SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> H4 LED headlight blubs
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1453064396

Message started by badwolf on 01/17/16 at 12:59:55

Title: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 01/17/16 at 12:59:55

I did a search for this and found some info, but I am looking for someone who has tried them and is using them, hates them, threw them away, loves them, or whatever. Someone with experience with them not just someone else's option or something "they heard from a buddy".
How about it, has anyone made the jump?
I am tossing around the idea of building a frame mounted faring and think dual 5" headlights would be different, and throw a lot more light. But 2 regular H4 bulbs might be too much for the S40. The LED bulbs draw much less current. Normal headlight draws 55/60 watts. I am thinking 2 X 20/40 in LED would light up even the back roads.
Anyone?

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by verslagen1 on 01/17/16 at 15:27:54

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1441896225

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1443596635

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1411594938

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 01/18/16 at 19:45:55

Verslagen, Thanks for the reply. I had found most of those, and the more I read and research the more confused I get. Tonight I tried a ''superbright'' H4 bulb (blueish) I forgot I had, and it does seem like a little more light to my eye. Suppose I'll stick to that till I decide to drop $300 on a GOOD led unit that is dot approved.
Does a bigger 7'' lens throw more light with the same bulb?

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by verslagen1 on 01/18/16 at 20:14:58

The stock bucket and lens will actually do a good job with the right bulb.
My LED bulb has an adapter for the H4 receptacle that gets loose and the bulb moves around.
and it varies from a good pattern, very bright to not so good.
with a standard bulb, it's a poor low beam and a good high beam.
if you can sink the bulb in a little bit then I thing the low beam would be better.
I think if you look around the net you'll find an explanation of all the types of bulbs. some have the same fittings with different dimensions.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Dave on 01/19/16 at 05:03:28

Please don't misunderstand my intentions.....the stock headlight is not very good, and it can stand some improvement. However.....I am not a fan of throwing LED lights into a housing it was not built for, as the low beam light is not well controlled (and it is not legal to install the LED lights in normal bulbs....that is why all the sellers state that the bulbs are for "Off Road Use Only". The vertical cut off is not provided in most cheap LED lights, and you end up throwing a lot of light into the faces of the oncoming traffic. There are several folks in the area where I live that have put the LED lights in their cars and trucks, and when they are behind me I can see the outline of my car reflecting in all the road signs and bridges as we pass.....and my rear view mirrors are blinding (and it is even worse when they are coming straight at you on our narrow county roads).

This is what a proper headlight does on the low beam - it limits the amount of light that shines upward.
http://i65.tinypic.com/kd7ckx.jpg

When you put a bulb in without the proper vertical control, the light shines upward and is blinding to other drivers.
http://i63.tinypic.com/28gaq.jpg

Good LED H4 bulbs have a vertical cut off built in to the low beam light. You can see the bulb below has a molded shield that prevents the low beam light from shining upward.
http://i68.tinypic.com/2wgvpex.jpg

The CREE and other lesser quality bulbs don't have any vertical cut off built in, and they don't properly control the light shining upward when using the low beam.
http://i63.tinypic.com/2e2nxv7.jpg

There is a thread in the Honda ST forum that shows the work they did to modify the LED bulbs to get the needed vertical cut off for the low beams. This reduces the "glare" that results when the bulb doesn't control the low beam properly.
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?146534-How-to-modify-H4-led-to-reduce-glare-ST1300

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Dave on 01/19/16 at 05:11:11

3D3F2C322C2E363F372C5E0 wrote:

Tonight I tried a ''superbright'' H4 bulb (blueish) I forgot I had, and it does seem like a little more light to my eye.

Does a bigger 7'' lens throw more light with the same bulb?

When you buy regular filament bulbs, try to buy the ones with the clearest glass possible. The blue coating might make a "kewl" color - but it actually filters out some of the light spectrum that illuminates the deer and other brown things along the roadway. You will see better with the filament shining all the light down the road - it is best for visibility if you don't tint the light with a colored bulb.

The size of the reflector doesn't make a bunch of a difference - what matters is the quality of the reflector and lens, and the Savage headlight just isn't very good at properly aiming the light.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Dave on 01/19/16 at 05:16:37

According to the ST Forum, this LED headlight bulb already has the necessary shields built in.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141854486810

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 01/19/16 at 06:08:08

Dave, Thanks, that is very helpful. The Super Bright LEDs site has some very good stuff with specs in American English I can understand. Looks like this would be the way to go for a 7" , price is steep thou.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/motorcycle-led-bulbs/7-round-sealed-beam-motorcycle-headlight-dot-approved-led-headlight-conversion/3149/#/tab/Specifications
I am looking at the smaller bulbs to brighten up the back, and things could get interesting.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Dave on 01/19/16 at 06:15:44

For the tail/brake light bulb......this is an excellent one for the Savage, or any light housing that has a lens that has been molded with the little diamond shaped surface to disperse the light. (It doesn't work well in lights that use a clear lens and a fluted reflector).

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/s-series-bulbs/1157-led-bulb-w-brake-flasher-dual-function-1-high-power-led-bay15d-retrofit-car/923/2274/

The bulb flashes 3 times whenever you apply the brake, and it does attract attention.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by stewmills on 01/19/16 at 21:30:39

615A5740515D46405B535E41320 wrote:

i have that bulb in my tail light. works well. no complaints.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by thumperclone on 01/19/16 at 22:07:22

I click the front brake lever to flash
I also have dual circuit (run and brake) led flex strips in the plate frame and on the rack
& single circuit (brake only) license plate led bolts

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Dave on 01/20/16 at 02:13:47

One of the best headlight upgrades you can do.....is to find a headlight bucket that will accept a 7" assembly. Then find a 7" diameter "E code" headlight from Cibie or Hella. The E code headlight is the European lens, and it has a better light pattern than the DOT version. You can find them on eBay regularly - or buy them form Daniel Stern lighting. (Be sure you buy a left hand drive version(right side of road)....some are made for driving in the right lane (right hand drive)and the pattern will be wrong).

http://danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331747110694?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrB8pLGXZ9WYzQA.akunIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTIzbWYyNGYzBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAM4MWNlYTJlZjZiNTk3MmY2M2RiN2M2YTc3MTg2ZjFmYgRncG9zAzM3BGl0A2Jpbmc-?.origin=&back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fyhs%2Fsearch%3Fp%3De%2Bcode%2Bhealight%2Bpattern%26n%3D60%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dyhs-mozilla-004%26fr2%3Dsb-top-images.search.yahoo.com%26hsimp%3Dyhs-004%26hspart%3Dmozilla%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D37&w=1024&h=686&imgurl=www.retrofitlab.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F06%2FDOT-ECE-cutoff.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmbworld.org%2Fforums%2Fe-class-w211%2F515183-hid-conversation-bulb-holder-question.html&size=46.5KB&name=HID+Conversation+Bulb+Holder+Question+-+MBWorld.org+Forums&p=e+code+headlight+pattern&oid=81cea2ef6b5972f63db7c6a77186f1fb&fr2=sb-top-images.search.yahoo.com&fr=yhs-mozilla-004&rw=e+code+headlight+pattern&tt=HID+Conversation+Bulb+Holder+Question+-+MBWorld.org+Forums&b=0&ni=160&no=37&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=12oupivtk&sigb=15n05r8vp&sigi=126lmpp95&sigt=11q4tq3u9&sign=11q4tq3u9&.crumb=18Q2GEOgP8H&fr=yhs-mozilla-004&fr2=sb-top-images.search.yahoo.com&hsimp=yhs-004&hspart=mozilla

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Dave on 01/22/16 at 03:59:32

Here is a link to Amazon, where you can buy the LED lights with the "low beam shield" built in.

http://www.amazon.com/Headlight-Evitek-6500K-Easy-Installed-4500LM/dp/B017M566T4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1451400580&sr=8-3&keywords=EVITEK%20h4&tag=viglink20849-20

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 01/22/16 at 05:48:26

Dave, Do you know the difference tween the G6 and the G3?

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Srotag on 01/22/16 at 05:53:02

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/s-series-bulbs/1157-led-bulb-w-brake-flasher-dual-function-1-high-power-led-bay15d-retrofit-car/923/2274/

The bulb flashes 3 times whenever you apply the brake, and it does attract attention.[/quote]
i have that bulb in my tail light. works well. no complaints. [/quote]

Hey Stew did you use the resistor too or just change the bulb?
Thanks

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Dave on 01/22/16 at 06:08:25

73524F544147200 wrote:

Hey Stew did you use the resistor too or just change the bulb?
Thanks

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by stewmills on 01/22/16 at 10:02:06

79424F5849455E58434B46592A0 wrote:

[quote author=73524F544147200 link=1453064396/0#14 date=1453470782]
Hey Stew did you use the resistor too or just change the bulb?
Thanks

You don't need the resistor when you use this as a tail/brake light bulb .....as the brake light system does not have a flasher unit. You only need the resistor if you want to use this bulb in a turn signal.....and this really isn't a proper bulb for a turn signal....as I have no idea what kind of flashing you would get with the flasher unit trying to turn the bulb on and off....and the bulb trying to flash 3 times.

Superbright does offer this same bulb without the built in flasher....and that would be the proper bulb to use in a turn signal. Then you either need the resistor to make the bulb flash properly - or you need to convert your mechanical flasher unit to an electronic one. [/quote]

As Dave noted, nothing needed. Just plug and play.
I made a video of the old and new side by side and thought I had loaded it here previously but couldn't find it. I know where it is so let me see if i can load it maybe tonight. Nothing special. just an honest visual on what it looks like on the S40.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by stewmills on 01/22/16 at 11:08:39

Here's a link to the video. I can't get it to embed in the post itself. Please excuse the amateur editing...

Stock on left, flashing LED on right. It isn't blinking 3 times real fast each time as my battery was low, but when all is good with the bike it flashes 3 times as expected.
S40 light (http://tinypic.com/r/x5r0nb/9)

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 01/22/16 at 11:50:04

Stewmills, That bulb should get some attention! Down here people are either talking/texting on phone, high, in a hurry(I guess that means laws don't apply then.), or so old all you see is 2 hands and a little blue head.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by stewmills on 01/22/16 at 12:07:13

I like to think it helps. I'm in a college town and that means an exponentially higher number of kids hammering on a phone while driving. I still find myself massaging the brake to make it flash more frequently than the one minute interval. I'd rather them think there is a little tiny disco party underway in my tail light than rear-end me. :D

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 01/22/16 at 12:20:26

When I am riding my bicycle I notice ''target fixation'', people look at you and slowly veer towards you, then after they pass, roll back to the middle of the lane. You must remember if they can't see you thru the windshield = you don't exist. Hense the pass and immediately turn right, known as the ''right hook''.
The 4 lane west of me the weekend ''sportbike'' riders use as their personal race track. They love to pass close to a bike and ''buzz'' them at over 100 mph.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Srotag on 01/22/16 at 19:03:11

Thanks for the link and video Stew... bulb ordered. 8-) 8-)

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by old_rider on 01/22/16 at 22:31:25

4143504E50524A434B50220 wrote:

When riding your bicycle get one of these....
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WG4M146?psc=1

I have thought about attaching one to my savage... or making something similar....
Some of them even blink left or right side for turning...

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by KennyG on 01/22/16 at 23:06:02

Some years back my brother William rigged up an LED stop light attached to the back of his helmet......I am sure it was battery operated and used some kind of wireless technology to make the LED blink when he hit the brakes. I thought it was certainly worthwhile.

If I still rode at night I would take the time to figure out how to do it.

Kenny G

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by SinglesGoinSteady on 01/26/16 at 17:43:35

6A515C4B5A564D4B5058554A390 wrote:

Dave, do you have this installed on yours? Anyone else? Thx - Dave also

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Dave on 01/27/16 at 02:41:19

No....I have an 8" diameter headlight and a Silvania Silverstar bulb. The headlight bucket is from a Yamaha Virago and I don't think there is room in my headlight bucket for the back of the LED light.....the headlight bucket not very deep.

My car headlights are pretty crappy...and the Silverstars last less than a year in the car.

I do believe if you are going to buy LED bulbs....it is important to get ones that have the shields to prevent the glare when using the low beams.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by SinglesGoinSteady on 01/27/16 at 09:23:28

003B3621303C27213A323F20530 wrote:

I do believe if you are going to buy LED bulbs....it is important to get ones that have the shields to prevent the glare when using the low beams.

Roger that Dave.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 01/29/16 at 20:34:29

Installed 2 15w each led spot lights this afternoon, hooked them into the low beam circuit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191710069951?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Tried them out tonight, can't believe the difference! I can't see the low beam light now unless I cover the spots. They make everyone else's lights look yellow! You know how when someone comes up close behind you at night you can see your shadow ahead of you? Not now! I can aim them independently, and they must be ok cause no one flashed up at me.
I'll post a picture tomorrow, photobucket is down for maintenance.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Kris01 on 01/30/16 at 07:29:41

How much "wiggle room" does our electrical system have for add-ons like these?

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Dave on 01/30/16 at 10:23:26

162F342E6D6C5D0 wrote:

How much "wiggle room" does our electrical system have for add-ons like these?

Well....badwolf might be able to tell us before too long, as he had added 30 watts of light.

It is reported that we only have 100 Watts of power from the charging system. If the low beam is 55 watts, and each of the front running lights and tail light is 8 watts each (24 total), and there are 2 lights in the speedometer that are 3 watts each (6 total)....that adds up to 85 watts on the stock bike. Add 30 watts for the new driving lights, and you are at 115 watts....which doesn't appear to leave anything to charge the battery, run the turn signals or brake light.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Kris01 on 01/30/16 at 12:34:23

That's kind of what I was thinking.

Is there a donor bike that we could "borrow" a higher output charging system from? What about rewiring the stator or something?

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by Dave on 01/30/16 at 15:37:35

Word on the street is that this is a "balanced" system. The stuff rotor on the crank has permanent magnets, and it therefore charges at the full rate all the time, and most of it is used up by the bike. What ever isn't needed is bled off by the rectifier/voltage regulator....and is converted to heat. If you install a stator with the ability to make more power....it could exceed the capacity of the rectifier and burn it up.

I have never heard of anyone installing a larger charging system on the Savage.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 01/30/16 at 16:59:38

Alright I finally got the picture up. Yes I am going to keep a real close watch on the battery level. I don't ride a lot at night, and will keep it on high beam during the day ( the new lights are on the low beam circuit).
But this is the best I have ever been able to see at night. I plan on going to a led 40/20 watt headlight unit then just wire them to a toggle switch. 40 high beam plus 30 spot lights is 10 over stock, but leds in back and t/s should get it close to stock load. Not like I'm plugging in a electric suit or gloves. I have to change the speedo bulb too, it looks like it is lit-up by a candle now. I guess their light temp (6000 +) is what makes normal bulbs seam yellow to the eye.
These little lights fit in easy just under the sides of the headlight, a flat piece of aluminum sandwiched under the headlight with tabs bent up to mount them to.

This is with the camera flash, bulbs all off.

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp198/carlrphair/IMG_0255_zpsmczqffih.jpg

lights on, not running, no flash

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp198/carlrphair/IMG_0256_zpsh4f2bppb.jpg

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 02/27/16 at 13:59:55

I made the plunge $$$ for a 20/40w led headlight bulb and a new ''can'' to mount it in.
http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp198/carlrphair/s40/led%20h.lite%20front_zpswaby7gmm.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp198/carlrphair/s40/led%20h.lite%20angle_zpsvy9ksvc5.jpg

All I can say is''WOW''. Not cheap, but worth it! Now with the 2x15w spot lights it draws 50/70w just a little over the stock 55/60w H4 bulb. I don't use high beam around town, and over the road when on high the engine is turning fast enough for full voltage output.
If anyone else wants to try this, get the bulb, then make sure it fits in the ''can'' BEFORE you buy it. The led bulbs are bigger in back and won't fit in a small unit. (Without a lot of fileing, grinding, and really bad language.) None of the other wiring behind the stock bulb will fit or the ballast thingie. That s why I wrapped around the fork tubes, to hide/protect a huge mess of wires. On the plus side, the wrapping did stop a surprisingly large amount of turbulent airflow into the tank and up onto my chest

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by smokin_blue on 02/28/16 at 07:57:05

I like the wrap. What did you make it out of? Can you share details and/or pics of the construction?

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 02/28/16 at 15:26:45

Blue, It's just a old piece of Naugahyde I had laying around. 16"x6.5" with folded ends and 2 - 6" nylon straps and Velcro sewn on. If I made another I'd go 17"-17.5" x 6.5" then cut the straps to length before sewing on the Velcro.
Thanks for the idea about the Yam 4.2 gal tank. I have one with the mounts made and am working on a new seat, inst panel, and a little body work before paint. I really wanted to get a 200 mile range on this bike. My 91 year old mother lives 190 miles across state and I make the round trip at least once a month.

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp198/carlrphair/s40/IMG_0272_zpsvwlzbvdi.jpg

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 03/06/16 at 17:33:49

Update.... Came home 120 miles last night from roller derby on the Interstate at 65-70 and never needed the high beam. Angled the right spot out a little to light up the shoulder some and saw 2 deer off the pavement eating about 100 yards before I got to them. I am liking riding at night much better now.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by 12Bravo on 03/16/16 at 15:57:28

Badwolf, where did you get that LED headlight from?

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 03/16/16 at 16:13:26

Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-3-4-inch-MOTORCYCLE-DAYMAKER-PROJECTOR-HID-LED-LAMP-BULB-HEADLIGHT-for-Harley-/111923015996?hash=item1a0f21b13c:g:IEIAAOSwT6pVi3mS

I got it thru a auction of his for $66.00. Keep a eye out as he sells them by auction and outright. You WILL need a big housing to mount it, but once you try it you won't mind the cost.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by 12Bravo on 03/17/16 at 05:29:56

5F5D4E504E4C545D554E3C0 wrote:

If it's anything like the day maker on my Ultra Limited, I'm sure I will.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by springman on 06/12/16 at 15:01:43

Badwolf, you say you need a big can for the light so I am guessing it will not fit in our original can. What can did you get, where and for how much? Thanks.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by badwolf on 06/12/16 at 19:35:54

Badwolf, you say you need a big can for the light so I am guessing it will not fit in our original can. What can did you get, where and for how much? Thanks.

I got the can off ebay, but spent about 2 or 3 hours making the bulb fit....NOT FUN! Get the bulb first,then you can measure it BEFORE you buy a can. Go to a salvage yard if possible bulb in hand, or a custom bike shop, any shop that builds custom Harleys will have old or odd parts around they will get rid of for cash.
It's not the easiest mod to do, but you will love it every time you ride at night. I got my PC800 going now, and the 80/100 watt H4 bulb in that I used to love now seems dim.

Title: Re: H4 LED headlight blubs
Post by springman on 06/16/16 at 15:16:30

Thanks Badwolf. I've seen some HD headlight buckets on eBay for relatively cheap. Might just be easier to buy the 7" HD bucket and the 7" daymaker that will fit that specific model HD bucket. Or maybe just do an LED conversion. I do not believe I am as mechanically gifted as you. :(