Alternative for Pod lights?

[Ramie]

I was directed over here by Mr. Bubbles, i've been looking for some extra lighting on my I/S as was told Red Diamond had a way to mount some 55 watt led on the lower bolt of the pod.  would be interested in seeing some pics and some link or what ever info is availabe.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I'll give him a call and get him to check board.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

He won't be home till this even so he's post later tonight.

[Ramie]

Appreciate it.

[Steve K (IA)]

Hi guys, ya, I'm following you around.    I'm interested about this also.  Need to put some driving lights on my Std that I put I/S pods and a Hoppe fairing on.  Was going to go out to J&P's and pick up another pair of the Chris lights, but if what Red Diamond has come up with is an easier mount..........

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

 Very easy mount and low draw on the battery. I can't post photos from work computer or I would send pictures of mine. the housing are from walmart or Oreilly's 20 to 25 dollars depending weather up want wires from bottom or rear of lights. bulbs from Home Depot about 20 dollars each.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

these are the ones the the wire exits from the rear. you can search more on web for more  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Optronics-55w-Pair-Driving-Light-Kit/16680058

[Red Diamond]

Mr. B I'm home now and will post pictures in a little while. I would not recommend the lights from Wally World as the lense tends to come off with vibration, the O'Riely's are fastened with a screw and have a better mounting.

[MarcusS]

I purchased the O riely 20$ driving lights and put 5W CREED LED COB MR16 bulbs in them.  The Usual replacement is a 4W-30 watt equivalent.

These are very bright even in daylight. I had to make customer connectors as the stock plug was to long to fit in the housing with the bulb I got.

[Red Diamond]

Here are a couple of pics of the mounting I used. Marcus is right about the LED replacement which I and Mr B did, although the bipin MR16 LED's we used required nothing custom, just plug and play. Be sure to wire in a relay even there is only about a 7-8 watt draw for each bulb, the halogens are very hot with 35-50 watt draw per bulb. The LED's are just barely warm to the touch.

Mounted on the bottom POD screw, remove the POD to install the square bracket. Notice I replace all existing screws and bolts with chrome ones.


Lights lit, they are bright, the pics may do them no justice.

[Red Diamond]

Forgot to mention, don't tighten that Pod screw to the point of cracking the Pod plastic. You can find the direct replacement LED at HomeDepot or order them on the Internet, just be sure the discription says 12V. The ones I got from HDepot also says suitable for damp location, no problems so far even in driving rain. The ones on the I/S are 50W Cree equivalents with an 8W draw, I could not find anymore of the 6 LEDs when I installed them on the other 2 bikes. Hope this helps, ride safely.

[Ramie]

Thanks for the pics, I like the simplicity of them.  did you put anything between the mount bracket and the pod plastic or just bolt them on?  I looks like O'Reilly's doesn't carry them any more or at least I can't find them on their website, do you remember the manufacture?

[Red Diamond]

If I remember there may have been a square rubber shim between the bracket and the Pod plastic, don't quote me on that but you probably need to install some type of rubber there. If there is an O'rielly near you, it may be better to go to the store. These are the same DL20 lights Rivco was selling for over $100, it has been a while since the install and I don't remember the Manufacturer. I can check locally and get that info for you tomorrow if you would like.

[Ramie]

Thanks Red I'll check some around here and update here.  If by chance you do stop in one maybe they would have a part number for them.  I appreciate all the help.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

 I believe Optronics 55w Pair Driving Light Kit  made both lights  but could not find the on Oreilly's website either.

[Ramie]

I bought the Optronics  55w from Wally world.  I can see where the lens collar could easily come off so i plan on sticking a small screw in each one so it can't come loose unless i want it to.  I looked at installing them yesterday but ended up fixing the inner faring nuts.  Was planning on having to pull the tank to run wires but found a couple of spare wires the PO had run to the faring so i'll just place the relay somewhere in the faring and use one the spare wires for power and switch off the blue/white wire.  The lights came with a cushioning pad for each mounting bracket, I won't be using the wires or the switch that came with the kit, got a different switch and plan on mounting in one of the pods.  I'll post some pics when i'm done, thanks for all the help.

[Red Diamond]

Good deal, don't think the ones we are running are available anymore.

[nogrey]

Before you go out and by a gigawatt incandescent from the Walley-man and burn up your alternator, take a look here: https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/mini-auxiliary-lights/
I've purchased a lot of their products and never had an issue. All good stuff. Low wattage, hi lumens.

[Ramie]

Thanks for info nogrey, if these don't work out I will look at those.  There are enough people running them or similar ones that's why I went with them, i'll be mounting them to the lower corner of the pods, wiring everything through a switch relay.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

If I remember right these only draw about 8 watts combined. I have a volt guage on my bike and when I turn these on the needle doesn't even move.

[Red Diamond]

Don't forget, just remove that heat generating halogen and replace it with a MR16 LED 12V bi pin with a GU5.? Base. Try this site and there are many more.
https://www.1000bulbs.com
Or as was mentioned before, your local HomeDepot.

[Houdini]

Don't forget, just remove that heat generating halogen and replace it with a MR16 LED 12V bi pin with a GU5.? Base. Try this site and there are many more.
https://www.1000bulbs.com
Or as was mentioned before, your local HomeDepot.

Just out of curiosity, how do these LED's compare to the heat generating halogen in light output?  I can't seem to find any LED's that come close to the performance of the incandescent bulbs.  Most light up about 20 - 30 yards really well and then nothing....

[Red Diamond]

These are attention getters in the day for me Houdini, they seem to add a fair amount of brightness at night, although I try to steer clear of night riding. Remember they are driving lights, I don't think they will compare to the LED headlights used in cars if that is what you are looking for.

[MarcusS]

I you want a comparison of how bright these are compared to the sun look at my post above on the 18th.  Look at the trim just above my headlight and you can see a reflection of the full sun at 11AM then compare it to the two pod lights.  Looks like the sun is almost twice as bright with a direct reflection. The pods are not even pointed at the camera.

I leave the pods on all day as they do not draw much amps or get hot.

[Ramie]

Don't forget, just remove that heat generating halogen and replace it with a MR16 LED 12V bi pin with a GU5.? Base. Try this site and there are many more.
https://www.1000bulbs.com
Or as was mentioned before, your local HomeDepot.

Thanks for reminding me, I just finished installing them after work haven't taken any pics yet.  I was surprised at how hot they got.  I'll stop on the way home tomorrow and pic some MR16 LED bulbs up.  Thanks again for all your help.

[Red Diamond]

Just in case the Wally Worlds don't work for you, go to Amazon, do a search for "Blazer RE770R", you can get a pair for $13+, I got 2, don't know why.

[Ramie]

Picked up the LED's and finished up.





Hopefully they'll be able to see me coming a little better.
I didn't notice if the kit nogrey pointed out to me came with a relay but I figure that I ended up spending about the same or maybe a little more that that kit cost.  I did have all the connectors I needed already but I'm happy with the results, Thanks again Red and Bubbles you guys are great thanks for sharing.

Rick

[Red Diamond]

Glad you got it done, I do believe you will be seen. Lol