Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: peteinjp Jun 10 2023, 12:36 AM

I have the yellow HELLA TN1 TN2 units and one lens is cracked. They are very cool but for me serve no real purpose. I am thinking to get a new lens but- what i really need is more light for corners at night. I don’t drive much at night but when i do get out of the twisties it’s hard to see around a corner. Due the driving light lenses actually function well in this location?

Pete

Bummer:

Posted by: 914Sixer Jun 10 2023, 06:06 AM

Euro driving lights. These are reproduction. Halogen bulbs but you could convert to single LED bulb.


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: StarBear Jun 10 2023, 06:31 AM

Clear T4 IIRC with LED bulb. Better visibility but check color temp of bulb for correct illumination. I had LED but also don’t drive much at night and liked the warmer color of the filament bulbs. The LED highlights made much more of a difference to me.

Posted by: burton73 Jun 10 2023, 06:44 AM

Pictured is my 6 done by PMB Performance and I wanted some serious light. As you can see in picture the light is extreme!

LED blubs did the trick, but I remember my 1974 2.0 back in 1980 that I had some rectangular fog lights that filled the full opening of the bumper and the lens’s where concave and they spread the light super wide and on the tight turns of Mulholland in Los Angeles as they light up right where you were going. I think they were something like a Hella 155 but like I said concave rectangle.


Bob B

Posted by: Cairo94507 Jun 10 2023, 06:49 AM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=25723 - I would reach out to Jerry (Spoke) who makes the outstanding LED lights for our cars and order a set of his LED driving lights- they are very bright. In fact, if you have not, please consider converting all of your exterior lighting to Jerry's LED's. They are plug and play and bring modern lighting to our cars without any modifications required.

Posted by: sportlicherFahrer Jun 10 2023, 11:35 AM

I run the Pilot lights like what @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=453 sells. They go for $99 a set shipped(not sure about shipping overseas). H3 bulbs are definitely an upgrade from the stock bulbs. Nice and bright on the mountain roads in the Cascades.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=356777

https://914werke.com/shop/ols/products/driving-light

Posted by: porschetub Jun 10 2023, 01:58 PM

I have the same,found them to be pretty bright ,haven't tryed H3 lamps as yet but may do so ,can't remember what the lamps are that came with them.
These are well made but I replaced the bolts in the brackets with stainless ones,only other thing is if you break a lenses you are screwed unlike the original foglights

Posted by: Craigers17 Jun 10 2023, 02:21 PM

I just installed these same Driving lights/fog lights that Rich sells. I opted to add the LED bulbs. If I remember, I'll try to snap a pic tonight after it gets dark.



You probably wouldn't have had to take off the bumper, but I've been "Jones'n" to do a very rough mock up of my fiberglass bumper and air dam, so I pulled it all off...needs to be painted anyways.

Posted by: Stratfink Jun 10 2023, 10:48 PM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=21317

Your front bumper and air dam mock-up is looking good. Is that from GT Racing or another source?

Thanks - Joe

Posted by: Craigers17 Jun 11 2023, 04:24 AM

Sorry Joe, I'm not sure. I bought them both used from private parties. There are no markings on them.

Posted by: ThinAir Jun 12 2023, 02:30 PM

I replaced my Pilots with these. I had tried to put LEDs in the Pilots, but the reflectors aren't made for them so they were just bright spots that didn't light the road. I'm really happy with this setup.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YC4FX4V?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Posted by: peteinjp Jun 13 2023, 02:16 AM

Thanks everyone. more options that I thought! I'll dig in and do some research.

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=7414 what housings/lenses did PMB use?

And for the guys with the Pilots- are they brighter than the stock lights? Price is good for sure but the non replaceable lens kinda cancels that out.

At the moment I'm thinking of getting a set of the clear driving lenses with the very light fluting like the ones listed on eBay above- for my existing housings. Any leads on just the lens?



Pete

Posted by: SixerJ Jun 13 2023, 02:59 AM

Not 914 Specific, but interesting background if sticking with filament for any reason

I followed the AC guidance for my Sprinter camper just before a 3500 mile European road trip. Significant improvement at night over 18 month old old stock bulbs

Also note if searching these seem to be no longer branded as GE but the same thing / same factory

http://www.audettecollection.com/a-guide-to-h1-h4-bulbs/

Posted by: peteinjp Jun 13 2023, 03:17 AM

Oh- and just to be clear (pun intended...) I'm looking for more light off the sides of the road- more throw than your typical fog but not as narrow as a long distance lamp. I have a pair of Hella 400o cornering lamps on the roof of one of my other cars and they are amazing- but overkill and illegal.... I have them set up with a separate switch but to only be able to be switched with the high beams on.

Pete

Posted by: Jamie Jun 13 2023, 09:28 AM

So I have a bottom line question, is there an LED "bulb" replacement for the original fog lamp housings? I would like to be able to use them for daylight running lights without major deviation from original appearance on my almost all original 73 driver.

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 13 2023, 10:21 AM

we sell reproductions of the original 914 h-3 with the optional led lightbulbs

Posted by: burton73 Jun 13 2023, 12:31 PM

Pete,

I couple of pix. Factory fog lens.

Best Bob B

Posted by: SirAndy Jun 13 2023, 01:01 PM

Just here to add my obligatory "those are not driving lights" comment.

Check your local laws, in Germany it is illegal to use your fog lights as driving lights.

Posted by: ClayPerrine Jun 13 2023, 02:48 PM

The fog lights on my big six have been replaced with 911 driving lights. They are the same body, but the lens has a different diffuser pattern.


I have them wired to be daytime running lights, and I would love to convert them to LED.

Posted by: peteinjp Jun 13 2023, 07:03 PM

Seems there are 2 driving lenses used- one like Bob's that are similar to the fogs but with no change in the fluting top to bottom and one with less extreme fluting as the ones on Ebay linked above.

Clay- which lenses are your 911 lights?

I'm leaning towards getting lenses like Bob's thinking that the patterned would be spread out more and scattered to the sides a bit.

Pete

Posted by: Van B Jun 13 2023, 07:27 PM

I bought a set of those and they are absolutely spot on reproductions… even includes OE ink stamps. Made on original factory equipment.

Posted by: ClayPerrine Jun 14 2023, 12:58 AM

I never really looked closely at the pattern, and the car is down right now so I can't get a picture of the pattern.

The part number is 911 631 121 00.

I had a 911 guy get pissed at me because I wouldn't agree to sell them to him. He had been looking for a set for his 70 911 S for years. He felt they didn't belong on a 914 because it was not a real Porsche.

Posted by: sportlicherFahrer Jun 14 2023, 06:49 AM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=25723 Yes, the Pilot style lights are brighter than the stock lights.

Also, for those interested in re-lighting the stock housings and retaining the original lens( @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=2939 ), @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=3031 does have LED boards for that purpose on his sight.

https://www.spokeworksled.com/product-page/914-70-74-round-foglight-boards-w-round-led-pattern-pair

Posted by: Jamie Jun 14 2023, 09:31 AM

Thanks, I ordered them several days ago. Will report on the install when I return from the Freedom Road Rally in Ohio all next week.

Posted by: Literati914 Jun 14 2023, 10:09 AM

To me the idea of a 914 fog light throwing a wide pattern seems counterintuitive, when you stop to consider that when installed as original, they are recessed inside of the bumper and also an inch or so inside of a plastic/chrome bezel. Seems like most of the pattern width would be killed by the recessed nature of that arrangement. Where as, an exposed bumper or hood mounted light would be more effective at pattern width. I have pilots and originals, not sure which I’ll install … pilots are probably better light but I kinda prefer the looks of the originals. Honestly tho I’ll probably just consider them daytime running lights as I have the wiring mod pieces already.


.

Posted by: Spoke Jun 16 2023, 11:12 PM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=2939

Thanks for the order. In a rare occasion, I built an extra set a week ago and should be able to get these out to you on Monday.

To answer your question about fitment in a '73 OEM fixture, they should fit perfectly. This is what the set looks like. A board with 8 high power LEDs running at 0.35A each for a power of about 9W each being 2x brighter than the OEM bulb running 35W. A mounting frame is supplied.



To mount them, disassemble the bezel, glass lens/gasket, and reflector. Set the reflector aside; you won't need it. Replace the gasket if not soft and supple (Recommended); 914rubber has new ones. Replace the lens if pitted. Paint the bezel if you like.

Put the gasket on the lens. Then insert the lens/gasket in the mounting frame making sure the gasket fits smoothly all around looking like this:



If the gasket looks like this, remove it and try again.



Once the lens/gasket/LED board are together, get the 4 metal clips and supplied tool and reassemble. If the clips are missing or bad, 914rubber has new ones.



There's 4 cutouts in the PCB for the clips to hold onto. It's not good to put the clips ON the PCB as this may deform the PCB.



Orient the board in the bezel so the printing is upright and the notch in the bezel at the bottom aligns with the notch in the glass lens. One by one replace the metal clips using the supplied installation tool. Wear safety glasses and do this in a room where you can find the clips if they slip off as they tend to accelerate at high speed as far away from you as possible.



Done.







On the vehicle, remove the bulb socket by unscrewing the small flat head screw for power and crimp on the supplied connector on each side.





Install the assembly in the fixture, replace the bumper and drive it like you stole it.


Attached image(s)