Pop-up Headlamps

[john.p.clegg]

Dear All
Recently someome mentioned that they had converted their headlamps to mazda motorised units,don't know where it is but would be interested in photos or diagrams...

P.S.
Are they driven up and held up by the 12v? Are they driven down? etc.etc.

Thanks

John

[Jason1]

That will be Matt.

I will be converting mine asap and am trailing Ebay at the present for the parts.

Jason

[john.p.clegg]

Sorry everybody (and Jason),have just learned how to use the search function and have found the thread...

Thanks again
John

[john.p.clegg]

Jason
Have too much on my plate at the moment,they're yours
Ebay 170018889421 and 170018889900 and see sellers other items for mechanism

John

[Jason1]

Matt's motors are from a Toyota Supra, I think they are a bit beafier.

Jason

[Matt]

I converted mine headlamps a couple of months ago, I got a headlamp lift motor from a scrap yard off a rolled Toyota Supra Cost ?5 with linkage ! and some relays and set about making a kinda prototype system but within a few hours I had done it and it works so well I've just kept with it.


The headlamps make a great sound when moving up and down they also move at the perfect speed but you could add a rheostat if you wanted to get set-able speed. With the Toyota Supra motor having a finger crank you can tun the motor and set it up just right before you need power it up, also has exactly the right length arm to give the perfect throw so the lamps are held up rigid and fold down rigid against the stops. I've counter weighted the pods with one spring and also mounted the two relays in a small plastic box on the motor mount so its out the way. If anyone wants more info (motor pictures / part number, mount dimensions and relay and box part numbers for maplins) just give me a shout.


Have added Some pictures and my scribbled diagram I did.

Matt

[Matt]

Just looked at your ebay motors jason and the motors are the same as the one im using but the arms are shorter than mine. My shaft to ball joint length is 45mm. If your not using the standard S/S130 pod connecting bar then it won't matter anyway

[Elanman99]

Attached is a picture of the Toyota Supra (via Excel) motor I used on my S4 Elan. I am sure I posted this picture on a previous ocassion but I cant find the original topic.

I can testify that this motor has more than enough beef! I trapped my wrist in the body opening when I had my hand through the hole that the headlamp shell fits into. Thing is, once the motor is powered, its on its way and it only stops when it reaches TDC or BDC. Disconnecting the battery just leaves it in the stopped position. Fortunately the motr shaft is fitted with a manual operating knob.

Ian Phillips

[john.p.clegg]

Silly me,I've just realised that when you do this mod,there's more room to play with as there are two vacuum balls removed......

John

[lotuselanman]

Gidday all,
Nice simple set up for the lifts.
Easy to pick a UK car by the amount of rust and crud on the steel bits, when will Goverments learn, that use of salt on the roads is criminal.
See ya, Les

[Hamish Coutts]

Les,

Criminal??!!

Part of the nanny state.

Salt is the same as speed bumps, unnecessary light controlled junctions and traffic lights at roundabouts. When will drivers learn to turn right (or left) properly or just give way!!!!

Whatever happened to the advanced driving code of 'don't cause another driver to brake because of your driving actions'?

If it is icey - slow down. Drive accordingly to the conditions. Don't they teach that anymore?

Hamish.

[theelanman]

john
mine had been coverted when I got it and I think its actually something like a ford sierra window motor.......
someone told me that...as it was a conversion offered by a lotus orientated organisation.....they couldnt remember who but seem to remember something in the CL mag from the early 80's about it!!....
cheers
g
ps Ive seen Ians and theyre very good....he has one for each light pod and theyre very quick up and down......for the +2 mine are on a long 'axle' and opperate together from the single motor so no mexican wave......

[M100]

someone told me that...as it was a conversion offered by a lotus orientated organisation.....they couldnt remember who

Chris Neils did a conversion kit in the 80's. I still have an old catlogue somewhere with pictures.

[handi_andi]

Hello all
Given that there seems to be alot of headlight conversions taking place, which I have to admit is very tempting to do myself but having spent half the weekend working on my vacum system I think I will perserver. Which leads me on to the point of this post. I appear to have an offside leaking vacum pod and I was wondering if someone was interested in passing / selling a non-leaking one on to me?
Thanks
Andrew

[john.p.clegg]

Andrew

You could fix the leak?
John