Headlamp beam conversion from RH drive for use abroad

Hi

I have a right hand drive UK version Peugeot 407 with xenon lights &
will be going to France in October.

I read that high-intensity discharge (HID) or xenon headlights cannot
be adapted by applying an external mask.

What's the solution? Can these be adjusted manually?

 

I thought I read somewhere that modern headlights do not dip to left or
right but centrally and, therefore, no conversion is required. Someone
more knowledgeable might like to confirm whether this is true.

 

I tend to agree. I do a lot of driving in Europe and have never bothered
masking the headlamps. The proof of the pudding is in the dazzling. I
figure that if no oncoming drivers flash me at night my lights can't be
dazzling them. I'd recommend not bothering.

 

When we first came to Brittain, long time ago, it was very easy.
I just had to tape the "triangular" part of the glass on the headlights of
my Renault 5 LS. Because they gave an assymetric beam (rightside up)
My P 307 still has this assymetric beam, but the glass (plastic) is clear
now, so I wouldn't know how to do that either.

I know nothing about XE lights (and I'm not from Barcelona, but from Antwerp
;-)

At least you can lower your lights now, just by turning a knob on your
dashboard, maybe that's enough. It won't give you optimal sight but you
won't offend other drivers.

I'm very interested to hear the right answer too

Grtz,
Eric B.

 

I don't think there is a 'right answer.'

The AA have this to say on their website:

"If you're driving to the Continent then you must adjust the headlamp
beam pattern to suit driving on the right so that the dipped beam
doesn't dazzle oncoming drivers.

Never go without adjusting the headlamp pattern as it is a compulsory
requirement in most countries.

Modern high-intensity discharge (HID) or xenon headlights can't be
adapted by applying an external mask. Fortunately, many feature an
internal 'shutter' that can be moved into place by a screw or lever
adjustment at the back of the headlamp unit. But some designs are less
convenient and the dealer will need to make the adjustment.

Modern halogen-type headlamps
Some of these now require external masks of such complex design that
motorists struggle to follow the instructions and work out exactly how
and where the mask should be applied.

Check with the dealer or the car's handbook for advice – especially if
your car has HID or XENON headlamps."

As I pointed out in my first post upthread, AFAIK, the only 'legal'
requirement seems to be that "...the dipped beam must not dazzle
oncoming drivers."

How one accomplishes that depends on vehicle and/or headlamp type. In my
406 V6 the headlamp beam is adjustable from inside the car. All I do in
Europe is turn the dipped beam down a tad. As the beam is not
particularly assymmetric (like older cars) it doesn't dazzle oncoming
drivers. Job done.

I'm sure 'No Spams' 407 is even easier to set-up than my 406. I don't
see a problem. Trust me, the Gendamerie have more interesting things to
do at night than pull over Brits to check their cars headlamp beam!

 

Trust me, the Gendamerie have more interesting things to

I agree. When was the last time you say a 'foreign' car with beam adjusters
on their headlights.
Once in 10 years of looking is my 'record'!!!
DaveAS

 

Trust me, the Gendamerie have more interesting things to
A few years back they used to wait at ferry terminals giving out fixed
penalties to those who hadn't made the effort. Last couple times I've gone
Eurotunnel, they'd have trouble there!

I would also like an answer for my 207cc. My old Vectra had clearly defined
areas on the glass which you covered with tape but it seems the newer cars
have the beam patterns done by the reflectors instead.

Since the dipped points down anyway, I don't see why there was ever a
problem - and the 207cc has directional lights which illuminate an
additional bulb in a dipped pattern when you turn corners.

D

 

Indeed! Or at Cherbourg. Destitute, desperate, dissembling Kazahkstanis
and other assorted ne-er-do-wells seeking a fast-track ticket to Social
Security Easy Street tend to keep Monsieur Plod busy these days...

My 406 has, but its a 2002 model, so hardly new. I assume all current
models have such reflectors.

I think it's a historical problem. Pre about 1990 UK cars had a much
harsher asymmetric dip pattern which **could** cause problems when
driving abroad.

 

They always dipped down and left which tended to make it difficult for other
drivers when you were driving on the right. Of course when I had my first
car it was a lot harder than just putting patches on the glass because on
that car, 1936 Austin 10 Cambridge, the dip was achieved by the nearside
headlight turning off and the offside having its reflector physically tilted
by a solenoid to point down and left.

 

Bloody hell Keith you must be old.

Bryan

 

If it did that, Keith, the previous owner had swapped the lights over.
Standard arrangement was O/S off, N/S deflected towards the kerb. It was a
good idea to make sure the O/S sidelight was working properly.

And if anyone thinks that was bad, they should try groping their way about
with war-time black-out shields on the lamps...

Ron Robinson

 

Quite right, it was the other way around. Best car I had headlight wise
was my little "sit up and beg" 1954 Ford Popular. If it was foggy (and
remember in those days it was smog, not fog) I twisted the left hand
headlight to shine across on the white lines and the right hand one across
to light up the kerb. made the car look cross eyed but it worked a treat.
Can't do anything like that these days, but then modern drivers have never
experienced smog.

 

I have and it was very thick.

 

You'll know what I mean then. Around 1960, after I left school, I had a
125cc BSA Bantam and on a couple of occasions, sitting on the bike, you
could not see the road below you, the smog was so thick. Rode the bike
home from work in first gear dragging my left foot along in the gutter to
feel the kerb.

 

I was very lucky, i walked or got public transport,took about 1hr to
get about 2 miles by public transport.(dont think it has changed
nowdays.)

 

The answer from Citroen UK for the same question about my C5 lights is that
the beam pattern from xenon lights negates the need to apply any beam
deflectors as the light cuts off at a lower height to the left. (Try facing
a vertical wall with the lights illuminated and see for yourself) We drove
in France in the dark at the beginning of September and none of the oncoming
drivers flashed to indicate they were being dazzled

 

Easy way, as stated is to shine the dipped headlights onto a wall and look
at the pattern. If it has a flat top, you don't have to do anything, if it
kicks up on the left side, you shoulf do something. Your main Pug dealer
should be able to advise.
On my non-HID 307, I bought a pair of headlight protectors, which come with
markings printed on them, and bits of black sticky-back plastic (do you
remember Blue Peter).
I keep the protectors in the shed and put them on (complete with masks)
every time I go across the channel.

 

Your letting yourself down. I visualised you as quite young but with
memories like that.....

You'll tell me next that you watched "Whirligig" and "The SS Saturday
Special" as a kid (I did). ;o)

 

NO, dont know them ahahaha

 

Thanks for all the replies to this.

Peugeot tell me that there is no provision for RHD beams to be
adjusted to LHD by the owner.

I can tell you that Peugeot do sell a "universal beam converter kit -
suitable for xenon headlamps". Part no VAL284.
I've ordered one.

I just hope that it isn't only a piece of sticky tape to block off the
beam!