Let there be light! Hella style

[Grandpa Smurf]

My original chrome OE spotlights on my 2005 Cooper have rusted and need replaced. My Cooper is Hyper Blue and I thought a great upgrade would be the Hella Rallye 3000 blue fluted lamps. I live in the countryside so the extra light helps. The original BMW bulbs are H3's, the Hella H1 bulbs, should that make the difference. Didn't want standard Wipac lamps as these may perform better. Does the 12v or 24v make a difference. Am an electrical dud at the moment, but am already BMW OE wired up. Wat does anybody think? Hella's?

[Cooper S Jon]

welcome to Mini2..

my R56 Coop S has got the spots also,when the weather get better i'll be upgrading mine to Hella 1000,12v 55watt bulbs same as the oe bulbs. whether it's h1 h3.

I had these fitted to my cavalier back in the 90's and the spots obliterated the headlamps which i fitted with 100w bulbs,just goes to show how well the relector design is on the hella..

i wouldn't bother with blue,just get a clear lens ones lightbarsdirect - Hella Rallye 3000

[Vitesse]

Not sure what you are asking? But if you are asking whether you can use 24v bulbs in a car with a 12v battery then no is the answer?

Also are you just going to use the original mounting brackets and original OEM wiring loom? If so, you need to check how many amps the original lamps used and how many the new ones use.

I would imagine if they are brighter they will draw more current so then you need to check what amp rating the OEM loom wiring and the switching relay are and whether it is sufficient to handle the new lamps, otherwise you risk frying either the relay or the cabling loom.

I have Hella FF200 on my Mini but this was a specific kit that came with loom relay and mounting brackets etc... They give much brighter light that the OEM's but I don't think you can get the anymore. Oh and they don't rust.

[Cooper S Jon]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vitesse (original)

I would imagine if they are brighter they will draw more current so then you need to check what amp rating the OEM loom wiring and the switching relay are and whether it is sufficient to handle the new lamps, otherwise you risk frying either the relay or the cabling loom.

how is a hella lamp 12v 55w going to draw more current than a oe lamp 12v 55w,it isn't it's the same..

24v lamps are for lorries..

[Vitesse]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper S Jon (original)

how is a hella lamp 12v 55w going to draw more current than a oe lamp 12v 55w,it isn't it's the same..

24v lamps are for lorries..

The original post didn't mention anything about the power of either the OE lamp or the new one, so the information I provided was correct. The difference is on the occasion is you helpfully knew the information, so agreed it won't make any difference.

[Grandpa Smurf]

Thanks for your help lads. Apologies for not being clear. Am planning to use the original wiring loom and brackets, just swap the old OE lamps (who does make em? can't find em on the net) for the new Hella Rallye 3000 Blue Clear Glass Lens (x2). Do you guys think that's ok with regard to amps - don't wanna blow or fry anything. Only had the Cooper for 6 weeks and already spent £700 on an oil change and a copper pipe courtesy of my local dealership. Want to get a local auto electrician to put em on. Any tips? I can strip and rebuild mechanical parts but the art of auto electrics I leave to the pros. Take it on the Lightbars Direct site I have to order the H1 12v bulbs separate?

[Cooper S Jon]

give them a call,why blue lamps,might/will have problems with the police,blue lights at the front of a car is a nono.

best sticking to the clear lens.

they'll be fine as long as the bulb is 12v 55watt,,

[Grandpa Smurf]

Thank you very much lads for all your advice. Will go for the clear lens. Appreciate the help. After a rocky Mini start things are looking up. Cheers! Enjoy your Minis.