C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

[Al P.]

I came upon this post on another forum with this idea to make the bubs brighter on C2's - simply by modifying the connections to the Low Beam Bulb that internally has 2 filaments (hi and low). It seems to me like a very good and simple idea, it is as follows: Post included: I opted to isolate the light into separate high and low beam functions. I did this by simply removing the high beam wiring/spade from the low beam connector/socket and wraping with black duck tape (to keep from shorting on anything). I then soldered a jumper wire from the low beam to high beam spades on the actual bulb. This isolated the bulbs to act on their own circuit and effectively raised the voltage in each circuit and as an added bonus gave me 2 filaments burning in the low beam lamps which increased the brightness dramatically. So here are my questions: Does this put any additional "load" on the stock wiring - I don't think it would since when the high beams are engaged all THREE bulb filaments (2 on low beam bulb and 1 on high beam bulb) on each side of the car are on running thru the stock wiring. I'm even thinking now that all you have to do is remove the low beam - jumper both 12v terminals (H & L Filaments) of the low beam lamp and put the connector back on as is. Since it will be all the same 12vdc coming in when the dimmer switch is pushed - this way you will have both HIGH BEAM and LOW BEAMS on when dimmer switch is pushed for high beams. The way it noted above (remove the high beam terminal connector in the low beam connector) when the dimmer is pushed the low beam goes out completely and only the high beam is on. I think this would work via the existing stock wiring with no modifications required. This way both bulbs operate when the dimmer switch is pushed - Agree? (Bottom line is the low beam now becomes a 2 filament lighted bulb in normal low beam position) Much brighter. Anyone's thoughts? Has anyone done this?

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Works fine if you do not want the filaments to last very long. Too much heat, plus the wiring harness might or might not be capable of the increased amperage draw. GM never oversized any wiring.

[Al P.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Works fine if you do not want the filaments to last very long. Too much heat, plus the wiring harness might or might not be capable of the increased amperage draw. GM never oversized any wiring.

Good Point - The heat considerations are valid.

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Al, if you like the brighter lights just re-aim the high beams to same height as the lows and run with the high beams. No one drives with the highs beams anyway.

[Al P.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Al, if you like the brighter lights just re-aim the high beams to same height as the lows and run with the high beams. No one drives with the highs beams anyway.

Hey Ed - Now that's the best IDEA I've heard in 47 years!!! No mods required!!! And especially since I use my headlamps perhaps once a year!! LOL!!!!!

[Patrick H.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

I just swapped in halogen bulbs, which are relatively inexpensive. Works like a charm.

[Mike E.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Hey Ed - Now that's the best IDEA I've heard in 47 years!!! No mods required!!! And especially since I use my headlamps perhaps once a year!! LOL!!!!!

So, if you are using them once a year, why think about doing what you suggest in the first post. Sounds to me like neither a "bright"idea nor a courteous one.

[Al P.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

So, if you are using them once a year, why think about doing what you suggest in the first post. Sounds to me like neither a "bright"idea nor a courteous one.

More curious I guess - And I already have Halogens for decades! End of Story - LOL!!!!!

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

I just swapped in halogen bulbs, which are relatively inexpensive. Works like a charm.

Patrick------


Anyone (who DRIVES their Corvette at night) that is not using halogen bulbs by now is a true dinosaur.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Patrick------


Anyone (who DRIVES their Corvette at night) that is not using halogen bulbs by now is a true dinosaur.

When I purchased my blue 71 (first Corvette) and took it out early on, I thought that the lights weren't working. Turns out it still had original T3s, and my first purchase for the car was a set of halogen bulbs that's still in the car.
Well, except for the ones the deer busted...

Patrick

[Norm B.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Al, if you like the brighter lights just re-aim the high beams to same height as the lows and run with the high beams. No one drives with the highs beams anyway.

Don't bother re-aiming. Just don't open the headlights quite all the way up and turn on the high beams and you will accomplish almost the same thing.

I swapped out to halogens years ago and it is really the simpler and safer way to go.

[William F.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Had halogens in my 67 till they burned out the light switch in the dash-seemed to be too much load. Replaced halogens with conventional and replaced dash headlight switch.

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Well I guess I am that dinosaur.

What about just leaving them on bright and dipping them to dim. Sort of a courtesy curtsey.

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Well I guess I am that dinosaur.

What about just leaving them on bright and dipping them to dim. Sort of a courtesy curtsey.

That's the way I would do it also, I still have the original T-3's and they are pretty bad. Makes me wonder how I got home on nights when I was young, regardless of the lights I still wonder how I got home nights when I was young.

[Michael M.]

Re: C2 Brighter Headlight Idea

Tim at least you got home!