Hella headlights(c.2003) UK - Continental adjustment

[nicholsong]

I have an N&B Arto69GL(2003)

I have read about the adjustment of these headlights and from memory the process is as follows:-

[All references are looking from rear forwards. I know it is difficult to see directly]

There are two 'locking' screws at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock holding the unit in place. These have to be loosened.

There is a third 'locating' screw at 12 o'clock which has to be removed completely.

The unit then has to be twisted to change the beam. I cannot remember if, for UK to Continental, this should be clockwise or anti-clockwise. Getting it right would make it easier to locate the top screw in the only other hole.

Having located that screw it should be tightened, and finally the locking screws should be tightened.

If I have the procedure correct I only need help with the twist, please.

Thanks in advance.

Geoff

 

[funflair]

Hi Geoff

You need to lift them from the base quite a way to turn them in my experience, I just happened to be looking at the back of ours a couple of days ago, these are a LHD unit set for UK driving so I would rotate CCW looking from behind for continental driving.

Hold a bit of board in front of the light and you will see what you have set at now,

Martin

 

[nicholsong]

Martin thanks.

I seemed to remember CCW to go to Continental but was not sure.

Are those screwheads Torx? if so thats a problem as I have hex mini-sockets but only torx screwdrivers and there is not much space.

Geoff

 

[Wagoneer]

My screw heads are Philips crosshead from what I remember (circa 2009). Certainly don't remember using a torx.

Looking from the rear of the lamp, clockwise for UK setting and anticlockwise for continental.

As mentioned the two lower screws need to be unscrewed sufficiently to allow the bulb housing to be withdrawn enough to be rotated. Confirm the top screw needs removing completely and reinstalled in the alternative hole after adjustment.

On the continental setting you'll end up with a flat beam with no kick-up (this assumes your Hella lamp is to UK spec). Obviously if the vehicle was imported with continental spec lamps the reverse will apply. Best to check the beam pattern at the outset.

 

[autorouter]

The beam is a kind of flat vee-shape. One bit is horizontal, the other bit slopes upward from the centre.

In the UK, the right side is horizontal, and the left side slopes upward. In Europe, the left side is horizontal and the right side slopes upward. Looking from the back, If it's set to UK, rotate anticlockwise to lower the left side and raise the right side, for driving in Europe.

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[funflair]

Martin thanks.

I seemed to remember CCW to go to Continental but was not sure.

Are those screwheads Torx? if so thats a problem as I have hex mini-sockets but only torx screwdrivers and there is not much space.

Geoff

Most likely cross head screws on Arto Geoff, the Flair was, you need a MORELO to have the hassle of torx

 

[Wagoneer]

The beam is a kind of flat vee-shape. One bit is horizontal, the other bit slopes upward from the centre.

In the UK, the right side is horizontal, and the left side slopes upward. In Europe, the left side is horizontal and the right side slopes upward. Looking from the back, If it's set to UK, rotate anticlockwise to lower the left side and raise the right side, for driving in Europe.

That's a very easy to understand and easy to remember description, thanks.

However, if going from a UK spec lamp (with kickup to the left) I believe you end up with a flat beam for continental use. If going from a continental spec lamp (with kickup to the right) I believe you end with a flat beam for UK use.

I set my lamps to flat beam for use in both UK and mainland Europe. It passes MOT every year. Driving at night with this setup is a tad more difficult but avoid night-driving whenever possible. The 90mm Hella lamps aren't the most efficient at the best of times

 

[nicholsong]

My Arto is UK spec.

Thanks for all the useful replies. incl. Martin for saying the screws are crosshead not his poncy Morelo torx ones.

And thanks also for confirming my memory is still OK.

Geoff

[Also it is good to find some posters who do not take a thread off-topic or into politics]