Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Lightning

Hi all
A little help needed please. I’m looking to upgrade the lighting on my S2 Roadster and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Hella Comet 500 or FF500 spot lamps/lights. Also Wipac Crystal head lamps. I am looking for Cibie replacements but if that goes south I would like another option. Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks in advance Brian.

Sorry should read lighting.
Brian

Brian if you go back into full edit you can amend it as I have.

I know nothing of spotlights but many on here do have them and will be along soon.

I have Wipac Crystals - I used them previously on my Land Rovers. I really like the look, and am happy with the light output - however in all cases I upgraded from sealed beams, so the bar was low!

Full LED headlamp replacements maybe? Wolf offer these.

I think it depends on what you are after. If it is looks, I would go for the classic appearance of the Lucas 576. If general improved performance is your main concern, I would upgrade the existing headlamps. You could do the following:
1. Fit LED bulbs instead of halogen. Easy, but not cheap and not MOT approved. I would not recommend it for that reason.
2. Change the existing headlamp units (most probably Wipac) to Cibie 180. You will not get better light, but the light you have will be projected better.
3. Fit complete LED headlight units, as RichardV6 suggests. Easy, but expensive.
4. Fit relays to the existing system, so the bulb filaments actually recieve 12-13 volts, as opposed to the voltage loss in the existing flimsy cable system. I just did, with a coneiderably better light output. Quite some work, but cheap and well worth it.
5 Combine 2 and 4, which will be my next step.
I know I am deviating from TS' question, but my view is that if one wants better light performance over all, it is better to improve the existing basic system than fit add-ons. When it boils down to cosmetict, it is another matter.

I went for the expensive, but very effective LED solution used my Morgan on the CX cars.





The horizontal bar is the "side light", on the CX cars it is the DLR.
The light output is as good as any modern car and they draw less than 10w.

I did 2 and 4 plus added Cibie spots that work on full beam - have used this set up for years.

Thanks for the replies, plenty to think about. Unfortunately the Cibie H180 looks like it has been discontinued. The other choice being the Wipac Crystal. Still not sure about LED conversion unless there are some with a classic look.

Hello Brian,

Reference LED and classic look, I went for these from bettercarlighting.co.uk (no connection, happy customer).

These have a small pilot light (tiny LED) and LED main bulb which is not really visible when looking at the lamp. There is no modern 'array' or large lens.

The are supposed to have a more retro colour tone too, not the blue white of modern LEDs, I've not tried them properly in the dark but it is a cleaner, whiter light.

The glass lens are definitely better quality, and I like the tribar look.