie, I find the detail very confusing, and I would like to try to distill the wisdom and experience they contain into something short and sweet that I can understand fully.
My 2016 204PS van is capable of high speed in daylight, but is limited to 40mph at night by the feeble lighting. This is dangerous and completely unacceptable.
In previous years, as it is converted into a campervan, I effectively stopped using the vehicle in the dark winter months if there was any risk of being be-nighted, and used my ancient Fiat Doblo, whose lights are twice as good. But that's pathetic.
Before this winter, I really must get some replacement lights organised. But which ones? I can't afford to pay VW (and wouldn't, on principle!), an extortionate amount for their LED headlight conversion, so have to look at H7 replacements.
As I understand the position, the starting point is to look for second-hand OEM H7 lights from a Caravelle or similar - presumably on E-Bay. However, a search shows page after bewildering page of headlight bulbs/conversion kits of all types.
What, exactly, should I be looking for, and what sort of price should I expect to pay for them?
If buying second-hand doesn't appeal, or there is nothing suitable on E-Bay, then one is looking at aftermarket kits. My reading of the threads seems to show that the Van-Tech lights have some drawbacks commensurate with their lower price. But even they aren't cheap, so are presumably best avoided? Is that fair, or have they improved recently?
Then one has the Transporter HQ headlight kits, now on V3. These seem to be well-recommended, but are expensive (£475 with the standard H7 lightbulbs). What I find difficult to get my head round, is whether, having bought them, and had them fitted (because I won't be doing the job myself, however easy it may look on their video), I will have problems with warning lights on the dashboard, flickering main beams - or a large black patch on the road ahead of me, because the dipped beams don't work in concert with the mains?
Then there is the question of all the extra power going through the cables.
Am I right in thinking I will have to find someone locally with a VCDS who knows how to use it, and get them to re-calibrate the lights to avoid all these problems?
Is there anyone in the Lancaster area with such a device, who would be prepared to assist?
Or are the Transporter HQ lights really as simple as they are shown to be on the video, and it is all plug and play, with no remaining issues?
On the question of the bulbs, it seems that, if I want to stay legal, I must use the original H7s, or buy some replacement high-performance bulbs. If the latter, which ones are reckoned to give best results and best value for money?
Alternatively, I could buy the LED bulbs which Transporter HQ offer for £65, on the basis that they aren't obviously LED once fitted, and should therefore be missed by the MOT testers. They would do the job best, and THQ say they don't blind oncoming motorists - but they would say that, wouldn't they? What do those who have them think of them in practice?
The problem I see is that, as they are illegal, this means you are uninsured in the event of a crash, as once your insurer finds out they are fitted, it's an ideal opprtunity to evade covering you.
This whole field seems to be covered with mines!
Advice would be very much appreciated.
. I then used Carista BETA to keep dip on with main beam .
