Sealed Beam Headlights
Headlights are crucial aspects of a vehicle's safety and performance, illuminating the path ahead and ensuring maximum visibility for the driver at night, and during less than ideal conditions. There are various types of headlights available, including LED headlights, rotating headlights, multicolored headlights, and sealed beam headlights. A sealed beam headlight includes all of the main components of a headlight within a single part, including a lamp which has an integrated reflector and filament attached to the main fixture. Thus, unlike headlights used in the past, sealed beam headlights are a single centralized device rather than three separate pieces. Before the advent of these headlights, automobile headlights utilized separate bulbs and reflectors, however this proved to be inefficient for production and installation, so sealed beam headlights were invented. The following information discusses the main benefits, various types, installation, and typical costs of sealed beam headlights.
Benefits of Sealed Beam Headlights
By consolidating the entire headlight into a single device, installation and operating procedures are simplified significantly. Rather than having to install each component of a conventional headlight individually, a vehicle owner can simply install sealed beam headlights, thereby saving immeasurable time and frustration. If the headlights need to be replaced, the vehicle owner will not have to shop for separate parts or individual pieces to a headlight; instead they can simply purchase another set of sealed beam headlights and perform a single installation. Because of these obvious advantages, sealed beam headlights have been the predominant type of headlight used on automobiles since the 1940s. In fact, sealed beam headlights have been mandatory in the United States and many other countries since 1984. Sealed beam headlights are considered to be more safe than classical headlights because when they are replaced and/or installed the vehicle owner can be sure that every component of the headlight is brand-new and functioning properly.
Types and Costs of Sealed Beam Headlights
The cost of a pair of sealed beam headlights varies depending on the type, feature set, vehicle compatibility, manufacturer, and distributor, with typical prices ranging from $10-$100. The main differences between the types of sealed beam headlights available are the amounts of volts and watts that are used to illuminate the bulb, the type of bulb used, and the type of terminals used within the bulb casing. Some retailers sell sealed beam headlights individually, while others sell more expensive all-inclusive kits that include installation instructions and several sealed beam headlights. Fortunately, sealed beam headlights are not very heavy, so shipping and handling costs are usually nominal. Sealed beam headlights that are distributed by the vehicle's original manufacturer, which are intended to be used with a specific vehicle model, are usually more expensive than OEM (original equipment manufacturer) sealed beam headlights.
Installing Sealed Beam Headlights
Installing sealed beam headlights is relatively simple in comparison to installing classic headlights that have multiple parts. The process usually involves removing the original headlight cover using a screwdriver, while being careful not to remove the aim adjustments cruise, which usually longer and bigger than the screws which hold the cover in place. Next, the connector is detached and the headlight bulb is removed by gently wiggling it and pulling it directly away from the bulb. After the old headlights have been removed, a new pair of sealed beam headlights can be installed, granted they are compatible with the vehicle. Installing the sealed beam headlights is a simple as reversing the aforementioned process of removing the old ones, and there are no additional steps required. It is important to note, however, that the clips that hold the bulb in place should be secured adequately, and the direction of the bulbs should be adjusted to provide optimal lighting.
