The reason for the updated lamp assemblies (with the factory drilled vent
holes) IS to correct the issue with the seals. Road vibration, hot/cold
weather, and debris hitting the lamps is all a contributing factor in the
seals going bad. All it takes is one small crack and there it all goes.
So...to compensate for this issue, factory holes were put into the headlamp
assemblies. That's a fix...not a bandaid. You can use whatever sealer you
want, but if there's a crack, it's toast.
- Bernd
-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Cropp [mailto:hskr@cox.net]
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 5:26 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: RE: DML: Wet Lights
You're getting too wrapped around having to be right and not seeing my
point. Yes the vent hole works exactly as you describe, but, and this is a
BIG BUT, drilling a vent hole in the headlight does not FIX the original
problem. It just provides a means of allowing the water vapors, that
shouldn't be in the light in the first place, to escape. If you actually
FIX the original problem of a bad seal somewhere allowing moisture in, then
you don't need to drill a hole in your headlight assembly. Most commonly
the bad seal is going to be the rubber seal on the bulb itself cracking from
age, or the sealant used to hold the lens to the reflector cracking with
age. Or in the case of new aftermarket headlamps, the sealant on the lens
not fully sealing it in the first place.
--- "Bernd D. Ratsch" <bernd@dodgetrucks.org> wrote:
>
> The reason for the vent is to help dry the moisture inside. If the
> seal is bad...and too much moisture gets into the lamp assembly, the
> vent won't work (duh). :)
>
> There will always be some sort of leak as the headlamps don't seal
> properly anyway.
>
> - Bernd
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brian Cropp [mailto:hskr@cox.net]
> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 4:44 PM
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> Subject: RE: DML: Wet Lights
>
>
> So do you know what type of vehicle his wife drives?
>
> I had a set of aftermarket headlights that had vent holes in them and
> they still got condensation and water inside because the seal around
> the lens was bad.
> Re-sealed the lense and no more condensation.
>
> And the vent you told him to do doesn't fix the original reason of why
> there was condensation inside the headlight. The fix is to dry it out
> and re-seal it. Your "vent" just gives a path of escape for the water
> vapors that shouldn't be in it in the first place.
>
> --- "Bernd D. Ratsch" <bernd@dodgetrucks.org> wrote:
>
> >
> > The vent does fix the problem. Over time, most
> all lights leak at the
> > seal (can't avoid that) - so put a vent in it and
> prevent any
> > condensation build-up from prematurely
> deteriorating the seal. I
> > offered a fix to the problem.
> >
> > - Bernd
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Brian Cropp [mailto:hskr@cox.net]
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:14 PM
> > To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> > Subject: RE: DML: Wet Lights
> >
> >
> > Yeah, fix the bad seal and fix the problem instead
> of putting another
> > hole in the headlight. You have to remove them to
> do either one.
> > That's what i was suggesting. You offered a
> bandaid to a problem, but
> > it doesn't "fix" the problem.
> >
> > --- "Bernd D. Ratsch" <bernd@dodgetrucks.org>
> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Funny....fixes the ones we've done here. The
> condensation comes in
> > > from a poor seal around the lens area. Without
> proper
> > > ventilation...they build up condensation in the
> lamp housing. The
> > > updated
> > lamp
> > > housings come with a
> > > hole and vent tube already built in to fix this
> issue.
> > >
> > > - Bernd
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Brian Cropp [mailto:hskr@cox.net]
> > > Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:50 AM
> > > To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> > > Subject: Re: DML: Wet Lights
> > >
> > >
> > > I wouldn't drill a hole in my headlights
> > personally.
> > >
> > > There is obviously condensation getting in from
> somewhere and
> > > putting another hole in them isn't going to help
> fix the problem.
> > > Take th headlights off, remove the bulbs, and
> leave them
> > set
> > > inside overnight, or
> > > you can use the hair dryer as Bernd suggested.
> > > Once they are dry inside, run a bead of clear
> RTV sealant around the
> > > seam where the lens is attached to the
> reflector. Then check the
> > > seals on the bubs themselves to make sure they
> aren't cracked
> > or
> > > damaged, replace as
> > > necessary. Then put them back on the car.
> > >
> > > --- David Henry <DML@HenryWeb.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > > The hazy light thing got me thinkin... Need to
> > > clean up the lenses in
> > > > the Dak once it warms up.
> > > >
> > > > Is there an easy cure for getting rid of water
> > > [condensation] in the
> > > > plastic lens housing? Dak is fine, but the
> > > wifemobile seems to have
> > > > frozen water on the inside...
> > > >
> > > > -- David 94 CC Sport 4x4, 318, 5spd, Lifted
> with
> > > 33"
> > > > BFG MT's
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
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