Author Topic: LED headlamp upgrade questions  (Read 6699 times)

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Offline Lostboy Steve

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Re: LED headlamp upgrade questions
« Reply #50 on: May 27, 2015, 10:50:02 AM »
All of the h4 led and HID drop ins will not work correctly with the reflector housings.
why not? 
If the HID gas bubble is of the same focal length as the halogen bulb element that came with the H4, I dont see any issues (..unless the reflector and glass are totally wrong. i.e. offroad use , UK spec, etc...)  ::)
you will get more, cleaner light in the same pattern as a halogen bulb in the housing.

I tend to agree flybox. Here's an example of why. MY 03 avalanche has separate bulbs for hi and lo beams. My lo's are 55w 4500k HIDS. MY hi's are stock halogen. When I drive through the back wooded roads the xenons (although brighter) tend to dissipate at a 25-50 yard range. The stock halogen high beams cut through and illuminate much farther ahead of me. I'm not trying to dear hunt with a bumper/grille combo and so although seemingly dim, i stick with the halogen hi's. This is the reason most hid and led setup have a projector lens.
1968 Honda Z50
1977 Honda CB550K
2018 Indian Scout

Offline flybox1

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Re: LED headlamp upgrade questions
« Reply #51 on: May 27, 2015, 11:05:57 AM »
For $20 bucks draws less watts and makes more light.  Another member has one and loves it.  Says it is much brighter than stock and uses less power.  He was having issues with his Halogen using too much juice.  Got one of thes babies and all is well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281419853101?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Those Chinese bulbs always make me nervous tho.
where do you think US sellers get them  ::) ;D
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
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"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline turboed13b

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Re: LED headlamp upgrade questions
« Reply #52 on: May 31, 2015, 07:45:09 PM »
All of the h4 led and HID drop ins will not work correctly with the reflector housings.
why not? 
If the HID gas bubble is of the same focal length as the halogen bulb element that came with the H4, I dont see any issues (..unless the reflector and glass are totally wrong. i.e. offroad use , UK spec, etc...)  ::)
you will get more, cleaner light in the same pattern as a halogen bulb in the housing.

I tend to agree flybox. Here's an example of why. MY 03 avalanche has separate bulbs for hi and lo beams. My lo's are 55w 4500k HIDS. MY hi's are stock halogen. When I drive through the back wooded roads the xenons (although brighter) tend to dissipate at a 25-50 yard range. The stock halogen high beams cut through and illuminate much farther ahead of me. I'm not trying to dear hunt with a bumper/grille combo and so although seemingly dim, i stick with the halogen hi's. This is the reason most hid and led setup have a projector lens.

You just agreed with me that they don't work well in reflector housings. I don't have the time to explain all of the details why the dimmer halogen seems like it cuts further ahead but the basics come down to hid capsules are impossible to line up with the focal point of a halogen. Putting the hid in a reflector always cause heavy foreground light which constricts your pupils. An easy test is put your hand up a little bit below your eyes while driving and you will notice you can magically see further.

Also high beams are suppose to illuminate the distance so comparing a low beam and high beam is apples to oranges.


« Last Edit: May 31, 2015, 07:47:27 PM by turboed13b »

Offline Rgconner

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Re: LED headlamp upgrade questions
« Reply #53 on: June 01, 2015, 09:07:50 AM »
For $20 bucks draws less watts and makes more light.  Another member has one and loves it.  Says it is much brighter than stock and uses less power.  He was having issues with his Halogen using too much juice.  Got one of thes babies and all is well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281419853101?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Those Chinese bulbs always make me nervous tho.
where do you think US sellers get them  ::) ;D

http://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/

for a higher quality unit, use the 3800 Lumen unit, better pattern for street.

ADV gets you a discount. I bought their unit for the BMW 700Gs because it is a long term investment.

See attached for a 75 CB550 with the Chinese unit mentioned above, perfect for not riding the bike as an only bike.

At idle, I will either slightly discharge or slightly charge even with the lights on.

1975 CB550K aka "Grease Monkey"

Offline Rgconner

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Re: LED headlamp upgrade questions
« Reply #54 on: June 01, 2015, 09:10:24 AM »
BTW, it lights up signs as far as the eye can see, and will cast shadows from a car next to you.

Adjusted properly, I have not had any complaints, including riding behind a CHP officer for about 2 miles.

During the day it STILL lights up signs if you are close enough, and definitely more visible over the stock light.

No comparison to HID, the LED is a #$%*ing blow torch.

Unlike a HID, it is much more tolerant of voltage swings when the alternator kicks on and off. My HID liked to switch off when the alternator went to low and the voltage dropped.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2015, 09:12:37 AM by Rgconner »
1975 CB550K aka "Grease Monkey"

Offline flybox1

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Re: LED headlamp upgrade questions
« Reply #55 on: June 01, 2015, 09:58:28 AM »
Unlike a HID, it is much more tolerant of voltage swings when the alternator kicks on and off. My HID liked to switch off when the alternator went to low and the voltage dropped.
Not advocating HID, just passing on info for those running HID.  If ^^^ happens to you, a relay can be run to power the HID right off your battery.  No more flickering or switching off.  I built one like this for about $8, ignoring the wiring for the second ballast.
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"