V Star Passing Lamps - difference between sealed and halogen

[kmalek]

Hello all,

I want to add passing lamps to my 2007 V-Star Classic and when I was looking at Yamaha site I noticed that there are two types.
One is Sealed Beam lamps and the other is Halogen lamps.
Can someone explain what the difference is and which ones are better.

I'm not sure if I understand the "sealed beam" correctly...
Does it mean that the entire lamp is sealed and if it breaks I have to replace the whole thing?

If that's the case, aren't the halogen better, as it only requires a bulb if it brakes?

Any info is much appreciated.
Thanks
Chris

 

[turbodish]

That's what it is. A sealed beam is an entire assembly, lens, reflector, and filament are one unit sealed together.

The original sealed beams uses tungsten filaments suspended inside the lens/reflector assembly, but sealed beams have been available in halogen versions for as long as I can remember. The halogen version of a sealed beam uses a halogen bulb permanently sealed within the lens/reflector assembly. When that bulbs burns out, you replace the entire bulb/lens/reflector assembly.

A lot of light assemblies these days use separate bulb and lens/reflector assemblies. Bulbs can be replaced separately from the lens/reflector assembly. Lens are often made of plastic, and they are susceptible to pitting/oxidation/fogging over time. When that happens, usable light output will suffer.

The nice thing about sealed beams is that you never have to worry about fogging inside the lens, oxidation on the outside of plastic lens, rusting or discolouring of the reflector, or accidently touching the "bulb" with your fingers as is the case with separate bulns and lens assemblies. When you replace the sealed beam (whether it be tungsten or halogen based, you automatically renew your lens and reflector.

However, sealed beam assemblies are available only in limited sizes, usually round or square, and not in the elaborate headlight shapes you see on a lot of vehicles these days. If you have a choice though, a sealed halogen will tend to give the best light over time and be less susceptible to bulb or lens degradation.

 

[kmalek]

Thanks turbodish for the detailed info.

Based on that, would you actually recommend to buy the sealed beam instead of halogen?
Price is the same for either one.

 

[turbodish]

Thanks turbodish for the detailed info.

Based on that, would you actually recommend to buy the sealed beam instead of halogen?
Price is the same for either one.

My answer would be to go halogen because halogen gives you brighter, whiter light, but even there "halogen" could mean complete sealed halogen beam unit or it could mean replaceable halogen bulb in a separate lens/reflector housing.

Going to a separate bulb version may give you more options when it comes to using higher wattage or colour-tinted bulbs. If that's important to you, a sealed beam unit is out.

If that's not important to you, and if the sealed beam you're looking at is available in a halogen version at the same price, I'd probably go with the halogen sealed beam.

 

[bitzz]

Actually the DIFFERENCE is a regular sealed beam is filled with argon and a halogen is filled with halogen.
A halogen will always be more efficient.
EMGO carries both sealed and halogens in all the popular sizes.

As to "...but sealed beams have been available in halogen versions for as long as I can remember. "

Either Mr. Turbo is a lot younger than I though, or he has a really bad memory.
We were using halogen conversions into the mid nineties.

 

[turbodish]

Actually the DIFFERENCE is a regular sealed beam is filled with argon and a halogen is filled with halogen.
A halogen will always be more efficient.
EMGO carries both sealed and halogens in all the popular sizes.

As to "...but sealed beams have been available in halogen versions for as long as I can remember. "

Either Mr. Turbo is a lot younger than I though, or he has a really bad memory.
We were using halogen conversions into the mid nineties.

FMVSS-approved halogen sealed beams for cars date back to the late 70s. Imported Bosch halogen conversion kits with separate bulb and reflectors were available before then from automotive specialty shops. That's just about as long as I can remember. ;-)