Question re. LED headlights & driving lights.

[John Schmidt]

Re. the headlight, I'm cramped for room in my light bucket so I'm wondering if the LED unit is any bigger than the OEM unit and does it create a lot of heat? Don't need insulation melting off wires in there. As for the driving lights/passing lights...whatever...is there a smaller unit anyone has used to convert them? If I can find something that will work, I'll be totally LED. I've already converted everything else, just using Halogen on the headlight and driving lights.

[..]

Josh's video may help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K48cp45_h6Q

[DarkSideR]

John,

I manufacture a bracket allowing an LED DayMaker Headlight Fixture to be installed in our beloved Valkyries. The bracket allows the 7" LED to seamlessly be installed retaining the ability to adjust your headlight without major or permanent modifications.

I have been running different DayMakers in my bike for over a year now with no issues whatsoever. You can get yourself in trouble by using a higher wattage fixture but there is no need to do that. The 45-50 watt DayMakers already put out more than twice as much light as your standard halogen bulb. So melting wiring with a 45-50 watt fixture is a non issue. However I recently install the BonS Smart Switch, and am running a 60 watt fixture (60 watts because it has a daytime running light). I haven't had any problems with this combination.

As for room in the headlight bucket. You will have more room in the headlight bucket whereas the DayMaker fixture is smaller than the stock reflector housing.
 
For the 4.5" spot lights. I have a Cobra Light Bar. I bought the 4.5" spots from Scootlights.com, but please understand that I had to modify them to fit. Below are instructions;
 - There is no room in the housing for an electrical connection, cut that off.
 - There is no room in the housing for the wiring harness, cut the thick plastic shielding off so that just the 2 individual wires are left.
 - I soldered, and heat shrank the wiring connections in the housing.
 - Lastly I used a small piece of foam behind the light to keep it in place.
 - I have ran the 4.5" spots this way for almost a year with no issues. They seal up well and compliment the 7" LED.

There are a plethora of headlights out there to choose from. I will get you started with some links below;
Want to buy USA?
 - http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/led-headlights-model-8700-evolution-2/[jwspeaker.com]
  + Though this is the more expensive option it does have the best performance.
Want something in the middle?
 - https://www.eaglelites.com/collections/7-led-headlights[eaglelites.com]
  + These are better than all the chinese knock-offs you will find on Ebay.
On a Budget?
 - https://www.scootlights.com/collections/daymaker-7[scootlights.com]
  + These are Chinese brand but rep'd and distributed here in the USA (meaning quick shipping and good customer service).
Ebay/Amazon
 - You can do a search for 7" LED DayMaker and find all the cheap Chinese headlights available. Beware some are literally shipped from china!
 
You are more than welcome to buy outside of those options above. Like I said there are a ton out there. Just keep in mind;
 - Stay away from any headlight that says they work in Jeeps. Most do not fit my bracket. Buy a motorcycle specific headlight.
 - Buy a 50 watt fixture. It might be tempting to buy a 70 watt, don't. The 50 watt already puts out more light than your stock, and your wiring cannot handle 70 watts.
 - If you buy a Halo headlight you will need to do additional wiring, but a non-halo is literally plug-n-play.

If I have sparked your interest in LED DayMaker Fixtures. Email me ValkyrieJosh@gmail.com for a quote on a bracket. And as posted above watch the installation video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K48cp45_h6Q) to see how easy it is.

Hope this helps,

DarkSider  

Here is a shot of my lights so you can see how clean everything is.

[..]

John, Dana from KS just installed this using one of Josh's brackets.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201785330381

[John Schmidt]

I watched the installation video and was immediately put at a disadvantage; it calls for a clean rag and a flat surface. I could probably make use of the kitchen table, still looking for the rag since my wife is very protective of her old sheets and pillow cases. 

As for room in the bucket, with the stuff I've added I barely have enough room for the OEM lamp. I'll have to take some measurements to see how the LED compares in size. Just wondering....do they create more heat or was that addressed? If so, I missed it.

[..]

I watched the installation video and was immediately put at a disadvantage; it calls for a clean rag and a flat surface. I could probably make use of the kitchen table, still looking for the rag since my wife is very protective of her old sheets and pillow cases.  

As for room in the bucket, with the stuff I've added I barely have enough room for the OEM lamp. I'll have to take some measurements to see how the LED compares in size. Just wondering....do they create more heat or was that addressed? If so, I missed it.

Is it time for a http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Wiring_Kits/Fuseboxes/PC-8/pc-8.html

[DarkSideR]

I watched the installation video and was immediately put at a disadvantage; it calls for a clean rag and a flat surface. I could probably make use of the kitchen table, still looking for the rag since my wife is very protective of her old sheets and pillow cases. 

As for room in the bucket, with the stuff I've added I barely have enough room for the OEM lamp. I'll have to take some measurements to see how the LED compares in size. Just wondering....do they create more heat or was that addressed? If so, I missed it.

You will have a little more room, because.. The existing OEM reflector housing has a black rubber boot that sticks out about 3/4" off the back of the housing. The DayMaker fixture does not have that, whereas it's just flat on the back.

Heat.. I don't specifically know how warm the fixtures metal housing becomes. If you look at the back of the DayMaker headlight you will notice its basically one big heat sink. For the amount of metal distributing heat I can't image it getting to hot. Additionally I have done some research on the matter and keep reading from the manufactures that the headlight fixtures don't produce any heat.

Like I said I have been running Daymaker LED's for over a year now, also in a cramped headlight bucket. I have inspected and haven't seen any sign of heat. You should be good to go. 

[John Schmidt]

I watched the installation video and was immediately put at a disadvantage; it calls for a clean rag and a flat surface. I could probably make use of the kitchen table, still looking for the rag since my wife is very protective of her old sheets and pillow cases.  

As for room in the bucket, with the stuff I've added I barely have enough room for the OEM lamp. I'll have to take some measurements to see how the LED compares in size. Just wondering....do they create more heat or was that addressed? If so, I missed it.

Is it time for a http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Wiring_Kits/Fuseboxes/PC-8/pc-8.html

I made one up some years ago and mounted under the rt. side cover. Not as pretty as those PC models but it works the same way.

[Funbaldguy]

I just put a day maker in last weekend using Josh's bracket. Yes more room inside bucket. Much brighter light. My 2nd reason was less worry,a lifetime without needing to replace. I have heard over and over led operate cooler.
Besides if you have changed the rest, why not??
The only thing I wish the bracket had a beauty ring. Although not much room.

[DarkSideR]

I just put a day maker in last weekend using Josh's bracket. Yes more room inside bucket. Much brighter light. My 2nd reason was less worry,a lifetime without needing to replace. I have heard over and over led operate cooler.
Besides if you have changed the rest, why not??
The only thing I wish the bracket had a beauty ring. Although not much room.

Oh there's a beauty ring, but it's not easy or cheap.
 - Buy this ring (https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Lights-Adapter-Headlights-Chrome/dp/B010VUKDJQ)
 - Unbolt the top from the bottom.
 - Cut off all the tabs.
 - Cut relief cuts for the brackets clamp.
 - Drill holes for set screws, and tap.
 - Fit over bracket and tighten set screws.

After all that the Stainless Steel Bracket doesn't look so bad does it? 

[Bagger John - #3785]

This topic is relevant to my interests. Bought Josh's bracket last year and am now getting around to selecting a light. The Eagles look pretty decent and get good reviews...is anyone on the board running a set?

[Gryphon Rider]

...and does it create a lot of heat? Don't need insulation melting off wires in there.

Figures I've heard bandied about say that a halogen lamp uses 20% of its power to produce light, and 80% to produce heat; an LED uses 80% to produce light, and 20% to produce heat.  So your 55W H4 halogen will produce 44W of heat, and a 23W LED (H4 form) advertised to produce 200% more light will produce 4.6W of heat.

[DarkSideR]

This topic is relevant to my interests. Bought Josh's bracket last year and am now getting around to selecting a light. The Eagles look pretty decent and get good reviews...is anyone on the board running a set?

I have a couple of customers running the Eagle Lights. I haven't heard of any problems.