Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

[abhijeet080808]

Hi Abhi, long time

Currently he's running with a 5AH battery with this load, so the charging rates should be higher to take care of frying the battery, so I guess there's a scope for battery upgradation to 9AH if there is space and it will definitely give more back than now.That should be almost double of the present backup. What say? But finding extra slot for a 9AH will be a pain as it may affect the looks badly.

Yeah, long time! Hope you are doing fine.

The battery will help, but more than that a rewinding is needed.

Battery helps in case like mine - coil supports 2 HIDs at above 3k, but the puny 3.5 Ah battery is a joke. How the starter works is a miracle.

But, in this case I guess FZ will not support 100W at anything less than 5k, and then FZ is not a high revving bike. So, the battery can only help so much.

[sajjt]

Hi Sajit,

Little correction I'm not going to use HID when I'm going to operate the Fog Lamps. I switch off the HID & use Fog Lamp only.

So it becomes less than 130W since I have LED tail lamp & indicators. I know it is not the best but saving of odd 40W will be better?

Again, then it will become 10.8Ah or less than that.

Reducing to one may not serve the purpose since it has tempered glass & if use only one then it might not serve the purpose. Anyway I'll work on your suggestion of RPM this week end drive & see. Yep I'm not using fog lamps when there is sufficient light available or when the HID headlamp is enough, I' use them only when it is difficult to see with headlamp.

That is obvious. But again I'm not going to operate the HID Headlamp when I'm going to use Fog Lamps. But anyway installing HIDs in fog lamps is out of question, at least for now.

Thanks will discuss in detail...

Thanks you'll have a call tonight.

I still dont understand how come the Micro De is limiting the views with one, if thats the case, I would say ur investment was a futile one . I don't've any experiences with Micro De. Instead, I would invest on some driving lamps as auxilary which will give you a better beam throw for distant visibility. Yes it cant be replaced with a fog. But I would look for an all time performer like the Hella aux lamps. Its got a peircing pencil beams in Comet series and if u take the C200, with the stock wattage (55W) its too powerful and will command respect from all kinds of reckless morons. Next month or so, I may go for one for my car as these high beam riding A$$ **** are testing my patience and risking others lives.

I would say go for HID on one of ur Mirco De, so that u'll get more output without loading on the battery and am sure that you will be more happier than on 2X55W Halos.

55X2=110W/12=9A, theoritically but in reality it will cross 12A depends on the brand you are using.

If u go for HID, it will sip only 3.5A max and just compare how much will be ur savings by doing so.

[pankajshirke]

Hi sir, Guess Philips Extreme is compatible,Many are using it. Coming to the battery,I don't do any other mods,everything is stock and its clearly mentioned in the battery manual that battery needs exactly 14.20 Volts for recharging,I had checked it with the amaron dealer ,My karizma produces 14.33V,which is enough for charging the battery.Not sure whether it will fit in FZ-S,Mainly the battery is 3.2Kg and tooks up a lot space.Whcih is your current battery?Hope these helps you.

Aneesh
I think that Karizma will be able to take the load of 60/55 watts bulb easily without any modifications
Because it has all its electricals on DC
Philips Xtreme power is good in 60/55 watts.
Thought philips say it gives 80% more light but they have compared with an incandescant bulb hence as compared to Halogen bulbs,Xtreme power gives 20 to 25% more light
But Xtreme power is good for fog and rainy conditions
Osram Nightbreaker is good when it is summer season when no fog and no rain.But in Indian conditions it does not suits
Also in Halogen bulbs of 60/55 I prefer Mico/Bosch because you can purchase these bulbs from Bosch outlets in city which are genuine
Whereas for Philips/Halonix/Osram there may be chances of lot of fake bulbs which might fuse anytime.
And yes while asking these dealers,always tell that you want bulbs for some car like Zen/Omni/Alto/Tata Ace etc
Because 60/55 watts bulbs are not available with any bike spare shops(Except for Avenger/Bullet 350/500) and if you tell the person in spares shop of cars for a 60/55 watts bulb you have to fit to a bike, he will not give you that bulb.

Also one more thing
Tata Ace headlight reflectors also fit properly in a Pulsar Headlight rim hence you have many options now(Omni/Ambassador/Mahindra Jeeps/Bullet/Tata Ace reflectors).
Out of these 5 reflectors,Omni reflector supports 60/55 watts bulb having p45t which is of slightly older kind of bulb.
Whereas for new type of Halogen bulbs that is P43T Tata Ace and Bullet reflectors support it.I dont know of Mahindra jeep reflectors because I have not used them but their size is 7 inch which can be fitted on pulsar rim.
Practically I have seen that
For Philips Xtreme power,Tata Ace reflectors are good.They have good focus
Bullet reflectors shows good results with Bosch 60/55 Watts and Xtreme power bulb(With Bullet assembly costing 600 rupees,you will get a Halonix 60/55 watts bulb)

Maruti Omni reflector is the brightest but it supports only P45t type bulb hence Philips Xtreme power bulb wont fit to it.In this case you have two options
1)Incandescant bulb of 45/40 watts from Maruti Service center of Philips make(Basically Caliber also has this bulb but now you dont get Philips bulb for Caliber.You get bulbs like Ravi Gold,Rakesh etc in 45/40 watts for caliber)
2) Philips Premium P45T 60/55w bulb but from a trusted and good dealer who has genuine material

But I have seen that this 45/40 watts bulb with Omni reflector gives amazing bright beam quality
The only drawback of Omni reflector as compared with Mahindra/Ambassador/Bullet/Tata Ace is that Omni reflectors have thin lens in front so it is delicate hence even if a small touch of any vehicle may break that reflectors.It is very delicate but brightest one.
Second best is Tata Ace which is equally bright as Omni and its lens is hard plus it supports new type halogen bulbs.
Third is Bullet/Mahindra/Ambassador reflectors(Basically this reflectors is common in these vehicles.Mahindra uses 7 inch Minda reflector which is used by new Bullet classic as well as Ambassador).

[Naveed Khan]

Can anyone suggest me best lights for R15?

ok guys, a lil help please, after reading a lot being said very highly of OSRAM Nightbreakers i went to the 2 wheeler market and 4 wheeler market @ Opera House mumbai to track down these bulbs.. but they were nowhere to be found. Infact there were no 60/55 (correct?) ones to be found.. all that everyone had was the 100/90 which i didnt pick up coz i was not sure for the compatibility into my p200.

Does anyone know where to get these bulbs here? some of the shops said OSRAM stopped making them and Philips are not too common in the market for the 2 wheeler specs.. not to mention the Philips vision plus were only available in a pair and were priced @ 1300/-

Can anyone suggest me best lights for R15?

[Naveed Khan]

Can Anyone suggest lights for R15

[abhijitkn]

Re:Still in dilemma...

I still dont understand how come the Micro De is limiting the views with one, if thats the case.

Hi Sajit,
Micro DE lamps have a cut-off due to the projector design. As shown in your diagrams. But I think the spread shown is for twin not for single. The beam spread is conical shape & it is so sharp that you can easily make out (not good for cornering). Also the depth of throw/reach is limited, in fact stock headlamp has more throw. I'm not saying single fog lamp will not be of use, but I'm happy with 2 rather than one. I need to get the light intensity meter to read the intensity or I'll measure on my DSLR, it will be a vague method but still you can make out the difference, I didn't get much time to go on a long ride with fog lamps but will do it soon & post the battery voltage reading along with some snaps.
I'm happy with HID what I have for driving, only in case when it is not sufficient I'll switch it off & start the Fog Lamps. Till now no issues. & I'm quite satisfied.
There were few other options like Luminator X Xenon or Dyna View Evo 2 but I was not sure abt the feasibility hence dropped the idea.

Hi Abhi, long time
Currently he's running with a 5AH battery with this load, so the charging rates should be higher to take care of frying the battery, so I guess there's a scope for battery upgradation to 9AH if there is space and it will definitely give more back than now.That should be almost double of the present backup. What say? But finding extra slot for a 9AH will be a pain as it may affect the looks badly.

You mean to say, upgrade the stock 5Ah battery to 9Ah battery without rewinding?

[Shreeni0403]

Sajan bro,
Micro DE works more like a projector. So the distance vision is blocked. It will not glare the on coming vehicles also which will not solve your purpose .

I would say combination of Micro DE with a Comet series would be great but at a bigger price.

For me low beam is never a concern, for the high beam I want more more and more

[sajjt]

Hi Sajit,
Micro DE lamps have a cut-off due to the projector design. As shown in your diagrams. But I think the spread shown is for twin not for single. The beam spread is conical shape & it is so sharp that you can easily make out (not good for cornering). Also the depth of throw/reach is limited, in fact stock headlamp has more throw. I'm not saying single fog lamp will not be of use, but I'm happy with 2 rather than one. I need to get the light intensity meter to read the intensity or I'll measure on my DSLR, it will be a vague method but still you can make out the difference, I didn't get much time to go on a long ride with fog lamps but will do it soon & post the battery voltage reading along with some snaps.
I'm happy with HID what I have for driving, only in case when it is not sufficient I'll switch it off & start the Fog Lamps. Till now no issues. & I'm quite satisfied.

There were few other options like Luminator X Xenon or Dyna View Evo 2 but I was not sure abt the feasibility hence dropped the idea.

You mean to say, upgrade the stock 5Ah battery to 9Ah battery without rewinding?

Abhi, you've got Micro De fog hence its distant visibility is limited. Even if you use twin too will it improve the distant vision? No it wont, it will just light up more surroundings and it may help you in cornering. What I suggest you is convert one of it to HID so that it will contribute the 2X55W illumination with less power consumption. But if u need distant visibility, you need to have a driving light not the fog lamp.

One more suggestion, try to fix the lamp on some where centrally and adjust the level accordingly so that it can throw the light more evenly than on crash guards.

Your bike will support even if u go for a 20AH battery the only concern is where will you accomodate it

The beam spread pic is from Hella, and its from one unit as the representations are taken as single as a rule of thumb.

Can u post some pics of the beam spread?

Sajan bro,
Micro DE works more like a projector. So the distance vision is blocked. It will not glare the on coming vehicles also which will not solve your purpose .

I would say combination of Micro DE with a Comet series would be great but at a bigger price.

For me low beam is never a concern, for the high beam I want more more and more

Hi Shree,

thanks for the update, but I guess u r few years late in doing so

Comet will be the best add on lamps and its too good for distant visibility, of course you need to pay for the premium.

Good things never come cheap man

You are always been on the extreme side man, I strongly doubt about your eyes as nothing is enough for you.

Is that only for eyes or everything? then its a different and difficult thing

[abhijitkn]

Re:Still in dilemma...

Abhi, you've got Micro De fog hence its distant visibility is limited. Even if you use twin too will it improve the distant vision? No it wont, it will just light up more surroundings and it may help you in cornering. What I suggest you is convert one of it to HID so that it will contribute the 2X55W illumination with less power consumption. But if u need distant visibility, you need to have a driving light not the fog lamp.
One more suggestion, try to fix the lamp on some where centrally and adjust the level accordingly so that it can throw the light more evenly than on crash guards.

Hi Sajit,
Yes you are right, but these are not good for the cornering too. Since the lights cuts across the corners. The design of the projector is such a way that the light is very much centered. Mounting the fog lamps on the fork is always in my mind but need some help which I'm unable to find it here. I know many in Mumbai so planning to go to Mumbai then will put it up on forks near the head light.
Yes, converting halogen to HID is a good option but will not try it now may be next year since it is not a straight fit, fear of damaging internal casing or HID bulb.

Your bike will support even if u go for a 20AH battery the only concern is where will you accomodate it

I have asked this questions many times but sorry asking it again since I want to be sure before I purchase new battery (only if reqd.). As you say 9Ah, 14Ah or 20Ah but will the battery gets fully charged without rewinding or any other changes? Many ppl told me that I will have to go for rewinding if I'm installing higher capacity battery since the current charging rate will not be sufficient for the bigger battery.

Can u post some pics of the beam spread?

Yes will post the snaps today or tomorrow.

[sajjt]

Hi Sajit,
Yes you are right, but these are not good for the cornering too. Since the lights cuts across the corners. The design of the projector is such a way that the light is very much centered. Mounting the fog lamps on the fork is always in my mind but need some help which I'm unable to find it here. I know many in Mumbai so planning to go to Mumbai then will put it up on forks near the head light.
Yes, converting halogen to HID is a good option but will not try it now may be next year since it is not a straight fit, fear of damaging internal casing or HID bulb.

I have asked this questions many times but sorry asking it again since I want to be sure before I purchase new battery (only if reqd.). As you say 9Ah, 14Ah or 20Ah but will the battery gets fully charged without rewinding or any other changes? Many ppl told me that I will have to go for rewinding if I'm installing higher capacity battery since the current charging rate will not be sufficient for the bigger battery.

Yes will post the snaps today or tomorrow.

You can ask Navnish who has already done that in one of the Micro De and this is what I got from the net about Micro De



Micro De pair on action and its lighting up the kerbs very well and that should be the way a fog lamp has to light up. So I guess u need to adjust the lamp to get more surrounding view.

See as per your calculations, the load came down to 130W and thats nearly 11A theoretically and the battery you have is only 5AH which is only less than half required which means you'll get only half an hour max. But once u measure the total load to the battery am sure it will cross 12A. Till now, your battery performs well just bcz of the boost in charging. I guess its pumping nearly 5A else you would've got a flat battery within 10-15 minutes.

Am very much sure that your bike has got a stronger charging system which can handle even up to 20AH but thats not practical as a 20AH battery will come to the size of side box which is not practical. Try to find some space for 9AH and it will be happily topped up with the current system. Imagine how much of load you are exerting on the battery and till date is surviving just bcz of its boosted charging system only. If u can fix a 9AH, your backup time will be almost double and I feel its somewhat healthy loading than now.

[Shreeni0403]

Hi Shree,

thanks for the update, but I guess u r few years late in doing so

Comet will be the best add on lamps and its too good for distant visibility, of course you need to pay for the premium.

Good things never come cheap man

You are always been on the extreme side man, I strongly doubt about your eyes as nothing is enough for you.

Is that only for eyes or everything? then its a different and difficult thing

Errr !! Too much

Btw go with LightForce for your car, its a lethal weapon. I would rate it above Hella. Even price also

Not using much of my bike/car. So nothing big has come. For car, haven't put HID also

Am very much sure that your bike has got a stronger charging system which can handle even up to 20AH but thats not practical as a 20AH battery will come to the size of side box which is not practical. Try to find some space for 9AH and it will be happily topped up with the current system. Imagine how much of load you are exerting on the battery and till date is surviving just bcz of its boosted charging system only. If u can fix a 9AH, your backup time will be almost double and I feel its somewhat healthy loading than now.

I am not sure if Abhijit has tried using both fogs for a long run else by this time he would ve reported battery issues. But Sajan, H3's consume less power in aH compared to H4's (IMO) though I have not tested. I am telling this bcz 55w H3 will glow to its full intensity without rewinding on any stock bike electricals (AC powered) without rewinding, but a H4 55w won't.

[gopsuttan]

Hi.
I'm having a Kawazaki Boxer bike. I would like to install a hid xenon headlamp for that... Please help.. what all things i need to do??

[Vicky]

Philips X-teme vision H4 60/55w on my CBR250

Just picked up a pair of Philips X-treme Power H4 60/55w... shall install it tomorrow and share my thoughts here..

So, in continuation to the above, here are the test results..

I wanted to be as scientific as possible.. so shot all the photos with my Canon DSLR. To keep the exposure exactly the same between the multiple shots, I shot in full Manual mode with the following exposure settings..

50D + 17-50mm @ 17mm, 1/30, f/2.8, ISO 800, Image Stabilization On, WB Manual 4000kelvin



/\ Took this above shot just to give you an idea of the ambient lighting..






Now I zoomed in to 50mm with same exposure settings.. to get a closer view of the beam throw..



The wall at the end of the passage is a good 300~350 feet from where I was parked.

The results are here for you to see I think the biggest gain is in Low beam... both in terms of spread as well as intensity.

Philips claim that these are 80% brighter than standard blubs, but I felt that these are at least 40-50% brighter if not more!

What do you guys think?

[abhijeet080808]

Nice comparo there. Even the before/after pics looked so beautiful.

The results are as expected - brightness is like a 75W halo, slightly less than a 100/90W bulb.

[abhijitkn]

Re:Still in dilemma...

Micro De pair on action and its lighting up the kerbs very well and that should be the way a fog lamp has to light up. So I guess u need to adjust the lamp to get more surrounding view.

Hi Sajit,
It depends how you mount them. With the standard mounting options (for cars), these lights can never be considered for cornering. To use them effectively they have to be mounted at an angle. Here is the link This link has a graphical representation of the beam spread, that is how exactly the beam spread of Micro-De is. In your picture you can not see the car that is why it is difficult to make out the spread of the beam from the light. May be in my pictures it will be more clear. But anyway, I'll mount them on Forks soon.

EDIT: I'll try adjusting a bit by rotating the clamps. It will give better illumination at the corners.