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Post by paprika on May 26, 2009 15:16:56 GMT
We (well.. he!  ) fitted some spots to my 600 but if I use them all the time as I would like to for greater visibility, they flatten the battery. In fact we had to call out the AA to give me a jump start the other day. So my question is: are there any spots which use less power to run? What about LED spots? I guess I can't change the alternator for a more powerful one and probably it's not worth it anyway on a 94 bike... Any thoughts welcomed! ;D |
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Post by CD on May 26, 2009 18:43:24 GMT
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Post by sparky392 on May 26, 2009 21:56:46 GMT
Spotlights, foglights & headlights draw a tremendous amount of power from battery, They can project light to light up road ahead, but if visibility is main issue then led spots would be ideal, they can be superbright, without drawing tons of power, but they will not project light like a conventional bulb
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Post by paprika on May 27, 2009 12:31:03 GMT
thanks gentlemen! My HID headlight is pretty good for me to see so yes, it's being seen that interests me.. Not sure I could do the modifications needed CD but thanks all the same  I'll have a look around for a 'plug and play' option on LEDs. |
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Post by mikestrong on May 27, 2009 13:05:48 GMT
It's rather the other way round for me.
Headlight is useless even with a high intensity white bulb in. I get a dim wash of light scattered across the road. High beam is better but can't use that all the time obviously.
Any thoughts without going for a HID kit etc.?
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Post by CD on May 27, 2009 18:11:00 GMT
If you can do ordinary bike maintenance jobs, the mods to the lamps would be a doddle. All it needs is a screwdriver and some bits of dowel the same size as AAA batteries to hold the wires in place. The brackets were the biggest issue but that so often applies with car accessory lights.
They are bright as marker lights but they don't light up the road ahead like proper driving spot lamps.
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Post by sparky392 on May 27, 2009 21:49:48 GMT
If anyone gets stuck on electrics i'll always help out if i can, am auto-electrician by trade, just send me message. am in south yorks.
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Post by Pool Boy on May 27, 2009 22:20:33 GMT
Presumably, you could get 3 of those LED things and wire them in series?
Only prob would be if one blows, it would leave others overpowered (or would it - perhaps one blowing would act like a fuse and shut the power off to the others ) ??
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Post by paprika on May 28, 2009 19:07:48 GMT
why 3? Have I missed something? CD, it's this bit I'm not sure about: with a 12V d.c. to 4.5 d.c. to drive them. what does that mean?  |
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Post by CD on May 29, 2009 10:59:48 GMT
The torches use three AAA batteries = 4.5 volts so they cant wire directly to the bike. I went to Maplins and found an electonic box that has a car ciggie lighter plug and has a switchable output. I set it to 4.5V and wired that side to the lights with the 12V side connected to the bike's ignition supply.
You could wire three in series - daisy chained together 3 x 4.5 = 13.5 more or less what the generator gives, but bike electrics are full of spikes and noise that can easily damage LEDs so I think the special power supply is a better bet and it costs about the same as easch lamp.
The lights are perfect as marker lamps - bright, white and not dazzling.
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Post by paprika on May 31, 2009 9:27:30 GMT
OK, all clear thanks so much for that explanation. I'll see what he thinks now  |
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Post by sparky392 on May 31, 2009 21:53:52 GMT
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Post by CD on Jun 1, 2009 8:15:14 GMT
I dont think these existed when I bought my lights. But at that price the LEDs HAVE to be worth a go. Total cost about 1/4 of what I paid out. Hey - they might even work as panel mounted indicators.
Edit - Scratch that they dont do an amber version. :-(
I spent ages looking for some small long range spot lights and some LED daylight marker lights. So far I've only got the LEDs sorted and they needed some faffing about. Finding lamps that fitted in the available space was quite an issue.
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Post by paprika on Jun 6, 2009 14:02:50 GMT
ordered! any thoughts on the best place to fit the leds? They seem to have flat backs... |
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Post by CD on Jun 6, 2009 14:09:51 GMT
Can you post some pics. I have flat backed "flush" indicators on the fairing, but they are not spectaularly well made. Sooner or later they'll have to be replaced.
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) fitted some spots to my 600 but if I use them all the time as I would like to for greater visibility, they flatten the battery. In fact we had to call out the AA to give me a jump start the other day. So my question is: are there any spots which use less power to run? What about LED spots? I guess I can't change the alternator for a more powerful one and probably it's not worth it anyway on a 94 bike...
