75W Main Beam, Legal or Not?

C

chrisyork

Active Member
Now that Lucky is operational and more or less as I want him, I've been going through my accumulated P6 spares. To my surprise I've come across a pair of Lucas sealed beanm 75W inner main beam lamps. I know these were original factory fitment on Lucky - 1970. But are they legal to use today? And how would I find out? Crucially, would he fail an MoT if they were fitted?

Chris
 
Hi, it shouldn't fail the MOT they are more concerned with headlight
aim and insufficient light output. The problem with putting larger
wattage filaments in headlights is that the filament is physically bigger
and moves further away from the focal point of the reflector and you
then get light scatter. However in a standard proprietary sealed beam
unit this will not be a problem and as you say they were original factory
equipment. So fit them. Colin
 
The only problem I can forsee is that the main beam and the dip beam will be so different in intensity, that you won't be able to re-adjust your eyes and you will be effectively blind when on dip.

Richard
 
In a Four light system like we have on the P6, the inner lamps are NOT subject to the MOT testing. Therefore, you can legitimately have failed inner beams and still pass the MOT (been there and got the certificate :wink: )

So Chris - It's not a problem.

Fit them and enjoy!

Bri.
 
chrisyork said:
Now that Lucky is operational and more or less as I want him, I've been going through my accumulated P6 spares. To my surprise I've come across a pair of Lucas sealed beanm 75W inner main beam lamps. I know these were original factory fitment on Lucky - 1970. But are they legal to use today? And how would I find out? Crucially, would he fail an MoT if they were fitted?

Chris
Click to expand...

Chris

My car has 75W inner sealed beams and I've never had any problems with the MOT. I also have a spare set too :D

Dave
 
I bit the bullet and changed over to halogens on both outer and inner lamps and fitted the Osram 'daylight' bulbs. Best thing I ever did. My night vision isn't the best and I find that jumping from a modern Honda Accord to a Rover P6 with yellow, candlepower sealed beams can be a tad hard on the eyes!

The key thing with headlamps is (a) check cleanliness/condition of the 12V +ve connectors to the rear of the bulbs and (b) check soundness/cleanliness of the earthing system. On the V8 there is a multi-way bullet receptacle nestling behind the servo. Mine had broken up inside and was making for some interesting lighting effects!
 
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