led head light

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rob carter

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After changing the head light lamp on my 1971 commando 750 to a tungsten halogen one,i found that my indicators are not working properly
when the head light is on.They are ok with no headlight.I would imagine this has caused a volt drop ,and there is insufficient voltage getting to my indicators when the head light is on.
could I try an LED lamp ,and if so has anyone the link to a supplier.

Rob Carter Western Australia
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-Philips-160 ... SwEjFXfzXE

This is the one I just bought. The designer took care to put the LEDs in just the same place as the H4 bulb and it chops off the low beam in a straight line. This one lights the low beam and high beam separately. It draws 1.68 amps and I doubt the 8000 lumins figure. But it probably does have over 3000. My other one drew 3 amps and did not have nearly as focused of a beam. Also, this one is shorter and does not have a fan so I like it better.
 
Sound like you are treating the symptoms not the cause. You could try fitting a small digital voltmeter across the battery and see what is happening to the volts with the headlight on. Two small relays in the headlight feed will avoid losing volts to the headlight via the ignition switch, light switch, dip switch and several connectors. At cruising speed you should see 14volts going into the battery. Consider also, a decent indicator relay that maintains flash rate at lower volts.
My experience of LED headlight bulbs is that they light up everything except what you want to see. ie. directly in front of you.
 
rob carter said:
After changing the head light lamp on my 1971 commando 750 to a tungsten halogen one,i found that my indicators are not working properly
when the head light is on.They are ok with no headlight.I would imagine this has caused a volt drop ,and there is insufficient voltage getting to my indicators when the head light is on.
could I try an LED lamp ,and if so has anyone the link to a supplier.

Rob Carter Western Australia
Click to expand...

You could switch to an electronic flasher and that should get your blinkers to work, but that won't solve your bigger problem. Judging by your description it sounds like you are not getting enough power to your system or you have a big voltage drop in your wiring or possibly a weak battery. Using relays to power the headlight is also a good idea, I saw a big increase in brightness on my other bike when I installed them , plus it reduces the strain on the switch contacts I use an LED bulb in my headlight but as noted by another member most do not seem to work well at night, unless you have a complete assembly like the Nighthawk. I don't drive at night so I'm happy with how noticeable the LED is during the daylight hours especially with the high beam on.
Pete
 
My experience of LED headlight bulbs is that they light up everything except what you want to see. ie. directly in front of you.
Click to expand...

Correct but that makes them a perfect daytime light as you need the people coming in from the side junctions to notice you, useless after dark as you say.
 
kommando said:
My experience of LED headlight bulbs is that they light up everything except what you want to see. ie. directly in front of you.
Click to expand...

Correct but that makes them a perfect daytime light as you need the people coming in from the side junctions to notice you, useless after dark as you say.
Click to expand...

I put an LED headlamp on my trident last year and have not found any problems with visibility in fact I think it is the dogs chankers. Couldn't give two hoots what anyone else thinks cos it's me that's riding it at night!


Jg
 
auldblue said:
kommando said:
My experience of LED headlight bulbs is that they light up everything except what you want to see. ie. directly in front of you.
Click to expand...

Correct but that makes them a perfect daytime light as you need the people coming in from the side junctions to notice you, useless after dark as you say.
Click to expand...

I put an LED headlamp on my trident last year and have not found any problems with visibility in fact I think it is the dogs chankers. Couldn't give two hoots what anyone else thinks cos it's me that's riding it at night!


Jg
Click to expand...

Which one did you use Jimmy?
 
led head light


Got it from classic Dynamo repairs , can't remember what it cost but it does my job.

Jg
 
gripper said:
Sound like you are treating the symptoms not the cause. You could try fitting a small digital voltmeter across the battery and see what is happening to the volts with the headlight on. Two small relays in the headlight feed will avoid losing volts to the headlight via the ignition switch, light switch, dip switch and several connectors. At cruising speed you should see 14volts going into the battery. Consider also, a decent indicator relay that maintains flash rate at lower volts.
My experience of LED headlight bulbs is that they light up everything except what you want to see. ie. directly in front of you.
Click to expand...

+1
I think you have a wiring issue. The relays a good idea, Eastern Beaver makes a very nice positive ground relay harness for $53, http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Wiring_Ki ... html#h4POS
I have the harness, well made, and it also takes the current load away from passing thru the ignition switch.
 
auldblue said:
kommando said:
My experience of LED headlight bulbs is that they light up everything except what you want to see. ie. directly in front of you.
Click to expand...

Correct but that makes them a perfect daytime light as you need the people coming in from the side junctions to notice you, useless after dark as you say.
Click to expand...

I put an LED headlamp on my trident last year and have not found any problems with visibility in fact I think it is the dogs chankers. Couldn't give two hoots what anyone else thinks cos it's me that's riding it at night!


Jg
Click to expand...

Would have to agree with you on that one, have them fitted to all my vehicle's, proper whole headlight assembly not just a bulb replacement, and the difference is now so noticeable I hate driving any thing with std lights

As for the original poster try a truck outlet supplier for a trucklite headlight
 
motorson said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-Philips-160W-16000LM-H4-9003-HB2-LED-Headlight-Kit-High-Low-Beam-Bulbs-6000K-/322081255932?hash=item4afd89f1fc:g:NBQAAOSwEjFXfzXE

This is the one I just bought. The designer took care to put the LEDs in just the same place as the H4 bulb and it chops off the low beam in a straight line. This one lights the low beam and high beam separately. It draws 1.68 amps and I doubt the 8000 lumins figure. But it probably does have over 3000. My other one drew 3 amps and did not have nearly as focused of a beam. Also, this one is shorter and does not have a fan so I like it better.
Click to expand...


I recently purchased a similar if not the same bulb for my commando. I tested the bulb dangling off the front of the bike to see how hot the heat sink got and after 20 min it was too hot to hold. My headlight is packed full with electrical connections (not stock setup) and there would be no way to keep the wires from touching the unit. I concluded it was too hot and would melt or at least make the wires crispy in time. Are you not having problems with the heat?
 
auldblue said:
led head light


Got it from classic Dynamo repairs , can't remember what it cost but it does my job.

Jg
Click to expand...
I ordered one of those, haven't received it yet. How dose the luminescence compare to stock?
 
Rob

Another take on this is to change most bulbs to LEDs, e.g. pilot light, rear/brake, speedo and tacho (& indicators if you have them) to 'free up' watts for the headlight.
I'd add that I just use the pilot light (with LED bulb) for daytime running. I am able to run a halogen headlight bulb (60/55W) ok with this LED (except the headlight) setup at night on my 1972 Roadster although I don't have indicators.

How good the headlight needs to be does depend how much you ride at night and the road and traffic conditions. The standard bulb is okay on our little used country roads at night.

This chap in the UK has supplied LED bulbs and other bits and pieces for some time:
http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffyWhyNotLEDs.htm
He has usually been anti LED headlight bulbs but has recently added an H4 LED that is similar to the bulb in the link included by motorson - although it's likely to be the 'drive on the left, dip to the left' version you'd need in Aus. I think this would also require a change of lens to an H4 type from the standard pre-focus one.

Andy
 
Better than my old headlight by far, as far is heat is concerned my headlight is full of wires also and to be perfectly honest I was only using my headlight for about 3 1/2 hours and it was in the shell, I wasn't using it hand held so I didn't notice any smell of burning. In fairness the LED for my commando is a far more complex and bulky thing but it throws a good light also. The condition of the lamp reflector I think has a fair contribution to the brightness.


Jg
 
motorson wrote:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-Philips-160 ... SwEjFXfzXE

This is the one I just bought. The designer took care to put the LEDs in just the same place as the H4 bulb and it chops off the low beam in a straight line. This one lights the low beam and high beam separately. It draws 1.68 amps and I doubt the 8000 lumins figure. But it probably does have over 3000. My other one drew 3 amps and did not have nearly as focused of a beam. Also, this one is shorter and does not have a fan so I like it better.
Click to expand...

Roadrash wrote: I recently purchased a similar if not the same bulb for my commando. I tested the bulb dangling off the front of the bike to see how hot the heat sink got and after 20 min it was too hot to hold. My headlight is packed full with electrical connections (not stock setup) and there would be no way to keep the wires from touching the unit. I concluded it was too hot and would melt or at least make the wires crispy in time. Are you not having problems with the heat?
Click to expand...

I'll have to check the temperature on mine. The other one listed here on the
http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffyWhyNotLEDs.htm
site is the exact same idea but only has 3 LEDs in each row where the bulb I got has 4 so maybe the Lumens are over 4000. :)
 
All good, I reduced the wattage of my halogen lamp and put a new battery in. Thanks for all the advice

Rob Carter
 
These look like they are Trucklite knock-offs. Might be worth a shot. If I didn't have some other items on my (never ending) shopping list ..........
 
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