Brighter Lights - eventually!

When the nearside dipped headlight blew on Friday I decided to replace both with the 55w but "30%" brighter versions from Halfords - (458's).

I had found that using per-fluxed electrical solder a bit tricky and so I dug out some plumbers (lead free) solder and a tin of flux.

I roughed up the rear of the metal fitting with a file, put some of the flux on, (it looks like grease), and tinned the fitting. I then tinned the end of the new connection, added a little more flux and fitted the two parts together, I applied the iron and a nice connection was made.

I fitted my new bright lights and tested them for 5 seconds, all OK - I could not be bothered to start the engine just for a quick light test, (fatal floor).

That afternoon/evening the wife and I went round my best friends, great! it was my wife's turn to drive back so naturally I had a few beers. Well as we got in the zed to leave and my wife turns on the lights and notices the difference, much brighter - great. I get in and notice that they are fading fast, I jump out to look, and the whole headlight is full of smoke - I scream to kill the lights and generally run around like a headless chicken expecting the zed to burst into flames. It dosn't and me mate takes us home once I have calmed down.

The next morning, whilst I am in the shower I realise what has happened, - flux must have dripped down into the gap between the glass and the metal fitting. So I rush over to me mates after lunch, (just to make sure I am safe to drive) and whip out the lights - I am right. So I clean then up and then re-fit them but leave them out of the headlight. I turn them on and within 20 seconds they begin to smoke again - this continues for another 10 minutes.

Later that evening I return home, its my turn to drive so no beer at all. Yes they are a lot brighter and I get to use my new sat nav system as well.

So learn from my mistakes - always do a proper test before you rely on a component.

But also rejoyce in the success "30%" brighter lights work!