Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: MadOnVaux on 06 August 2006, 14:43:05

Title: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: MadOnVaux on 06 August 2006, 14:43:05
Didnt buy them off that site as i had planned...good job too really as i got a brand new pair off a lad over on Vectra-C.com for £10 delivered  :) ...what a rather' struggle it is to swap the n/s one though...next to no room by the battery, and i couldnt work out how to move the battery either...anyway...the pics...

Before: (Note the Amber tinge of doom :()

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/MadOnVaux/SSA50142.jpg)

and After: (shiney shiney silveryness :))

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/MadOnVaux/SSA50144.jpg)

 Huge improvement IMO...not sure they flash as bright as the standard bulbs though :-/
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: Auto Addict on 06 August 2006, 17:19:18
MarkJay did a 'How To' on the other site, I think.
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: Sir Sideways on 06 August 2006, 17:36:55
Looking good matey, Sweet motor btw.

Jim
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: MadOnVaux on 06 August 2006, 17:47:42
Cheers Jim...should look even better when i attack it with some Wax  :)

Auto Addict - A 'How To' for what, changing bulbs or moving the battery?
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: Markjay on 06 August 2006, 17:49:49
Quote
MarkJay did a 'How To' on the other site, I think.

In order to make enough room to swap a bulb on the N/S you need to either have the hand of a 2-years-old with the flexibility of a rubber hose, or chose between taking-off the battery or removing the headlamp. But looks like he somehow managed it anyway?


Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: MadOnVaux on 06 August 2006, 17:54:36
Aye, managed it...wasn't fun though, god knows what changing any of the headlamp bulbs will be like.

 I couldnt find any idea how to move the battery, couldnt see any clamps or nuts etc like on Cav's and Calibra's.
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: Markjay on 06 August 2006, 18:12:42
As AA said, I did this for 'the other site' some time ago...

(http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/9924/headlight12re.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)



Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: Auto Addict on 06 August 2006, 18:36:17
Mod's, please move this to the 'How to', well done MJ, very clear and precise.
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: sounds2k on 06 August 2006, 23:12:30
to remove the battery - disconnect the leads, lift off the fuse box, slide off the jacket (if fitted). There is a clamp at the base of the battery - held in by one bolt IIRC, you can then remove the clamp and lift the battery out (it sits under a lip on the opposite side to the clamp).

I like the look of those bulbs though, might get some for mine - seem to be about a fiver for a pair on fleabay?
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: Kev on 06 August 2006, 23:37:32
Quote
Quote
MarkJay did a 'How To' on the other site, I think.

In order to make enough room to swap a bulb on the N/S you need to either have the hand of a 2-years-old with the flexibility of a rubber hose, or chose between taking-off the battery or removing the headlamp. But looks like he somehow managed it anyway?


I usually find you can manage to squeeze your hand in ok, you just cant get it back out again.  :o

Anyway, lookin' good.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: MadOnVaux on 07 August 2006, 13:06:42
Quote
I like the look of those bulbs though, might get some for mine - seem to be about a fiver for a pair on fleabay?

 Be wary of those though...ive heard of unscrupulous rogues (read 'Scumbags') buying Amber bulbs in bulk and spraying them with mirrior tint spray, which isnt heat resistent, and thus flakes off in no time...their disclaimer is that they make no guarantee about the bulb life.
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: TheOutcast on 07 August 2006, 16:26:16
Quote
As AA said, I did this for 'the other site' some time ago...

(http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/9924/headlight12re.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)



I've not had to change any of mine yet, but that seems like a lot of work to change a bulb!  
I always carry a spare bulb kit, I didn't realise that I need a tool kit as well!
I thought I'd just push a hand in there and fiddle around until I found the clips etc. That's what I did on my old Omega.

Do you need to get the headlights realigned afterwards?

Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: Markjay on 07 August 2006, 16:52:23
Quote

Do you need to get the headlights realigned afterwards?


Good question... mine are HID so auto-levelling, don't think they need adjusting... Anyway the car has been MOTed since so whatever was needed was probably done.


Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: TheOutcast on 07 August 2006, 17:07:25
I notice that the top two screws are in slots, so, I guess, the secret is, make sure you put everything back in the same position.
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: TheOutcast on 07 August 2006, 17:28:11
This discussion has prompted me to have a look at my lights. It is very tight in there isn’t it?
According to the handbook (page 121), it’s easy to change them from left dip to right dip, when I go abroad. Hmmm!  I can’t see any levers, does that not apply to HID lights?
They certainly don’t look like the picture in the handbook.
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: Andy B on 07 August 2006, 18:08:29
Quote
.....
According to the handbook (page 121), it’s easy to change them from left dip to right dip, when I go abroad. Hmmm!  I can’t see any levers, does that not apply to HID lights? ......
Easy?!  :o Driver's side is but the passenger side needs the hands of a small child to reach the back of the lamp. I found it impossible with normal size hands without moving the battery.
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: MadOnVaux on 08 August 2006, 17:09:07
Quote
Easy?!  :o Driver's side is but the passenger side needs the hands of a small child to reach the back of the lamp.

 Or Jeremy Beadle  ;) ;D
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: Markjay on 08 August 2006, 20:07:20
Quote
Be wary of those though...ive heard of unscrupulous rogues (read 'Scumbags') buying Amber bulbs in bulk and spraying them with mirrior tint spray, which isnt heat resistent, and thus flakes off in no time...their disclaimer is that they make no guarantee about the bulb life.


I saw the Silvatec' bulbs at Halfords today - and the box does say 'Bulb life or Silvatec effect not guaranteed'. So I guess they probably do peel-off after a while... :(
Title: Re: 'Silvatec' bulbs are in.
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 09 August 2006, 08:46:23
But so do the orange ones, its a common MOT failure.

Like the look though.