Author Topic: After market LED Headlight units  (Read 27595 times)

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Subbu-500

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on: January 02, 2018, 12:54:20 pm
All posts related to this topic are over two years old, hence starting a new one.

I am currently running an after market 35W LED bulb on my 2014 B5 (carb) as i was not very happy with the stock 55/60 W Halogen bulb especially on highways during night time riding. The LED is quite a bit brighter compared to the stock but is terribly out of focus and the throw is not good either. Hence i was contemplating getting an after market LED headlight unit like 7" ones used on Jeeps etc,. However, these headlights are rated at 75/100W (low/high) which is way over the stock setup. So my question is, will this cause severe harm to the battery which is 12V 14ah?
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Guaire

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Reply #1 on: January 02, 2018, 04:33:54 pm
Here's what I'm running now, although not today. It was 11 degrees this morning.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/motorcycle-led-bulbs/motorcycle-led-headlight-conversion-kit-h4-led-headlight-bulb-conversion-kit-with-compact-heat-sink/3930/8566/

For me it was plug and play, a straight replacement for the regular H4, 60/55w. At idle and start up my ammeter light would come on. Now, it's a thing of the past. I'm happy with the brightness of the light(s). The high beam really lights the night.
Cheers,
Bill
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hpwaco

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Reply #2 on: January 02, 2018, 08:14:29 pm
I've been thinking about an h4 led bulb, but doubt that one with the large heat sink would fit in the 7" headlight shell on my gt.  Its difficult enough getting it closed with a standard h4 and connector.


Arizoni

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Reply #3 on: January 02, 2018, 11:59:59 pm
A lot of the LED lights show their light power by stating the equivalent incandescent light output.
That is, the candlepower of a "60 watt" LED is as bright as a 60 watt incandescent bulb.

The real amount of power a LED uses to produce this is a lot less.  I guess this "equivalent light output" method is done so people can visualize how bright the LED is going to be.

For instance the superbright LED Guaire linked to says it puts out 1300 lumens of light.
That's a little more than a old fashioned 75-80 watt light bulb would give.

Looking a bit further into the specifications for that LED bulb it says it uses 18.6 watts worth of electrical power so, it is going to put about 19 watts of load on your motorcycles electrical system.

Put another way, using that LED light is like screwing in a 19 watt bulb and getting "80 watts" of light out of it.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2018, 12:02:01 am by Arizoni »
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Subbu-500

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Reply #4 on: January 03, 2018, 11:23:02 am
Hi All,

Thank you for the valuable suggestions. I learnt that all these LED Projector Headlights available in India are made in China and i am not really comfortable with that as they are most probably fake  :o..So i am looking at getting them from Amazon.com. I have attached a pic of the one i liked and would greatly appreciate if i can know:
a) Is this a direct fit on the RE B5 2014 (India)?
b) It is rated at 60 w for High Beam. So can i assume it will not strain the battery?
Subbu
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Guaire

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Reply #5 on: January 03, 2018, 03:05:08 pm
I've been thinking about an h4 led bulb, but doubt that one with the large heat sink would fit in the 7" headlight shell on my gt.  Its difficult enough getting it closed with a standard h4 and connector.

  I got some extra room in my 7” nacelle because  I had secretly removed the bus adapter that turns on the light whenever the key is turned on.....for the US market. Like the rest of the Royal Enfield world I can turn the light on and off with the handlebar switch.
  I have seen bulbs with bigger heat sinks. The smaller size of the super bright was part of my choosing it.
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tooseevee

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Reply #6 on: January 03, 2018, 04:06:33 pm
Hi All,

Thank you for the valuable suggestions. I learnt that all these LED Projector Headlights available in India are made in China and i am not really comfortable with that as they are most probably fake  :o..So i am looking at getting them from Amazon.com. I have attached a pic of the one i liked and would greatly appreciate if i can know:
a) Is this a direct fit on the RE B5 2014 (India)?
b) It is rated at 60 w for High Beam. So can i assume it will not strain the battery?

           I'll bet you it's made in China.
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Grant Borden

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Reply #7 on: January 04, 2018, 12:39:59 am
Only the very best products are made in China, I know because China is written on almost all the premium products I own.

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GSS

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Reply #8 on: January 04, 2018, 12:47:19 am
Looks like a nice headlight but too modern looking for a RE......unlikely that it is not made in China  :)
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Fragman

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Reply #9 on: January 04, 2018, 01:09:41 am
Here's what I'm running now, although not today. It was 11 degrees this morning.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/motorcycle-led-bulbs/motorcycle-led-headlight-conversion-kit-h4-led-headlight-bulb-conversion-kit-with-compact-heat-sink/3930/8566/

For me it was plug and play, a straight replacement for the regular H4, 60/55w. At idle and start up my ammeter light would come on. Now, it's a thing of the past. I'm happy with the brightness of the light(s). The high beam really lights the night.
Cheers,
Bill

I may be going to this light as well. I got their LED's in the mail today to replace my tail/stop light and pilot lights with. I binned the DRL pigtail long ago. Was good riding today in sunny, 7C weather. :D
Nothing better than a nice putt on an RE.
It's a serene way to travel at an unhurried pace.

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Subbu-500

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Reply #10 on: January 04, 2018, 11:36:16 am
Quote
[Looks like a nice headlight but too modern looking for a RE......unlikely that it is not made in China  :)/quote]
Quote
[Only the very best products are made in China, I know because China is written on almost all the premium products I own./quote]

Yeah...i know they make good stuff too but most of what is imported into India are not original. Anyway, i have dropped the idea of getting the headlight from Amazon.com(US) as the landing cost comes close to 3 times the product value  :o... i guess i will just go get the ones available here over this weekend and will report with the initial impressions/review
Subbu
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heloego

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Reply #11 on: January 04, 2018, 02:57:25 pm
   I ordered these H4 LEDs:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X322873788277.TRS0&_nkw=322873788277&_sacat=0, and

   This open beam H4 7" Lamp:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-7-H6024-Open-Beam-Headlight-with-bulb-H4-Replaces-sealed-Beam-6012-14-15-17/331429888210?hash=item4d2ac2c0d2:g:feQAAOSw8d9Uwpv0&vxp=mtr.

   The lamp comes with an H4 halogen bulb. I replaced the halogen bulb with the LED unit, and it works very well. Fit is good, too. Seems just as bright, but will use a LOT less power.
   I have no clue how long the H4 LED bulb will work, due to the almost total lack of a heat sink. The price wast so cheap I ordered 4 each so I have spares for the bike and the tub.
« Last Edit: January 04, 2018, 03:00:49 pm by heloego »
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Guaire

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Reply #12 on: January 04, 2018, 03:33:32 pm
   I ordered these H4 LEDs:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X322873788277.TRS0&_nkw=322873788277&_sacat=0, and

   This open beam H4 7" Lamp:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-7-H6024-Open-Beam-Headlight-with-bulb-H4-Replaces-sealed-Beam-6012-14-15-17/331429888210?hash=item4d2ac2c0d2:g:feQAAOSw8d9Uwpv0&vxp=mtr.

   The lamp comes with an H4 halogen bulb. I replaced the halogen bulb with the LED unit, and it works very well. Fit is good, too. Seems just as bright, but will use a LOT less power.
   I have no clue how long the H4 LED bulb will work, due to the almost total lack of a heat sink. The price wast so cheap I ordered 4 each so I have spares for the bike and the tub.

  Good grief, $2.89?!! And free shipping the USA!
  Those bulbs have to be the way to go as a carry on as a back up bulb. They won’t break as easily as a glass bulb loose in a saddle bag or some other spot. They would definitely at least get you home. I’ll them as spares on my VF500F, my R80RT and the seat cowl on my GT.
Good find.

I bought to of the same bulb from a seller out of New York. I’ll get them much sooner than if I would order from China.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/173040540668
« Last Edit: January 04, 2018, 04:19:27 pm by Guaire »
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heloego

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Reply #13 on: January 04, 2018, 07:28:26 pm
   Surprisingly, I received both orders within a couple of weeks. So now I have an additional unsealed headlamp, the remaining three LEDs, and the original two halogen lamps. More spares than I'll need for awhile, I think.  ;D

  On a side note, when using E-Bay, I've noted that even though the seller is listed as located in one's country it doesn't necessarily mean that the ordered item comes directly from the seller. Often the seller is simply an order taker located in (insert country) who passes on the order to the item's original seller or manufacturer.
  I've received more than one item that way.  ::)

  As for the quality of the unsealed headlights, they do seem to be made of glass and at least on the first unit the focus is good. From India, as I recall.
  The LEDs came from China.

   A previous order for a 4.25 inch LED headlight assembly for my Cozy tub resulted in a broken LED assembly (same unit as in my last post) on arrival, but the vendor made it good immediately after I sent pics.
   The actual LED unit had not been securely glued to its base, thus shipping knocked it loose, breaking the positive lead.
   The newer ones I ordered I have applied a drop of Super Glue at 4 places equidistant  around the bases. That should solve any future breakage issues.  :P
   
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Reply #14 on: January 05, 2018, 01:00:35 am
Autopal is a very old Indian company and generally makes good stuff...no surprise that your 7” light is good.

The 2.89 H4s are an amazingly good price. Let us know how they do....might have to try some myself :)
2022 Continental GT 650 Dux Deluxe
2019 Himalayan Snow
2019 Interceptor 650 - Chrome...off the first boat!
Previous REs:
2021 Meteor 350 Supernova Blue
2014 Continental GT 535 - Red...lowest VIN off the first boat!
2010 Classic 500 - Teal Chrome