Hella headlight adjustment
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Houston
Hella headlight adjustment
I finally got to try my new headlights out with the s ilverstar ultra on a dark road.
I wanted to ask how do you align the beam pattern for the E series housings?
Low beam seems fine but switching to high beam the distinct line of light is up in the trees and the road is dark not even a glimmer from thr road reflectors. The low beam works fine as it lights street signs up high fine till you get to within 20-30 feet then it doesn't glow anymore.
I am thinking I need to tilt my housings down but not sure if there's any special alignment pattern for the E style housings or if I just do it like they are dot housings.
I wanted to ask how do you align the beam pattern for the E series housings?
Low beam seems fine but switching to high beam the distinct line of light is up in the trees and the road is dark not even a glimmer from thr road reflectors. The low beam works fine as it lights street signs up high fine till you get to within 20-30 feet then it doesn't glow anymore.
I am thinking I need to tilt my housings down but not sure if there's any special alignment pattern for the E style housings or if I just do it like they are dot housings.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
That is a pretty good explination of the procedure.
I used to just keep a screwdriver in the truck and adjust as needed until I got them just right.
That is a pretty good explination of the procedure.
I used to just keep a screwdriver in the truck and adjust as needed until I got them just right.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
^^^ X2.
I've linked Stern's page(s) for Rusty too many times to remember.
All you have to do is find a level lot and the broad side of a barn or warehouse.
There's no way the high beams should be pointing any higher than the headlight actually is above the pavement.
I've linked Stern's page(s) for Rusty too many times to remember.
All you have to do is find a level lot and the broad side of a barn or warehouse.
There's no way the high beams should be pointing any higher than the headlight actually is above the pavement.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Houston
I was at work when I made the post, it was slow to the point that I was messing with the truck and was going to try adjusting them at the shop before leaving.
I didnt have the website saved in my phone but I did a search for the headlight alignment for the E code lights and I found the Daniel`s site and read and took notes.
I did adjust the alignment tonight but I only tilted the lights down by turning the adjustment screw out 4 full turns on both sides. It appears that it is close enough till I can get a flat area where I can park the truck 25' away and do the alignment properly. Before on low beams the stop sign at the end of the street was lit up like it was on highbeams. Now with the lights dipped 4 full turns, the stop sign has a faint light glow on low and a very bright glow on highbeams. It looks like the highbeams might be a tad high still but it appears they are throwing more light on the road than before. Will try them out after work on Monday and see if I need to go another turn or two out.
I didnt have the website saved in my phone but I did a search for the headlight alignment for the E code lights and I found the Daniel`s site and read and took notes.
I did adjust the alignment tonight but I only tilted the lights down by turning the adjustment screw out 4 full turns on both sides. It appears that it is close enough till I can get a flat area where I can park the truck 25' away and do the alignment properly. Before on low beams the stop sign at the end of the street was lit up like it was on highbeams. Now with the lights dipped 4 full turns, the stop sign has a faint light glow on low and a very bright glow on highbeams. It looks like the highbeams might be a tad high still but it appears they are throwing more light on the road than before. Will try them out after work on Monday and see if I need to go another turn or two out.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Houston
No they are not DOT/SAE compliant, they are ECE Compliant.
From the reading I have done, DOT/SAE compliant lights have been the same requirements since the 1950's. ECE how ever are different in the sense that they are not allowed to throw a lot of light up high as signs where ECE lights are legal has to either be illuminated or highly reflective that glow with very little light.
This is why street signs have been a problem for me reading them as the signs require quite a bit of light to cause them to illuminate. Not a problem for me because I can rest assured that once I get these lights properly aligned I wont be blinding people unlike every other car on the road because of how much light they throw up and out into oncoming traffic.
From the reading I have done, DOT/SAE compliant lights have been the same requirements since the 1950's. ECE how ever are different in the sense that they are not allowed to throw a lot of light up high as signs where ECE lights are legal has to either be illuminated or highly reflective that glow with very little light.
This is why street signs have been a problem for me reading them as the signs require quite a bit of light to cause them to illuminate. Not a problem for me because I can rest assured that once I get these lights properly aligned I wont be blinding people unlike every other car on the road because of how much light they throw up and out into oncoming traffic.
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