HID headlight quit

[..]

Left bike turned on lunchtime Saturday.

Had to bump it to start it.

On the way home I noticed the headlight was out.

Turned on auxiliary lights.

Opened up the headlight and all wiring to bulb is good and the spring activation that moves the bulb from low to high to low beam position still works but no light in bulb. The spring activation is triggered by the OEM low / high beam switch.

Put in new bulb. No difference, bulb moves from low to high to low but no light from bulb.

Could it be HID ballast / transformer?

With my crap electrical skills how do I test it with a volt meter?

Simple English instructions please.

TIA

[DenverDave]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac7G7xOG2Ag

Sorry I couldn't help myself   

[WintrSol]

I don't think you can test the HID ballast with a Volt meter. It generates a relatively high Voltage, much like a ballast for a fluorescent lamp, and for the same reason: to start the electric arc in the gas tube. The operating Voltage is less, once the lamp is lit, also like the fluorescent lamp, but a common Volt meter is, at least, unsafe to attempt the measurements, an may not be capable. Without specialized test equipment, the best test is with a replacement ballast, assuming all the connections are sound.

[..]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac7G7xOG2Ag

Sorry I couldn't help myself   

Now why didn't I think of that.

I had kinda thought it was the overhead rescindacator or the flux capacitor.

[..]

I don't think you can test the HID ballast with a Volt meter. It generates a relatively high Voltage, much like a ballast for a fluorescent lamp, and for the same reason: to start the electric arc in the gas tube. The operating Voltage is less, once the lamp is lit, also like the fluorescent lamp, but a common Volt meter is, at least, unsafe to attempt the measurements, an may not be capable. Without specialized test equipment, the best test is with a replacement ballast, assuming all the connections are sound.

Thanks.

[WintrSol]

Are you sure the lamp socket is getting power? Did you replace the HID connector with an H4 bulb? I suppose it is, because you said the hi/lo relay is responding, unless the Voltage is too low to fire off the ballast.

[DarkSideR]

Am I missing something or should the obvious and easiest thing be checked first? The fuses?

[..]

Am I missing something or should the obvious and easiest thing be check first? The fuses?

Yep and I did.

If the high low high bulb position is still working it shows that some current is gettign to the bulb. Just not enough to illuminate the bulb.

[DarkSideR]

Am I missing something or should the obvious and easiest thing be check first? The fuses?

Yep and I did.

If the high low high bulb position is still working it shows that some current is gettign to the bulb. Just not enough to illuminate the bulb.

Gotcha,

Well, if you get tired/frustrated with the HID, you must know by now that Plug-N-Play LED DayMaker headlights are now an option with my adapter bracket. I have never seen nor heard of an issue with a DayMaker. Let me know if you want to go that route.

[..]

Am I missing something or should the obvious and easiest thing be check first? The fuses?

Yep and I did.

If the high low high bulb position is still working it shows that some current is gettign to the bulb. Just not enough to illuminate the bulb.

Gotcha,

Well, if you get tired/frustrated with the HID, you must know by now that Plug-N-Play LED DayMaker headlights are now an option with my adapter bracket. I have never seen nor heard of an issue with a DayMaker. Let me know if you want to go that route.

Do you have any links to suitable Daymakers? Is it a 7 1/2 inch?

[DarkSideR]

Am I missing something or should the obvious and easiest thing be check first? The fuses?

Yep and I did.

If the high low high bulb position is still working it shows that some current is gettign to the bulb. Just not enough to illuminate the bulb.

Gotcha,

Well, if you get tired/frustrated with the HID, you must know by now that Plug-N-Play LED DayMaker headlights are now an option with my adapter bracket. I have never seen nor heard of an issue with a DayMaker. Let me know if you want to go that route.

Do you have any links to suitable Daymakers? Is it a 7 1/2 inch?

There is a wide, wide world of 7" DayMakers out there. From basic to ones to headlights you can control via bluetooth and an app on your phone. From LEDs that just put out light to Adaptive units that illuminate as you go around corners. Headlights from $50 to $800.

Selecting a headlight can be hard, here is a list of headlights to get you started.
Want the Best?
- http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/led-headlights-model-8700-evolution-2/
Want something in the middle?
- https://www.eaglelites.com/collections/7-led-headlights
On a budget?
- https://www.scootlights.com/collections/daymaker-7

There are many headlights to choose from, however;
- Stay away from Jeep Headlights (they don't fit in my bracket)
- Buy 50 watt fixtures (or less). (Higher wattage's will strain your wiring, and some of the housing are different and won't fit in the bracket)
- FYI - Halo fixtures are cool, but they require extra wiring.
  + non-halo 7" fixtures are literally plug-n-play.

If you want to go this route check out my installation video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K48cp45_h6Q). Let me know if you need a bracket!

[..]

Am I missing something or should the obvious and easiest thing be check first? The fuses?

Yep and I did.

If the high low high bulb position is still working it shows that some current is gettign to the bulb. Just not enough to illuminate the bulb.

Gotcha,

Well, if you get tired/frustrated with the HID, you must know by now that Plug-N-Play LED DayMaker headlights are now an option with my adapter bracket. I have never seen nor heard of an issue with a DayMaker. Let me know if you want to go that route.

Do you have any links to suitable Daymakers? Is it a 7 1/2 inch?

There is a wide, wide world of 7" DayMakers out there. From basic to ones to headlights you can control via bluetooth and an app on your phone. From LEDs that just put out light to Adaptive units that illuminate as you go around corners. Headlights from $50 to $800.

Selecting a headlight can be hard, here is a list of headlights to get you started.
Want the Best?
- http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/led-headlights-model-8700-evolution-2/
Want something in the middle?
- https://www.eaglelites.com/collections/7-led-headlights
On a budget?
- https://www.scootlights.com/collections/daymaker-7

There are many headlights to choose from, however;
- Stay away from Jeep Headlights (they don't fit in my bracket)
- Buy 50 watt fixtures (or less). (Higher wattage's will strain your wiring, and some of the housing are different and won't fit in the bracket)
- FYI - Halo fixtures are cool, but they require extra wiring.
 + non-halo 7" fixtures are literally plug-n-play.

If you want to go this route check out my installation video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K48cp45_h6Q). Let me know if you need a bracket!

Good video. Well done.

[..]

Like this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-inch-Motorcycle-Projector-Daymaker-HID-4LED-Light-Bulb-Headlight-for-Harley-US-/231690294199?hash=item35f1d153b7:g:JSIAAOSwHjNV-Sba&vxp=mtr

[DarkSideR]

Like this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-inch-Motorcycle-Projector-Daymaker-HID-4LED-Light-Bulb-Headlight-for-Harley-US-/231690294199?hash=item35f1d153b7:g:JSIAAOSwHjNV-Sba&vxp=mtr

That one will work  . Email me ValkyrieJosh@gmail.com with your shipping address and I can get you a quote on a bracket.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Like this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-inch-Motorcycle-Projector-Daymaker-HID-4LED-Light-Bulb-Headlight-for-Harley-US-/231690294199?hash=item35f1d153b7:g:JSIAAOSwHjNV-Sba&vxp=mtr

Dang, I didn't realize the Chinese typed with an accent also.  Halley ?

[DarkSideR]

Like this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-inch-Motorcycle-Projector-Daymaker-HID-4LED-Light-Bulb-Headlight-for-Harley-US-/231690294199?hash=item35f1d153b7:g:JSIAAOSwHjNV-Sba&vxp=mtr

Dang, I didn't realize the Chinese typed with an accent also.  Halley ?

LOL, gotta love Ebay.

[firea100]

Can You please recommend a Daymaker set up for an Interstate?

Thanks,
Larry In East China Mi.

[DarkSideR]

Can You please recommend a Daymaker set up for an Interstate?

Thanks,
Larry In East China Mi.

I'm sorry, no DayMaker option for the interstate whereas they are only 7" & 5-3/4" in size. You will have have to find an LED H-4 replacement.

[firea100]

Very good! Thank you for the reply!

[hubcapsc]

Steel Cowboy did it:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,95207.0.html

-Mike

[MarkT]

Can You please recommend a Daymaker set up for an Interstate?

Thanks,
Larry In East China Mi.

I'm sorry, no DayMaker option for the interstate whereas they are only 7" & 5-3/4" in size. You will have have to find an LED H-4 replacement.

I thought we had found a good H4 LED replacement bulb - and it is pretty good.  Puts the LED emitters in exactly the same place and size as the tungston filiments it replaces.  But it's still not better than my 130/90 bulbs with my hi-power relay mod (which BonS packaged nicely in his Smart Switch).  So I went back to the H4's on Jade - but left the new LED bulb in George.  It does have a nice white color light, and it's really bright.  Just doesn't illuminate like a really powerful H4 does.  That bulb might be a great solution on a Interstate dual headlight setup - Seth, waddaya say - didja put it in your new I/S?

I think if one wants to use LEDs for headlights - the best soln is pick one of the LED headlight fixtures which are engineered to properly focus the LED emitter's light downrange - like one of the Daymakers. I'm guessing someone will put together a kit to mount Daymakers in the Interstate - like Steel Cowboy's prototype.  Josh?  There's a market there albeit not a big or ongoing one.

[Valkorado]

I put a couple of these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-160W-16000LM-LED-Headlight-Bulbs-Philips-H4-9003-Plug-Bulb-White-6000K-Hi-L-/142096084883?hash=item2115962f93:g:tzoAAOSwV0RXvWtI&vxp=mtr

in my Interstate's bucket.  There they are going to stay.  They're the best LED bulbs I've tried.  Looks like they've bumped them from $39.99 to 49.99 for the pair.  I've seen pairs going for over $100.  These bulbs are angle adjustable and the cooling fins unscrew and reinstall behind the OEM dust covers, making for a simple install.

[..]

2 new ballasts from Amazon and "let there be light!"

One spare.

[..]

Well poo.

The new ballast I put on has also quit. It was fine but then started working intermittently.

So I'm down to one left. I just plugged that one in and hey presto let there be light.

The last thing I did to the bike was add 2 LED driving lights at the front. This was done prior to the original ballast quitting.

One of the LED's quit working but is still in place.

So I'm going to remove the LED's and see if that was making the ballast stop working.

[Funbaldguy]

I hope not using the extra LEDs fixed your problem. I have one of joshes brackets in my 97.  Loving it, very happy to not have to worry about light burning out sometime I'm not ready or prepared. Josh was helpful. Bracket arrived quickly. Easy easy

[..]

If the Start button doesn't fully return does that cut power to the headlight?

Could that be my problem?

[..]

Ah Ha!

I took my front wheel to get tire replaced.

Whilst waiting for a call about tire I decided to open up the headlight shell again and take another look.

Theresalotta wiring involved with HID. Relays and other mysterious gubbins.

I pulled it out from the shell and TA - DA there's an inline fuse holder. Big auto style fuse has blown. 15 amps.

Nipped to NAPA. Insert new fuse and Hey Presto let there be light.