lighting

[savy265]

i  own  a 2000 interstate, i wan tto  upgrade to  a  better  front  light but led's runs hot ,and  don;t  want  a  fire, i used hid,s on  old  bike but had  issues  from translating  from  high  to  low,if  i did it  to  quick the  bulb  would  shut  down, tks

[Bighead]

Many run LED’s in the IS.

[gordonv]

You did a Poll, but all I see is 2 options both of None.

My 1st question is why? What are you trying to accomplish.

LED have gotten so good over the last 3 years, I would consider them. But the cost, $75 ea?

The IS uses a OEM 45W/45W H4 bulb. I bought a pair of, I think, 65W/55W, for not too much, $25-$35 from amazon.

I just wanted something a little brighter. I don't regularly ride at night, so it's to be better seen during daylight hours.

I'll be adding on either fog lights, which I bought, or a add on set of running lights for the crash guards. They will be LED, and most likely from China, around $25-$35 ea, or for the pair, it's been a while.

I already run a head light modulator, and want to add a Hyperlite LED brake light. If you have every seen these, they are a pain when you're riding infront/behind someone with them, but that says they are working. Imagine what a cage driver will see.

[savy265]

better  lighting low amperage .

[RonW]

..... led's runs hot .....

please elaborate.

[MarkT]

If I had an Interstate, and the dedicated LED fixtures weren't available - like the Daymakers for bucket lights - then I would ensure the wiring and relays were sufficient to handle more power and run 100/80 bulbs you can get from say here.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/TEXON-HALOGEN-H4-9003-HB2-100-80W-HID-XENON-6500K-Super-XtremWhite-REPLACEMENT/223477054497?hash=item3408453c21:g:sRoAAOSwTuJYvkYd&frcectupt=true

Search on ebay for "H4 halogen 100/80w"  and you'll find choices.  Aim them carefully and you'll have all the light you can use and there's sufficiant power from the alternator to power them.  Ideally, dedicated LED lights put out more with less power draw but the LED H4 "bulbs" don't focus well as the reflectors aren't made for them.  I have tried MANY, even the ones that are supposed to put the element where the tungsten is, and they still put out a smear of light that gets folks flashing you.  I'd say until you can get those dedicated LED fixtures to fit the IS, this is the best for now.  My 130/90 H4's on my Tourers light up the road clearly for a measured half mile and they haven't damaged the bezel or the reflector yet in years of use.  But I'd be happier if I could do that with a smaller load on the alternator. I might go to Josh's adapter and related fixture yet - alternator maintenance is a concern now. Just replaced one with only 50k on it, and now won't do road trips w/o a spare.  Of course changing out the alternator on a road trip can be a hassle. I don't have all the tools with me I might need, like in my shop.  I haven't tried HID lights but I'm wary due to trouble reports and their cost.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Just replaced one with only 50k on it, and now won't do road trips w/o a spare.  Of course changing out the alternator on a road trip can be a hassle.

Yes, it can. But where there is a will, there is a way. Lost a alternator bearing near Amarillo, removed the alternator in the dark in a Motel 6 parking lot. Replaced it in the parking lot the next day. (I keep an alternator in the bag now)

[savy265]

 i  bought  the  bike  with  a  new  alternator,  i  also  run  a led  voltmeter  to  make  sure  everything  is  good. tks  for  the  advice .

[Gryphon Rider]

..... led's runs hot .....

please elaborate.

LEDs run hot, but nowhere near as hot as halogens.  The actual power used for an LED compared to the actual power used by an incandescent of the same brightness is a direct indication of how much less heat an LED lamp produces.  E.g. if an LED bulb with the same light output as the equivalent 60W halogen actually uses 36W of input power, it is producing 24W less heat energy than the halogen.

One thing to consider that is not evident in those numbers is that a halogen will produce its heat in front of the reflector, radiating much of its heat in the direction the light is shining.  Because an LED needs to be kept cooler than a halogen, direct replacement bulbs are designed with a heat sink (sometimes including a small a fan) that pulls much of the heat away from the diode and radiates it within the headlight housing behind the reflector.  In this sense an LED could run hotter, although I haven't seen test results.

[mbramley]

 I bought Josh's adapter and a bulb from him. I have only used it a couple of times so far (N.E. Ohio weather) but so far I love it. I can see the sides of the road much better and forward is much better also.

[savy265]

tks  for  the  advice, but  because  of  focusing issues and  heat  issues  i  decided  just  go  with a  halogen bulb .  i  had  a  hid  on  my  other  bike and on  high  beam the  light  was  very diffused .