LED Headlight Bulbs

[crazy joe]

Just a thought but don't you need the proper
reflector to get the full benefits from the LED?

[crazy joe]

/\

[easyricer]

Well I got a set of these in and we tried them on a buddies Indian Chieftain. Since the Indian is a CanBuss system, these came on, with incredibly bright and seemingly well focused light but after about 5 seconds shut off and a trouble code came up as well as a prompt on the dash that the headlight failed. On a side note, when the headlight went off the spotlights automatically came on. That was a nice surprise. I'll be ordering a load equalizer to make up for the power draw needed.
We also tried an HID system... While it was bright as hell, it was far too defused by the factory reflector to be useful and the low beam was useless.
I've used the HIDs on my 2000 Roadglide before and they were a godsend, but the Roadglide has much smaller reflectors.
I'll add a new comment after we make a dummy load to keep the headlights on and working right.
EASY   

[easyricer]

Well, I couldn't pass up that chance to make a buck! I sold both of the LED H-4 bulbs to Harley riders, and they both said that they LOVE them!  One of the guys is a local Prez and rides often at night. His feedback on it was that he can't outride the light. It just pours light out over the whole road and even the ditches. (his words)
When installing these LEDs I've noticed that the hi and lo beam are both on in high beam. It is not a well focused light in either the stock Harley Streetglide reflector nor is it well focused in the Adjure Diamond tribar reflector. When adjusting headlights in my shop I almost always have a clear focused light beam to measure and adjust. These just emit a huge beam of very bright light. At least twice as bright as the Silverstar Ultra bulb that it replaced and a HUGE jump in light output from the stock HD bulb.
So now I gotta order more!
EASY

[garsam]

Burned out my low beam today so now I'm looking to up grade. Was looking at the OPT7 HID bi-xenon 55w. Anybody have any experience with the HIDs on a 7" headlight? I have an 02 RK but with an 07 reflector. Trying to decide between the LED and HID. Price wise they seem about the same.

[Templar2]

Have limited experience with my HID headlight and LED passing lamps at night, are they better than before?  Yes.  Way better.  But what is really noticeable is the daytime brightness, your bike will be stand out from those running standard lighting, our club has one other rider using them and he rides sweep, I can see him easily in the back.  I like the HID/LED combo.  And yes, they take a load off the stator/charging system.

[splitting_lanes]

I am going to switch to LED headlight on my dyna this winter.  A point to note about this light:

I'd be careful about expecting much lifespan out of an LED that requires a fan for cooling.  LED's don't like heat, and if they can't dump enough through the heatsink, they'll die quickly.  This may be a great LED, but using a fan instead of a heatsink means when the fan dies, the light will die shortly.

[MichaelDee]

Well, it has been a couple of weeks since I installed the LED "bulb" in my '09 Ultra and I am still liking it a whole lot.  Spent about an hour aiming headlight and, like easyricer, experienced difficulty finding center of light to aim.  Gave it my best shot, don't seem to be blinding on-coming traffic, and get plenty of light on the road ahead.

BTW: IMHO, there is a reason HID lights now cost the same or less than LEDs... old tech, expensive to replace, and generally require replacement more often.

Am now searching for LED "bulbs" for my passing lamps.  Not complete lamp assemblies, just bulbs similar to what I put in headlamp.  Anyone have any info??
Thanks,
Michael

[ThumperDeuce]

I've been running their turn signal and brake light products for about 6 years now.

http://www.radiantz.com/index1.html?c91.html&1

[Templar2]

Try these guys:

http://www.socalmotogear.com/

[MichaelDee]

Thanks much Templar2.  Looks like my next "bright" idea will be coming from them!

[Soft 02]

Try these guys:

http://www.socalmotogear.com/

That will be my next "bulb".

[Jim Bronson]

What about the depth of the LED unit? I have a Heritage, and I'm worried the headlight bucket wouldn't be deep enough. I think I could find a spot for the power module.

[garsam]

I decided to go with the H.I.D. led combo for the RK. Bought a Opt7 HID  kit from EBay. Went with the 6000k. Install was a bit of a project. Probably made for a car even though it was supposed to be made to fit a Harley. Instead of having a nest of wires I the headlight bucket I decided to put most of it under the seat. So off with the tank (good thing I installed the quick connect last week) ran all the wires back to the pocket ahead of the bat. And put the relay, fuse, etc there. Now waiting on the leds for the passing lamps from socal. I ordered the 50w bulbs also 6000k. The 6k give a nice blue light but still really bright. 😈

[garsam]

Got my 50w 6k led passing lamps today. Holy cow these suckers are bright. 😆 wonder how long they will last. 😈

[MichaelDee]

 
Fast service from SoCal and those 50W suckers are BRIGHT!!   ...and still spent a bunch less than if I bought a Phase7 Trucklight or H-D LRD headlight.
Thanks to all for your opinions, advice, and links,
Michael

[Lakerat]

Very interested to hear if anyone has installed one of these LED bulbs in a 5 3/4 bucket.

[Quicksilver]

I got a set for my 05 Roadglide but am not ready to go thru the process of installation on it yet.  So I thought I would see if one would fit into my wifes Softail std.  Her bike has a 5 3/4" headlight.  There is not much room in there, so I think I would have to drill a hole in back & mount the ballast thing outside the bucket. In addition the hole would allow some fresh air in there to cool this thing. It has a large heatsink & a fan attached so apparently it requires cooling air.
What I did notice is that high beam did not raise the light pattern up at all. The light pattern got a wide, side to side spread on the lower side of the beam when in high beam, and more focused when in low beam, but it likely won't project the light any further down the road when travelling.

[Admiral Akbar]

I got a set for my 05 Roadglide but am not ready to go thru the process of installation on it yet.  So I thought I would see if one would fit into my wifes Softail std.  Her bike has a 5 3/4" headlight.  There is not much room in there, so I think I would have to drill a hole in back & mount the ballast thing outside the bucket. In addition the hole would allow some fresh air in there to cool this thing. It has a large heatsink & a fan attached so apparently it requires cooling air.
What I did notice is that high beam did not raise the light pattern up at all. The light pattern got a wide, side to side spread on the lower side of the beam when in high beam, and more focused when in low beam, but it likely won't project the light any further down the road when travelling.

Since when to LED lights need a ballast?   The only ones that really need fans are the bulb type as there isn't any thermal mass.. The sealed units don't get that hot.. Are you sure you have an LED light?  Sounds more like HID.

Max

[truck]

I toured a lava tube in Maui where they gave you an LED flashlight. The head of that flashlight got very warm, almost hot.

[Admiral Akbar]

I toured a lava tube in Maui where they gave you an LED flashlight. The head of that flashlight got very warm, almost hot.

Well don't run that one on your Harley.. Sounds like it's not designed right..

Max

[joe_lyons]

I think that it is a step up transformer

[Admiral Akbar]

I think that it is a step up transformer

It would have to be a switching supply that has a transformer.. Transformers don't work on DC..

Max

[splitting_lanes]

I think that it is a step up transformer

It would have to be a switching supply that has a transformer.. Transformers don't work on DC..

Max

And LED's only require 1.5 forward volts....   maybe it's just to ensure smooth regulated power

[Admiral Akbar]

I lied over here.. LEDs are only about 3 to 8 times as efficient as incandescent bulbs..

http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,71724.msg781581.html#msg781581


I guess you might say this has a ballast.. It is more than likely a small switching supply (no transformer but an inductor fer sure)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360779035069?item=360779035069&viewitem=&vxp=mtr

A well designed LED light won't need a fan but needs a cast aluminium, rear housing to dissipate heat.. It's worth the money to avoid fans as they can fail..

Max