"Packaging" xenon / projector headlamp for transport.

egremont · 12th December 2013, 07:24

From time to time, I read where forum members list xenon / projector lamps for sale. Most times the sale is offered on a "collection only" basis.
As I learned from previous experience, the "membrane" can become detached from the thick projector lens - necessitating repairs by a specialist.

I am attaching some photos that show how a new headlamp was prepared for shipping to me - over a distance of 10,000 plus miles. The frame / support holding the projector lens had been held firm by a plastic tie. The tie was looped under the support frame and held rearwards firmly by that tie being placed under a supporting bridge - in this case a plastic stem.

I hope this may enable headlamps to be transported when prepped in this manner. I have also included a photo of a repaired lug - it having been welded back in place.

I have not attempted to attach photos to my posts, and hope that this attempt is successful.

egremont.

pab · 12th December 2013, 07:37

I've seen this method of support before, was it on eBay from a seller listing new lamps for about 200 GBP

I've tried many times to post or even courier Xenon lamps, the ratio of one in ten the lens becomes detached from the ball and socket joint. I've tried many ways to package the item, over sized boxes, yards of bubble wrap, but this method you have pictured seems to be the most secure.

I'm going to fabricate something similar for the future.

egremont · 12th December 2013, 10:46

I came across them whilst looking at a Range Rover / Land Rover parts supplier's listing.

The lamps had been packaged and sealed up by the manufacturer, Depo of Taiwan. They had not been opened by the U.K. dealer. Quite possibly on the eBay, but they sent me an invoice for payment. I purchased these, partly out of frustration with some xenons that I bought through this forum - became my Concorde Syndrome, as many parts needed replacing - and when do you draw the line on all the costs.
The local ace headlamp restorer welded a lug back onto the body. They tell me that Depo supply headlamps etc. to some European and Japanese manufacturers. They consider the quality of these after- market lamps to be good.
I think this (preventative) style of packaging i.e. using plastic ties to hold the projectors firmly in place is proven, bearing in mind that my lamps were shipped from their Taiwan factory to the U.K., and thence to Australia.
The main difference to the original is that the front surrounds are black (like those fitted to the MG ZT) whereas the 75's were chromed - I think.

Pab - Your real wood fascia still looks great. Thanks.

egremont.

pab · 12th December 2013, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by egremont

Pab - Your real wood fascia still looks great. Thanks.

egremont.

I knew you would like it, it's a real beauty. If I recall correctly the shipping charge was very close to the price of the dash. It's the biggest item I've shipped to Oz, and I filled in a customs declaration so it wouldn't be interfered with.

The lamps would be very expensive to be shipped, and over thousands of miles the risk of the lenses becoming detached were odds on. I'm glad you managed to get a set over there in one piece.

I'm going to have a practice at making a couple of transit brackets up, thanks for the images.

12th December 2013, 07:37	#2
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	I've seen this method of support before, was it on eBay from a seller listing new lamps for about 200 GBP I've tried many times to post or even courier Xenon lamps, the ratio of one in ten the lens becomes detached from the ball and socket joint. I've tried many ways to package the item, over sized boxes, yards of bubble wrap, but this method you have pictured seems to be the most secure. I'm going to fabricate something similar for the future.

12th December 2013, 10:46	#3
egremont Loves to post Rover 75 Connoisseur SE. Auto. Saloon. SE Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 458 Thanks: 163 Thanked 198 Times in 70 Posts	I came across them whilst looking at a Range Rover / Land Rover parts supplier's listing. The lamps had been packaged and sealed up by the manufacturer, Depo of Taiwan. They had not been opened by the U.K. dealer. Quite possibly on the eBay, but they sent me an invoice for payment. I purchased these, partly out of frustration with some xenons that I bought through this forum - became my Concorde Syndrome, as many parts needed replacing - and when do you draw the line on all the costs. The local ace headlamp restorer welded a lug back onto the body. They tell me that Depo supply headlamps etc. to some European and Japanese manufacturers. They consider the quality of these after- market lamps to be good. I think this (preventative) style of packaging i.e. using plastic ties to hold the projectors firmly in place is proven, bearing in mind that my lamps were shipped from their Taiwan factory to the U.K., and thence to Australia. The main difference to the original is that the front surrounds are black (like those fitted to the MG ZT) whereas the 75's were chromed - I think. Pab - Your real wood fascia still looks great. Thanks. egremont.