Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

[Skanda]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

Most of my daily commute involves highway rides, so I have been meaning to install LED spot lamps on my RE Classic 500 DS.

My requirement, I believe, would be to have;

1. Decent illumination on highways, so Spot beams and not flood/fog beams.
2. Not add too much load on existing wiring.
3. Should not blind oncoming traffic in 2lane highways that are poorly lit.
4. Minimum modification, splicing, etc of existing wiring.

I saw the installation of @J.Ravi sir, and read through a few pages of this thread, but I'm still confused on how to go about this matter.

I'm thinking to proceed in the following manner. Let me know if there are better alternatives;
1. Change existing small bulbs of indicator, idiot lights, meter console etc with following LED's from ebay.
Bull Leds SET OF 7 Leds Royal N Enfield Bullet Classic Machismo ALL White | eBay
2. Should I get this flasher relay?
12V 3 PIN Motorcycle Universal LED Turn Signal Indicator Flasher Relay | eBay
3. Get the following 10w LED spots (though Im confused, some listings say 30 deg beam, some say optional 40/ 8 deg.)
2" Inch Round 10 Watt Cree LED Work Light OFF Road Jeep Motorcycle | eBay
4. Get the following switch (is it really waterproof?)
FOG Light Switch Motorcycle Switch FOR ALL Bikes Fits 7 8" 1" Handlebars | eBay
5. Is there anything else I'm missing?
6. For wiring, how to proceed? direct wiring from battery, or, open the headlight dome and splice a wire from inside? which would be a safer bet?

Please help me out guys..

PS. If I can spend bit more, but get a reliable and safe installation, please suggest those options too

I suggest you to either go for LED headlight or buy OSRAM spot lights (Check here). I tried many spot lights on my previous bike, like the ones in the pictures attached. None of them were satisfactory. The round ones with many LED's throw was very short, it was not useful at all. The black one throw was Ok, but was not so bright and was fragile (I do not recommend those). I bought 60W*2 with 12 LEDS's spotlights from Aliexpress last year and I have never been that happy with any auxiliary lights. They work wonders. The link I have put are of same type with 6 LED's. Do not worry about the watt rating, they are just extrapolated numbers. I have tested with a watt meter and each LED consumes 1.5W (Around 9.5W per light. About 19W for 2 pcs for 6 LED spotlights). I had them with the same switch you have posted and never faced any problem (though I have never rode them under heavy rains, light and medium was OK. Even water wash did not have any problem with that switch). I had connected them directly to battery and I have never faced any issue even after long usage. However, I highly advice you to set it up with some fuse box like this which helps to avoid any type of short circuit.

The LED that I used on my RTR FI was fantastic(Can find the link to that few pages back). I loved those and I never had to use any auxiliary light once I started using it. Though, the headlight dome shape of RTR might be the cause for it, I am not quite sure how would be the light dispersion in the round dome of C500 (might test this on my friend's C350 after couple of months).

I recommend not to buy these if you are looking for SPOT light. For flood, these are fine.




These were just OK but not so bright.

[bobisbacktorock]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

is there any h4 led bulb which can throw light colour same or matching with stock halogen?
i have visited many shops all of them provide white or yellowish white LED bulb.

No led will produce halogen color light so you need to decide on that. I personally feel that a yellowish white is the best color temperature for road conditions. Pure white or pure yellow is not that great, is what I feel. Its ofcourse your personal choice though.

Have been running on 60/55 watts for more than 2 years. No probs.

Thats really great sir. Are you running the bulb using a relay harness or just plugged in stock bulb socket?

Hi,

I own a Pulsar 200AS and it is brand new, I want to change the conventional Light Bulbs with brighter more efficient ones. Kindly suggest me something with quality and good after sales service. I am from Kolkata.

Cheers!

Try googling out R&D motovil.

[acs1207]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

With relay and am running a 9ah battery.

[powerShift]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

i am weekend tourer and sometimes i have to spend most part of night on saddle.

currently i am using Philips vision extreme 60/55 in my pulsar 200NS which is more on whitish side as compared to stock halogen, and i find this colour perfect to me.

though this bulb is bit better than stock halogen of same specifications, i am still unsatisfied.

reliability is the biggest factor i am looking at. since past few weeks, i am looking for alternatives and i found these.

1. AUXILIARY LIGHTS: safest, as it has separate line and stock headlight is untouched. still i dint find any auxiliary light with satisfactory results. can anybody help me with spot LED auxiliary light with good results.

2. UPGRADING TO 100/90W HALOGEN BULB WITH RELAY AND CERAMIC HOLDER. bit less safer. due to heat generation, it may melt the plastic reflector coating. more power consumption hence more load on battery.

3. UPGRADING TO LED HEADLIGHT BULB. (according to theory i know) less power consumption, less heat generation inside reflector.

any led headlight bulb which is reliable, more throw than 60/55 vision extreme, and not pure white?

i would love to replace halogen to led.

reliability is the thing which i am considering most.
please suggest me auxiliary light better than CREE U5 LED or reliable LED headlight bulb. else i will have only 100/90 option left.

No led will produce halogen color light so you need to decide on that. I personally feel that a yellowish white is the best color temperature for road conditions. Pure white or pure yellow is not that great, is what I feel. Its ofcourse your personal choice though.

same is my choice..

I suggest you to either go for LED headlight or buy OSRAM spot lights (Check here). I tried many spot lights on my previous bike, like the ones in the pictures attached. None of them were satisfactory. The round ones with many LED's throw was very short, it was not useful at all. The black one throw was Ok, but was not so bright and was fragile (I do not recommend those). I bought 60W*2 with 12 LEDS's spotlights from Aliexpress last year and I have never been that happy with any auxiliary lights. They work wonders.

The LED that I used on my RTR FI was fantastic(Can find the link to that few pages back). I loved those and I never had to use any auxiliary light once I started using it.

can you please post the light throw of 60w x 2 with 12 LED (each?)?
how long did you used headlight led in Apache continuously? any effect on reflector/holder after prolonged usage?
i have seen led replacement for halogen has a ballast attached to it. this product don't have it. can you please describe its function?

[bobisbacktorock]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

With relay and am running a 9ah battery.

Thats great sir. When I tried the same on a Karizma ZMA, the reflector discoloured within a week. We tried a custom built relay harness and OSRAM night breaker ... the output was AMAZING but the reflector could not take it. Ultimately the owner had to remove off the relay hareness.

i am weekend tourer and sometimes i have to spend most part of night on saddle.

currently i am using Philips vision extreme 60/55 in my pulsar 200NS which is more on whitish side as compared to stock halogen, and i find this colour perfect to me.

though this bulb is bit better than stock halogen of same specifications, i am still unsatisfied.

reliability is the biggest factor i am looking at. since past few weeks, i am looking for alternatives and i found these.

1. AUXILIARY LIGHTS: safest, as it has separate line and stock headlight is untouched. still i dint find any auxiliary light with satisfactory results. can anybody help me with spot LED auxiliary light with good results.

2. UPGRADING TO 100/90W HALOGEN BULB WITH RELAY AND CERAMIC HOLDER. bit less safer. due to heat generation, it may melt the plastic reflector coating. more power consumption hence more load on battery.

3. UPGRADING TO LED HEADLIGHT BULB. (according to theory i know) less power consumption, less heat generation inside reflector.

any led headlight bulb which is reliable, more throw than 60/55 vision extreme, and not pure white?

i would love to replace halogen to led.

reliability is the thing which i am considering most.
please suggest me auxiliary light better than CREE U5 LED or reliable LED headlight bulb. else i will have only 100/90 option left.

As P200 NS has a stock 55/60 watt halogen, I didn't understand why do u feel reliability issues? The Phi-EX-VI will draw same current and produce almost same amount of heat, hence no reason to worry about that.

About auxilary lamps, look out for spot beams like 4 dwells CREE LED aux lamps. Those are sufficiently bright and blend very well with halogen light and give awesome illumination.

Any day, I will not suggest a 100/90 watts bulb as it is bound to cause damages to reflector and lens of headlamp under prolonged usage.

About LED lamp inside headlamp, Just check it out if it gives out good illumination in reality, Then you can go for it. It will be a trial and error method, but you will come to a conclusion finally.

[powerShift]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

As P200 NS has a stock 55/60 watt halogen, I didn't understand why do u feel reliability issues? The Phi-EX-VI will draw same current and produce almost same amount of heat, hence no reason to worry about that.

may be i put my thoughts in wrong words. am not worried about my current setup. its absolutely stress free. i think of reliability for upgrading headlight to LED or 100/90 as this would going to be only source of light. failing to which, i would have to rely upon truckers on highways.

About auxilary lamps, look out for spot beams like 4 dwells CREE LED aux lamps. Those are sufficiently bright and blend very well with halogen light and give awesome illumination.

CREE U5 LED wasn't sufficient as checked in my friends avenger. need to get something more brighter to give more reaction time while cruising 80-90kmph.

Any day, I will not suggest a 100/90 watts bulb as it is bound to cause damages to reflector and lens of headlamp under prolonged usage.

yeah, thats what i am fearing about.

About LED lamp inside headlamp, Just check it out if it gives out good illumination in reality, Then you can go for it. It will be a trial and error method, but you will come to a conclusion finally.

as i am tight on budget, i was looking for others experiences.

thanks for detailed reply.

[Skanda]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

can you please post the light throw of 60w x 2 with 12 LED (each?)?
how long did you used headlight led in Apache continuously? any effect on reflector/holder after prolonged usage?
i have seen led replacement for halogen has a ballast attached to it. this product don't have it. can you please describe its function?

I will take a snap of 60W this weekend(will try to get it sooner) and post it.

I used the led one on Apache for around 8 to 10 months(have sold the bike now). Didn't face any issues. The heat on the headlight dome was considerably low compared to stock and Phillips crystal vision. The one I used didn't have the led driver(ballast is for HID) as wattage was low. 20W for each high and low beam. When it's on low beam, I think the led on the front lit up and on high beam the back one(Or vice versa). Both didn't switch on at the same time. This was a problem as pass switch would not work and you need to manually press the high/low switch for pass light. That's the only gripe I had. I had been to Bangalore-Mysore-Ooty-Mysore-Bangalore on the led light and it was really awesome! I didn't even use the auxiliary light(picture attached) that I had as the LED was way more powerful and sufficient for any purpose. However, when I used the horn, the led light used to dim only a bit and there were no other electrical interruptions that I found.

[Skanda]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

can you please post the light throw of 60w x 2 with 12 LED (each?)?

This is the setup on my car. I know these are a lot, but I mostly drive on highways during night and many a times in remote areas and I wouldn't use all at once. Headlights, 55W HID, 55W*2 Epistar LED round aux light and 60W*2 OSRAM LED aux light. All photos were taken at same aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Note that I was able to see even further than what is visible in the images.



This is only from HID(high beam).


This is only from 55W*2 Epistar LED (The throw is very shot and these do not have good waterproofing as well. Since I had purchased it, I didn't dismount it, but I never use these)


This is only from 60W*2 OSRAM LED. I have intentionally adjusted the beam this way which is enough for my needs. I was able to adjust the throw 3 times further than what I have focused now, its so powerful and the temperature is on the yellow side similar to halogen.


This is when everything is switched on. Hell breaks loose!
Also, those who have aux lights, please adjust such that it would not blind oncoming traffic. And always use only spot lights as flood lights blind others no matter how much you focus.

[deejayrox]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

thank you guys @Skanda and @bobisbacktorock for your helpful posts. Seeing your experience, now I'm leaning towards getting a Led bulb for installing in the standard headlight dome. however I have my doubts because the headlight glass in front in my C500 is not clear type, so it could scatter the light.

I'm thinking to get this one in 4300k option:
New H4 CREE LED Motorcycle Headlight Bulb 4000LM 40W Hi/Lo 20W Low Beam Conversion Kit 3000K 4300K 6000K DC 12V P43T Headlamp-in Headlights from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

On other note, how is the experience in dealing with aliexpress? now there are some discounts for anniversary sale.

[powerShift]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

thank you guys @Skanda and @bobisbacktorock for your helpful posts. Seeing your experience, now I'm leaning towards getting a Led bulb for installing in the standard headlight dome. however I have my doubts because the headlight glass in front in my C500 is not clear type, so it could scatter the light.

I'm thinking to get this one in 4300k option:
New H4 CREE LED Motorcycle Headlight Bulb 4000LM 40W Hi/Lo 20W Low Beam Conversion Kit 3000K 4300K 6000K DC 12V P43T Headlamp-in Headlights from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

On other note, how is the experience in dealing with aliexpress? now there are some discounts for anniversary sale.

also check with seller if it supports pass light. i have seen someone reporting absence of this feature in LED headlight bulbs. he had to do switch between upper and dipper to create pass light effect.

[deejayrox]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

also check with seller if it supports pass light. i have seen someone reporting absence of this feature in LED headlight bulbs. he had to do switch between upper and dipper to create pass light effect.

I don't think pass light is possible. But even with one, it is my thumb that goes instinctively for upper-dipper instead of pass light for passing .

[bobisbacktorock]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

thank you guys @Skanda and @bobisbacktorock for your helpful posts. Seeing your experience, now I'm leaning towards getting a Led bulb for installing in the standard headlight dome. however I have my doubts because the headlight glass in front in my C500 is not clear type, so it could scatter the light.

I'm thinking to get this one in 4300k option:
New H4 CREE LED Motorcycle Headlight Bulb 4000LM 40W Hi/Lo 20W Low Beam Conversion Kit 3000K 4300K 6000K DC 12V P43T Headlamp-in Headlights from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

On other note, how is the experience in dealing with aliexpress? now there are some discounts for anniversary sale.

I think it wont scatter. Only a trial will make it clear.

[Naveen Vajja]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

thank you guys @Skanda and @bobisbacktorock for your helpful posts. Seeing your experience, now I'm leaning towards getting a Led bulb for installing in the standard headlight dome. however I have my doubts because the headlight glass in front in my C500 is not clear type, so it could scatter the light.

I'm thinking to get this one in 4300k option:
New H4 CREE LED Motorcycle Headlight Bulb 4000LM 40W Hi/Lo 20W Low Beam Conversion Kit 3000K 4300K 6000K DC 12V P43T Headlamp-in Headlights from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

On other note, how is the experience in dealing with aliexpress? now there are some discounts for anniversary sale.

If you are buying from AliExpress ... look for V16 Turbo ... a very reliable brand and being used by others in this forum. The pass light works on this which is what I believe which is a combination of both the LEDS.

[deejayrox]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

If you are buying from AliExpress ... look for V16 Turbo ... a very reliable brand and being used by others in this forum. The pass light works on this which is what I believe which is a combination of both the LEDS.

Thanks. I would look into it, but the reason I had short listed the other led is because it was available in 4300k colour. I hate 6000k light when I'm at the receiving end of these at night. Also the description of tis bulb also says about some anti-glare cover(?) on the LED bulb so as not to blind oncoming traffic.

[Skanda]

Re: Let there be Light : Bike Lighting, HID etc

thank you guys @Skanda and @bobisbacktorock for your helpful posts. Seeing your experience, now I'm leaning towards getting a Led bulb for installing in the standard headlight dome. however I have my doubts because the headlight glass in front in my C500 is not clear type, so it could scatter the light.

I'm thinking to get this one in 4300k option:
New H4 CREE LED Motorcycle Headlight Bulb 4000LM 40W Hi/Lo 20W Low Beam Conversion Kit 3000K 4300K 6000K DC 12V P43T Headlamp-in Headlights from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

On other note, how is the experience in dealing with aliexpress? now there are some discounts for anniversary sale.

I have bought many items from Ali Express and never had any problems. I bought the same product that you are looking for at lesser price. Check this out -> 1pc 2015 New H4 40W 4000LM LED Motorcycle Headlight Bulb Headlamp High Low Conversion Beam Driving Headlamp Moto Lights

http://s.aliexpress.com/qyQzuINZ

(from AliExpress Android)