Hid lights conversion

[barbagris]

hi there was considering doing HID light conversion there apears to be many benefits like around half the current draw which would give the alternator an easier time etc ,is there enough room in the lamps behind the bulbs as the connectors look quite bulky ,any one got the t shirt

There are pro's and con's.

The only kind that make sense are those that have HID lo-beam and HID Hi-beam - the HID is a single burner that is physically relocated inside a housing by an electromagnet.

The cheap ones have a HID DIP and rubbishy (generally low wattage) Halogen MAIN. This also means the HID is switching on/off - they fail fast if you do so.

I've converted all sorts of vehicles to HID and eventually took them all off. Hiding the ruddy driver boxes is a sod on bikes. If you were closer - I'd invite you over to fit one.

THERE IS A PROBLEM with the Triumph light units too. The GOOD versions of the HID conversions will not fit through the bulb hole. Got the t-shirt.

Also - my experience is that the wattage is a bit closer to 70% of Halogen.

The future WILL BE LED. Proper units are still too bl**dy expensive. But if you're up for R+D work there are LED torches out there with outputs 8 times the power of a Halogen bulb (twice and a bit the power of HID)

A Halogen puts out approx 1000-1500lumens. HID approx 3500lumens. I've seen 10,000lumen LED torches.

Converted some "Triumph" auxiliary lights to LED using 1000lumen projectors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9JGnu9B_8

 

[zenbiker]

There are pro's and con's.

The only kind that make sense are those that have HID lo-beam and HID Hi-beam - the HID is a single burner that is physically relocated inside a housing by an electromagnet.

The cheap ones have a HID DIP and rubbishy (generally low wattage) Halogen MAIN. This also means the HID is switching on/off - they fail fast if you do so.

I've converted all sorts of vehicles to HID and eventually took them all off. Hiding the ruddy driver boxes is a sod on bikes. If you were closer - I'd invite you over to fit one.

THERE IS A PROBLEM with the Triumph light units too. The GOOD versions of the HID conversions will not fit through the bulb hole. Got the t-shirt.

Also - my experience is that the wattage is a bit closer to 70% of Halogen.

The future WILL BE LED. Proper units are still too bl**dy expensive. But if you're up for R+D work there are LED torches out there with outputs 8 times the power of a Halogen bulb (twice and a bit the power of HID)

A Halogen puts out approx 1000-1500lumens. HID approx 3500lumens. I've seen 10,000lumen LED torches.

Converted some "Triumph" auxiliary lights to LED using 1000lumen projectors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9JGnu9B_8

I tried an HID setup on my Boss Hoss. Although the light was very bright...there was no BEAM! Totally diffuse, useless light at night. I ended up going back to the H4 bulbs. It is my understanding that you need "projectors" to get a focused beam.
I don't know enough to speak with authority about this but until there is a true projector setup...I'll stay with the H4s. Now they are OK after the Easten Beaver relay fix but would like even more light. Before the EB relay conversion, they were horribly weak.
Can you talk a bit more about the LED lights? Are they available to replace the headlight bulbs or just as additional units as shown in the video?

 

[Willtill]

I second and reinforce Chris's post about going to LED's. I received 2 pair of these LED's:



...from Mrs Klaus last Christmas. I've since mounted a pair on my DR650:





I had an opportunity to take my bike out after installing them. I completely illuminated the street; couldn't even see the light from the stock headlight. They are 1500 lumen and they are bad assed Had to dial them down a little otherwise I would've blinded every car for miles coming at me.


I'm putting the 2nd pair on my Rocket probably next weekend. Even with the Eastern Beaver Headlight relays; the lighting is still dismal from the Rocket's twin H4 bulbs. These LED's are the answer to that poor lighting

 

[barbagris]

I tried an HID setup on my Boss Hoss. Although the light was very bright...there was no BEAM! Totally diffuse, useless light at night. I ended up going back to the H4 bulbs. It is my understanding that you need "projectors" to get a focused beam....
Can you talk a bit more about the LED lights? Are they available to replace the headlight bulbs or just as additional units as shown in the video?

I was perfectly happy with beam pattern and HID in most light units. But there is a real possibility with cheaper HID burners that this can happen. You by no means need projector units.

An important point is that the Kelvin value you use MUST match the type of light unit you use. In an old fashioned light unit (simple reflector/patterned lens) - anything over 5000K will not work properly - 4300K is MUCH better. Patterned reflector and clear lens (i.e. R3) 5000K. Projectors - 6000K.

ALSO - it is my opinion that the Triumph OEM light units are ****ty. The beam pattern is frankly deficient. Light does not get where it is needed. HID's would just make this seem worse. I've ordered some different 5&3/4" light units to check. I've seen this before between different light units - Hella/Bosch/Cibié etc gained their reputations for a reason.

Ian has a point about GOOD H4 bulbs - but beware upping to HIGH wattage bulbs - I'm not entirely convinced the Triumph Plastic reflectors will support more heat.

My video shows home made custom conversions - One of these days I'll do an H4 version but I want to try a different LED emitter with more "poke" and getting decent driver circuits is holding me back.

If you want PROPER 5&3/4" LED light units - to date I've only found one supplier. JW-SPEAKER in the USA. DOT approved. EU approved. But VERY F*CKING EXPENSIVE. I believe they are what H/D make available to their victims (sorry I mean loyal customers) http://www.jwspeaker.com/other/led-headlamps

 

[Ransom]

I tried an HID setup on my Boss Hoss. Although the light was very bright...there was no BEAM! Totally diffuse, useless light at night. I ended up going back to the H4 bulbs. It is my understanding that you need "projectors" to get a focused beam.
I don't know enough to speak with authority about this but until there is a true projector setup...I'll stay with the H4s. Now they are OK after the Easten Beaver relay fix but would like even more light. Before the EB relay conversion, they were horribly weak.
Can you talk a bit more about the LED lights? Are they available to replace the headlight bulbs or just as additional units as shown in the video?

Do do HID you need to replace the entire headlight unit. Any of the Retro fit kits will give poor performance.

LED headlights are availbe from JW Speaker and Truck-lite, but they are costly.

 

[Willtill]

Do these. You'll completely ignore any issues with your stock headlights; after you turn on these suckers

 

[Trirocket3]

How bout these
http://www.adjureinc.com/t50304.html

 

[barbagris]

How bout these
http://www.adjureinc.com/t50304.html

Or - http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/uploaded/thumbnails/db_file_img_1143_800x800.jpg - Made by Saturnus which is Hellas second label. 38quid a pair at Staffordshire Vehicle Components. That or Cibié have started producing the old (and bloody excellent on bikes) H beam units - more expensive though.

The Saturnus can be found cheaper for those of us who drive on the right side of the road in some of the larger German bike part suppliers.

 

[barbagris]

LED headlights are availbe from JW Speaker and Truck-lite, but they are costly.

Truck-Lite do not do a 5&3/4" (yet?)