Depo headlights

[White Mule]

I bought the new Depo headlights and noticed that there are no bulbs inside. Is this normal?

[jessef]

Yep

For bulbs, this is what I'm using and they are much brighter than the standard H1/H3 bulbs.

Lowbeams : Hella XP Extreme 55W high output bulbs (DOT approved)

http://www.hella.com/produktion/Optilux ... /H3/H3.jsp

Highbeams : Hella XB 100W high output bulbs (offroad use only !)

http://www.hella.com/produktion/Optilux ... /H1/H1.jsp

The lowbeams H3's put out a white/blueish beam which is crisp.

The highbeam 100W H1's I would only recommend if you use them offroad or on lonely roads. They are not approved for road use.

[White Mule]

Ok so starting with fresh bulbs makes sense.

[Erebus]

You can use the bulbs out of your old headlights.

Actually, you are lucky. Most people who got Depos with bulbs find they burned out within weeks. So you are spared the hassle of finding the bulbs are useless.

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

[mararmeisto]

What are these "Depo" lenses? Are these the ones which are 'less cloudy' than the E13s most of us seem to have? I pretty much despise my headlights, especially since I changed my running lights to LEDs (which at a measly 10W are nearly as bright as my low beam headlights).

[White Mule]

What are these "Depo" lenses?

Im not quite sure yet myself. However after I make the required change, I should have a better idea. The bulbs are on the agenda for tomorrow.

[fishslapper]

i would think with the 100w high beam bulbs that you would need to upgrade the wires running to the headlights too. Just to be on the safe side.
The 100w highs are a huge improvement over 65w !!! I remember the guy at bow wow auto supply going under the counter and saying "....well,......we do have these !! but yo can't use them on the road.........(wink wink nudge nudge)"

It was like i was getting drugs or something. He was all quiet about it !! hahahahaha.......lol's

[Jester]

What are these "Depo" lenses? Are these the ones which are 'less cloudy' than the E13s most of us seem to have? I pretty much despise my headlights, especially since I changed my running lights to LEDs (which at a measly 10W are nearly as bright as my low beam headlights).

Depo is just a company name.
They're almost same junk as the other chinese ones.(at least mine are-one already started letting the water in and corroded the headlight wire connection, causing a short)
So one looks more cloudy than the other because of the moisture.

[tomanique]

I see in Lordco they have 100W H3's. Would I be able to drop those in to my lowbeams or is the wiring/fusing going to cause a problem?

[Erebus]

I would suspect that 100w bulbs would have an issue with the wiring. They are also illegal in pretty much every jurisdiction -- the law specifies wattage, not lumens of output.

Depo lights might not be great, but they are better than the other no-name brand

[White Mule]

What gives? The old lights have a three prong connection and the new depo has a four. Dont tell me I got a whole lotta electrical messin round' ?

P.S. I am using "Sylvania Silverstars" H1 and H3, both 55w each. 100w is overkill and probably illegal.

[Erebus]

Yes, you do. If you remember, I showed you that little detail when you visited me a while ago. I would recommend that you leave the vehicle connector alone. Cut the 3-prong triangular connecter off the old headlights (leave enough wire), cut the 4-prong square connector off the new headlights, and solder the 3-prong onto the wires. Make sure you solder them, and tape them well.

Oh, on the 4-prong connector is it actually 4 prongs? Do all 4 have wires coming out? 'Cause on mine, there were only 3 contacts and 3 wires in the thing. If you have 4, you probably have headlights with an additional socket that can be used for daytime running light (DRLs). If so, I would reverse my advice above and use the square connectors.

Feel free to phone me and we can discuss and/or meet to have a look.

[Green1]

What gives? The old lights have a three prong connection and the new depo has a four. Dont tell me I got a whole lotta electrical messin round' ?

That's normal, the LHD headlights use a different connector than the RHD headlights, (probably to stop people from using the "wrong" ones)

You'll have to cut the connector off your old ones and solder it on to the new ones, just pay attention to which wire goes where.

[White Mule]

If you have 4, you probably have headlights with an additional socket that can be used for daytime running light (DRLs). If so, I would reverse my advice above and use the square connectors.

Yes Fred I have the fourth green wire which is the DRL. Even with a new four prong connector, there are only three wires coming from the vehicle?

DRL 5w bulb? (plastic reads "W5W")

[Green1]

DRL 5w bulb? (plastic reads "W5W")

it is NOT for DRL, it is what they call in europe "city light", I'm not sure what purpose it could possibly have, but unless it is night time you can barely tell it's there.