Topic: Hi and Low beam at same time

[eastern]

I have installed a lower wattage LED type H4 bulb in my 74 CB550.  Very happy with this.  Bright, white light, lower voltage required.  This has me thinking of wiring up the low beam to illuminate when the High beam is selected for greater light coverage.  I have some 4 pin relays, wire and connectors.  Question, I don't see a thread on this topic but it seems like something that would have been discussed.  If so, does anyone have a link to post?

[bryanj]

Tends to overheat the bulb

[Rayzerman]

In that case, I'd convert to a good LED H4.  Plenty of good ones out there these days... all the ones I've used light up both high and low when switched to high.  Less power draw as well.  If you can find ones with a colour temperature in the 5000 range, it will be "yellower" and more like a halogen.

The LED's with external fans take up a lot of room, so get ones with internal fans..... the no fan type aren't as bright usually.

[eastern]

Ive got the LED H4 installed. Any thoughts on wiring low beam to turn on with high beam?

[PeWe]

I added auxiliary lamps on my CB750. This after very dark November rides.

I had to search for lower watt model. Found a set of 15W each on Amazon
Measured current to verify 15W-OK

There are mostly 40,60 and 90W models that look the same.

I had to grind the brackets a little to make them fit the 35mm fork.


They add a wider and longer light pattern.
Switch with wires included so I can switch on/off.  Switch on left side.

Mostly on and connected to the Hi relay this bike has got. Thicker wires from battery and own hanging fuse close to battery inside side cover.
Headlight is a H4 LED

[Deltarider]

Most likely not legal. Avoid annoyance by all means! Can cost you your neck. Outcome recent LED replacement test in Europe: the Osram Night Breaker Led Pro was the best.

[jonda500]

I have installed a lower wattage LED type H4 bulb in my 74 CB550.  Very happy with this.  Bright, white light, lower voltage required.  This has me thinking of wiring up the low beam to illuminate when the High beam is selected for greater light coverage.  I have some 4 pin relays, wire and connectors.  Question, I don't see a thread on this topic but it seems like something that would have been discussed.  If so, does anyone have a link to post?

My 500 was incorrectly wired with a later switchblock (OFF/P/ON instead of OFF/L/H) fitted when I got it, so that the low beam stayed on when switched to high beam. I didn't notice for... um years, and didn't change out the switch block to fix it for even more years, but I don't ride at night very much. Having both beams on certainly lit the road up better!
 My sealed beam had a tiny deflector piece broken off the filament rattling around inside so I have replaced that too - I don't think using both beams at once for high beam caused it though...
John

[eastern]

For what it’s worth, I have Auxito H4 LED with an E-code glass 7”.  Claimed 22w.  All (all) lights on my bike are now LED. Low is great, high could use a filling in with the low pattern.  Would be perfect.   Auxiliary is an option, but if it’s easier I’d like to try wiring the low to fire with the high first.   I have some 12v diodes on hand, suspect these may be required. 

[MauiK3]

Maybe post some photos, interesting

[eastern]

Also, I realize this may sacrifice the bulb in the experiment.  It's about $25.  As long as I don't burn the bike down with it I'll be ok.  Maybe I'll try an off the bike experiment first...  I have a spare headlight, might wire it up to a battery and see how it handles it.

[Don R]

 I had a new 73 cb500 four, I noticed that the headlight switch would light both high and low beams in the middle of the switch position, after replacing a couple of bulbs I stopped that experiment.

[eastern]

I had a new 73 cb500 four, I noticed that the headlight switch would light both high and low beams in the middle of the switch position, after replacing a couple of bulbs I stopped that experiment.

Better the bulbs than the wire I guess

I'm confident it won't work with incandescent, as you mention.  Curious about the LED though.  I might run a test off the bike to see if the bulb can handle it.  I acknowledge this is probably not the greatest idea.     But if it does work, might be glorious.  Also thinking, if the LED bulb turns out to be able to handle it... of running high and low through relays, with a diode between high and low.  Keep the double voltage out of the handlebar switch.  No cutting etc.  I'll noodle it and draw up some circuit plans.  If anyone is ahead of me on this (or already failed spectacularly!) all thoughts are welcome.

[eastern]

I had a new 73 cb500 four, I noticed that the headlight switch would light both high and low beams in the middle of the switch position, after replacing a couple of bulbs I stopped that experiment.

I did try to see if there was such a position on mine, but no dice.  It is one or the other every time.

[HondaMan]

I had a new 73 cb500 four, I noticed that the headlight switch would light both high and low beams in the middle of the switch position, after replacing a couple of bulbs I stopped that experiment.

I forgot all about that, Don: my own CB500 did that, too! I didn't 'use' it, just noticed it...

[newday777]

I had a new 73 cb500 four, I noticed that the headlight switch would light both high and low beams in the middle of the switch position, after replacing a couple of bulbs I stopped that experiment.

Better the bulbs than the wire I guess

I'm confident it won't work with incandescent, as you mention.  Curious about the LED though.  I might run a test off the bike to see if the bulb can handle it.  I acknowledge this is probably not the greatest idea.     But if it does work, might be glorious.  Also thinking, if the LED bulb turns out to be able to handle it... of running high and low through relays, with a diode between high and low.  Keep the double voltage out of the handlebar switch.  No cutting etc.  I'll noodle it and draw up some circuit plans.  If anyone is ahead of me on this (or already failed spectacularly!) all thoughts are welcome.

Incandescent bulbs have separate filaments, thus you will get brighter output using the two filaments.

LEDs use the same chips with different diodes to vary hi/low beam brightness, so your plan won't work to add brightness(lumens measurement)to the LED bulbs. You need to get a better LED bulb with higher lumen output rating for more light output of LED bulbs.