Headlamps

2017-01-07T19:49:47Z

Donsladek: /* Replacement retaining rings */

__TOC__

== Rusty rings ==

If your headlamps look like these, then you need new rings, and probably new headlamps too.
However, the rings are no longer available from Lotus, and the headlamps, if you can get them, are currently about £85 each.

<center>[[Image:Post-2-1258802951.jpg]]</center>

== Replacement headlamps ==

Can be sourced from Lotus, but expensive, if still available.
An aftermarket type made by Durite seem to work fine, and are much cheaper.

Durite Dipped Beam 042275 £9.30 + vat approx

Durite Main Beam 042276 £9.30 + vat approx

<center>[[Image:Durite.jpg]]</center>

Part numbers quoted for dipped units are suitable for right hand drive cars only, left hand drive suitable units are available I believe, but I don't have part numbers.

I managed to source mine from my local motor factors, they had to order them, but availablity wasn't a problem, however, may not be the case in other areas. The company below have been known to mail order supply these lamps, so worth giving them a try:

DB Auto Electrical Supplies
3 West Bawtry Road
Rotherham
S60 2XG
01709 377418

If you change the light units to the Durite items then you'll also need to change the outer dipped headlamp bulb plug on the headlamp wires as they take a differnt bulb (H4 rather than H1, same as the high beam), easy to get and do, just ensure you wire to the correct bulb terminal, i.e. the other one from the high beam as connected to the standard high beam plug on the inner headlamp units.

The lamps themselves will also not quite fit into the plastic retainer ring, one of the location lugs is not quite in the right place. There's two options; either cut off the lug, or cut the plastic retaining ring to suit. A Dremel or similar is useful here.

== Replacement retaining rings ==

Replacement headlamp retaining rings are no longer available from Lotus.
However, a very good similar type is available as used on the Triumph Dolomite Sprint, and are currently available from Rimmer Brothers:

Single item £12.48 inc VAT http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-511598A

Set of 4 £40.25 inc VAT http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-511598AK

<center>[[Image:511598A.jpg]]</center>

They're not perfect, but at least they're the right diameter, 2 of the 3 lugs will line up, the third is not used and needs to be cut off, also a small amount of trimming is required, so I attacked them with a Dremel. Where the third lug is removed an alternative mounting needs to be made, I drilled through the side and screwed into the plastic ring. A bit of ingenuity is required!

While replacing the headlamps or rings, you'll also find the small screws that retain the entire assembly to the headlamp pods have probably rusted, if these snap off while removing them or require drilling out, they are M4 thread, and replacements should be 20mm non-countersunk screws, I used stainless socket heads. Fairly easy job to drill the remains out from the locating plates and retap. The adjusting screws going through the springs seem to survive and don't require replacing.

Added 1/7/2017 by donsladek - Plastic replacements are now available courtesy of 1kenobitoby on LEC through Shapeways:

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/1kenobitoby

== Headlamp fitting picture guide ==

LEC member MattDon has compiled a simple pictorial guide showing how the new lamp units fit to the old plastic retainer rings.

[http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v208/matt_d_78/?action=view&current=22e49083.pbw Pictorial guide]

{{note|text=Photos supplied by Don.Hasi and RayD}}

[[User:Cutlea01|Cutlea01]] 18:29, 22 November 2009 (UTC)

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2011-09-07T02:01:09Z

Donsladek:

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Headlamps

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