Hella Ecode headlight beam pattern pics on my daughters 240D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dmorrison · #1 12-26-2006, 08:18 PM

Just installed the new Hella Ecode lights on my daughters 83 240D. A hugh difference in the low beam driving pattern. The high beam pattern is also much better. She had Wagner Halogen H6024 sealed beams before. The pictures below are

1- Wagner low beams.
2- Wagner high beams
3- Hella Ecode low beams
4- Hella Ecode high beams
5- A side by side comparison of the difference

Here is where I got the Hella lights.

http://www.rallylights.com/hella/7in.asp

Her lamp kit is H6024m the "Two Lamps with 60/55w Hella Premium Xenon +100% H4 Bulbs"

My sons car will get the 100/80 watt kit.

Our wagon will get the same as my daughters.

Dave

I edited the post to add picture number 5, a side by side comparison.
This may help convince the "significant other" why you need to spend another $100 on that "old car"

dmorrison · #2 12-26-2006, 08:19 PM

The pictures below show the new Ecode lights on the road

1- Ecode low beam, roadway.
2- Ecode high beam, roadway.
3- Ecode low beam driveway.
4- Ecode high beam driveway.

Dave

pastmaster · #3 12-26-2006, 08:51 PM

Really makes a differance!
I have a 4 headlamp system and aircraft landing lights, pencil beam, for the highbeams. The opposite happened of what I thought would happen. It slowed me down on high speed night driving, because of what I could see! All the deer and other small animals along the roadway, that I didn't see before!

You did one of the best things you could have done for your families safety by improving the headlamps. You even have them properly aimed! Aiming correctly will save your life!!!

This is the real bling bling....

OMEGAMAN · #4 12-26-2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pastmaster

Really makes a differance!
I have a 4 headlamp system and aircraft landing lights, pencil beam, for the highbeams. The opposite happened of what I thought would happen. It slowed me down on high speed night driving, because of what I could see! All the deer and other small animals along the roadway, that I didn't see before!

You did one of the best things you could have done for your families safety by improving the headlamps. You even have them properly aimed! Aiming correctly will save your life!!!

This is the real bling bling....

my friend had aircraft headlights in a Galaxy they would light the road in daytime. Are they 12 volt? Where do you get them?

JWJ · #5 12-26-2006, 09:30 PM

dmorrison,

How easy was the install? Did you need to upgrade the wiring?

dmorrison · #6 12-26-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWJ

dmorrison,

How easy was the install? Did you need to upgrade the wiring?

My daughters and the 300TD are standard 60/55 watt bulbs. So no wire harness change. My son's lamps will be 100/80 watt. So a larger alternator, wires and relays will be required.

Installation takes 5 minutes. Install the bulbs into the lamps. Install the rubber backing boot over the lamp/bulb opening. Remove the headlight surround by removing the 3 large plastic nuts and pulling off the surround. Loosen the 3 bolts ( Phillips screwdriver) holding the headlight retaining ring. Swap out the lamps. Plug the existing harness into the new bulbs. Reinstall the lamps and surrounds and you done. Our headlights did not require any adjustment.

One minor little item I forgot about. To use Ecode lights you have to cut out the back of the inner headlight assembly. I had already done this on my daughters and sons car but not the 300TD. A jig saw and a file will do the job fine. Your cutting off just the rear flat section of the alluminum. I had done this for other lights that were cheap and I thought had a terrible light pattern. Doing the 300TD I may just use a hole saw that is large enough for the connector to fit through. 1 1/2 inches may do the trick. See the attached pictures the left one is the 300TD. The right one the 240D. A little out of focus.

Dave

JimmyL · #7 12-26-2006, 10:42 PM

I enjoy the documented projects that you do from time to time. Very nice pictorial difference in the two lighting choices. Seems kind of dumb for the rest of us to not do it. Cost isn't prohibitive either......
Thanks!

TheDon · #8 12-26-2006, 11:19 PM

wow.. what an improvement.. i am investing in these soon as i can

MBeige · #9 12-27-2006, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

One minor little item I forgot about. To use Ecode lights you have to cut out the back of the inner headlight assembly. I had already done this on my daughters and sons car but not the 300TD. A jig saw and a file will do the job fine. Your cutting off just the rear flat section of the alluminum. I had done this for other lights that were cheap and I thought had a terrible light pattern. Doing the 300TD I may just use a hole saw that is large enough for the connector to fit through. 1 1/2 inches may do the trick. See the attached pictures the left one is the 300TD. The right one the 240D. A little out of focus.

Dave

I never had to cut the back part of the headlights when I switched to E-code lights. Won't doing this allow water to get in the engine compartment through that hole?

While we're on the topic of E-codes, does anybody have a good suggestion for headlight lens protectors? I lost my right headlight because of road debris, knocked a good pin-sized hole through the glass. A new set of Hellas from the same site Dave got his are on its way.

dmorrison · #10 12-27-2006, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

I never had to cut the back part of the headlights when I switched to E-code lights. Won't doing this allow water to get in the engine compartment through that hole?

While we're on the topic of E-codes, does anybody have a good suggestion for headlight lens protectors? I lost my right headlight because of road debris, knocked a good pin-sized hole through the glass. A new set of Hellas from the same site Dave got his are on its way.

Reviewing the photos, I would agree. Cutting the inner headlight assembly is not necessary for the Hella Ecodes. It was necessary for the other lights we had. Thanks for pointing that out. I would not worry about water getting in the engine compartment. Plenty already does from below and through the radiator area.

I know you can get a plastic film that helps protect the glass lens. I need to find a source.

Dave

Shorebilly · #11 12-27-2006, 06:57 AM

Just wanted to say Thanx........I have been considering switching to E-Codes......living out here in the boonies keeps you interested in the furry critters who lurk out there in the night.....as well as the occasional boulder or tree......

......but being a tad frugal, I am waiting for one of my headlights to quit first.....

SB

Ara T. · #12 12-27-2006, 08:43 AM

Considering how cheap these are, how easy they are to install, and how much more satisfaction they add to driving your car there is no reason EVERYONE should not install these. You don't have to buy the 50 dollar Silverstar bulbs either to see the improvement.

Zerohour3k · #13 12-27-2006, 11:14 AM

I bought my E-codes for my 300D last winter.. and let me tell you.. it's a world of difference. Friends nearby with regular sealed beams for their W123's all comment on how much better they can see with my car.

Most likely, buying the E-codes was the best purchase I ever did for that car. I'd get the 100W's, but the 60/55's work fine. I'm pretty sure mine are aimed properly. __/__/ should be the pattern, right? The right "backwards L" should touch where the left beam curves upwards, correct?

TheDon · #14 12-27-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

I never had to cut the back part of the headlights when I switched to E-code lights. Won't doing this allow water to get in the engine compartment through that hole?

While we're on the topic of E-codes, does anybody have a good suggestion for headlight lens protectors? I lost my right headlight because of road debris, knocked a good pin-sized hole through the glass. A new set of Hellas from the same site Dave got his are on its way.

3M makes a type of thin vinyl like cover that goes right over the glass..

Stevo · #15 12-27-2006, 11:59 AM

Its one of the best upgrades you can do especially for those of us with "older eyes". I use Phlips Plus 30s they seem to do about as good a job as the 100/80s I ran till finding out about the hazards of running over wattage bulbs.