Sealed beam headlamp units

[grahammay2]

One of my sealed units has failed, should I replace just this one or upgrade both, but to what? It still uses a dynamo & most wiring is original.
The Lotus manual states 60/45w both my units although not absolutely clear appear to read 50/55 . What advise is out there with any ref numbers if possible - many thanks once more.
Graham

[neilsjuke]

Cibie 180 7" (valeo 082441) with Philips X-treme power H4 60/55W are fine in my Sprint as long as relayed
Neil

[mikealdren]

I agree with Neil, check your wiring. If it's sound you should be ok with 55W main beams but a relayed feed has lots of advantages. The wiring will be very old now, the cores corrode and the insulation gets brittle, especially where it gets hot or flexes a lot (e.g. Elan headlights). As an aside, the wiring insulation on my everyday Alfa failed at about 8years old where it flexes on the entry to the boot lid.

Headlamps have improved over the years. Does you car have the original lighting connectors or the 3 prong H4 type? The original cars didn't even have Halogen bulbs and the latest high output bulbs are far better than base Halogen units.

Almost any modern 7" light should fit but I've also had good experience with Cibie.

Mike

[grahammay2]

Thanks to responders, I do not know what H4 is, my sealed unit has 3 x 8mm spade connections if that helps.
Graham

[neilsjuke]

That H4 lucar pin
Neil