LED headlights?

[Kiwi Dave]

That's not the only issue.  The area of the light emitting part is larger than that of an incandescent bulb.  The reflector is only designed for one focal point on the fresnel lens, which means that even the twin filaments on the bulb is a compromise.

You may get it to fit, but I reckon you're gonna be unhappy with the performance.

[Muzz]

That's not the only issue.  The area of the light emitting part is larger than that of an incandescent bulb.  The reflector is only designed for one focal point on the fresnel lens, which means that even the twin filaments on the bulb is a compromise.

You may get it to fit, but I reckon you're gonna be unhappy with the performance.

Thanks Dave.
The only reason (other than the available space) that I was considering it was the price; cheap enough that it was no great loss and if they worked (hence the twin pack) then the extra brightness would be a bonus and I would have a spare.

I suspect that the Chinese made stuff has got better.  We fitted a 5hp Loncin mower engine on a mower that does a bit of rough stuff as well as a big area and it has out performed the Briggs we used to have on it.  With the cheap LED bulbs that I have put in the house I have yet to have had a failure, and the price of them would have me suspect they are of Chinese origin.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

That's not the only issue.  The area of the light emitting part is larger than that of an incandescent bulb.  The reflector is only designed for one focal point on the fresnel lens, which means that even the twin filaments on the bulb is a compromise.

You may get it to fit, but I reckon you're gonna be unhappy with the performance.

It's true that the LED chip is wider than the incandescent element, but the chip and the element are almost exactly the same length and positioned at the same focal point which I think matter more.

It's hard to take photos and hold the ruler too, but here's a halogen vs. cheapy Chinese LED and slightly less cheapy Chinese LED. If I was able to hold the camera at exactly the same place each time, you'd see that the high and low elements of the halogen bulb are in virtually the exact same position as the high and low chips of the LED bulbs.











Whether or not one is disappointed in the performance depends on what they were trying to improve. All of the LED bulbs I've tried are brighter and more noticeable to other roads users. They also use less power/lessen the load on older charging systems. As you note, night-time performance is another thing, and I was a little disappointed with my first experience with an LED bulb in an H4 headlight. The second try with a higher quality reflector and LED bulb was better. Then I bought a JW Speaker LED sealed beam unit and that was just amazing.  But, I'm giving it a third try in my V700 with an even better H4 headlight (Hella) and Native H4R2 LED bulb. We'll see how that works.

In Chuck's case, I doubt he will be disappointed with the LED - night-time performance wasn't a concern. Since there is no LED sealed beam unit to fit a Lario, an LED bulb is his only alternative... 

[Muzz]

Thanks Charlie.  Very informative.

[Chuck in Indiana]

It's very bright, Charlie. My voltmeter likes it. <shrug> I'm in bed before it gets dark enough to use it at night. We're in the same time zone as Maine. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

It's very bright, Charlie. My voltmeter likes it. <shrug> I'm in bed before it gets dark enough to use it at night. We're in the same time zone as Maine. 

If you don't mind me asking, which one did you end up buying?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Safego..

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

 

[bad Chad]

I’m planning on dropping the silver led shown in Muzz third pic.  I’m a bit concerned about the heat created as the led has a big heat sink with a fan!  I haven’t opened up the B1100 headlight bucket yet, but I’m thinking a couple strategic holes drilled might be needed?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I’m planning on dropping the silver led shown in Muzz third pic.  I’m a bit concerned about the heat created as the led has a big heat sink with a fan!  I haven’t opened up the B1100 headlight bucket yet, but I’m thinking a couple strategic holes drilled might be needed?

Do you mean in my third photo? That's the "Safego" bulb. Heat apparently isn't an issue as the lens is barely even warm - not nearly as warm as with a halogen bulb.

[bigbikerrick]

Yes, Very informative, Thank you, Charlie!  I have the Hella headlight , like you ,in my eldo.  Have been running a Sylvania Silverstar halogen bulb, and the light output is pretty decent.I ordered the Native H4R, it should arrive any day.
 Looking forward to checking it out, I will let the group know how it goes.
I do alot of night riding in the summer, when the daytime temps are high.
Rick.

[bad Chad]

Yes, the safego. Thanks for the info.

[Muzz]

I’m planning on dropping the silver led shown in Muzz third pic.  I’m a bit concerned about the heat created as the led has a big heat sink with a fan!  I haven’t opened up the B1100 headlight bucket yet, but I’m thinking a couple strategic holes drilled might be needed?

Charlies photos, not mine.

Yes, the bulb stays really cool, it's the whizzies in the back that get hot.  Some have the fan, some don't.  It's usually the high performing ones that need a fan to dissipate the heat.  Still working on that aspect, as without actually seeing them I don't know whether there is enough room at the back of the shell to fit the fan in.  There is a bit of a shroud for want of a better term that helps to protect the connector.  The fan model may well require a bit of restructuring of the shell, something I don't want to do in case the trial doesn't work out.

When I first wired my garage I put in 6 x 150 watt incandescent warm daylight bulbs, consuming 900 watts worth of power.  I have since replaced them with cheap cool daylight LED's that are supposed to be the equivalent of about 90 watts each.  The difference in light is simply staggeringly better and now the garage is consuming only 48 watts.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yeah, I connverted the shop, Guzzi garage (tm) basement, closets, etc. 2 or 3 years ago. The light is substantially brighter, and usage is down. Now, they are saying that LED lighting causes cancer.  <shrug>

[bad Chad]

Whoops. The Breva uses a two prong lamp, the led I bought is a three prong!  In my defense I purchased it originally for my TT250, and then thought why not try it out on the Breva, now I know why!

[Tom H]

I'm not en elctromagician, but, you may still be able to use it. Remember, one of the connectors is a ground. Check your two wires, one may be high or low and the bulb grounds through the housing???????

Tom

[bad Chad]

You may be right, but the prongs are larger than the two prong bulb. More monkeying around than I want to deal with.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

You may be right, but the prongs are larger than the two prong bulb. More monkeying around than I want to deal with.

The Breva headlight has two bulbs doesn't it - an H7 and an H9? One is high beam and one is low beam.

[Kiwi_Roy]

The H4 Incandescent lamp filaments are arranged to be in the focal point of the reflector, the LED is flat and one sided so at best it only uses half of the reflector, in spite of that they are very bright, imagine what its like with a reflector designed to go with the LED not as an afterthought.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Native H4R2:

[Kiwi_Roy]

I stand corrected, it looks as though that Halogen filament is shrouded also.
I'm currently running a lamp in my Griso, it has the fan right behind the LED chips inside the reflector. I thought it would be a 10 day wonder but it refuses to die, even the Dempster highway wouldn't shake it to bits.

That one you show looks good, where are those from?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I stand corrected, it looks as though that Halogen filament is shrouded also.
I'm currently running a lamp in my Griso, it has the fan right behind the LED chips inside the reflector. I thought it would be a 10 day wonder but it refuses to die, even the Dempster highway wouldn't shake it to bits.

That one you show looks good, where are those from?

http://stores.advmonster.com/native-h4r2/

[Diploman]

The photometrics of LED bulbs using a reflector designed for H4 halogens have improved significantly of late - eg, the H4R2.  But for daytime riding, even earlier-generation LED bulbs are fine, given that the beam scatter makes the bike visible to cagers from more angles than with the more-tightly-focussed H4.  Daytime conspicuity and nighttime vision are two quite separate functions. 

I am happy with an inexpensive Chinese LED headlight bulb that has ferocious lumen output but notable beam scatter:  I do not ride in the early morning, near sundown or in the dark, because Bambi owns the night roads in this area.

[larrys]

I went for an evening ride the other night. Wow, what a difference! The H4R2 works great! Beam pattern is the same, as I figured when I did the cardboard test, but magnitudes brighter. I went and ordered the Antline 1157 and 1156 emitters for my taillight and turn signals.
Larry

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I'm running a pair of $51 on Amazon LED "ditch lights" on both the Convert and V700. Super wide beam - ditches, fields, woods, everything off to the sides lit up, but also a very flat beam so oncoming traffic isn't blinded.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X19TGND/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In combination with the JW Speaker LED headlight on the Convert, they provide the best lighting I've ever had on any vehicle.

[jas67]

I'm running a pair of $51 on Amazon LED "ditch lights" on both the Convert and V700. Super wide beam - ditches, fields, woods, everything off to the sides lit up, but also a very flat beam so oncoming traffic isn't blinded.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X19TGND/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In combination with the JW Speaker LED headlight on the Convert, they provide the best lighting I've ever had on any vehicle.

I like those.   I need a pair for my Eldorado!
I just need mounts.

[Muzz]

Whoops. The Breva uses a two prong lamp, the led I bought is a three prong!  In my defense I purchased it originally for my TT250, and then thought why not try it out on the Breva, now I know why!

I'd better check the B750 one. Being an H4 I just assumed it would be a three.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I like those.   I need a pair for my Eldorado!
I just need mounts.

They're mounted to the s.s. signal brackets MG Cycle sells:
http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_156&products_id=2538

[jas67]

They're mounted to the s.s. signal brackets MG Cycle sells:
http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_156&products_id=2538

One pic on that shows the turn signal mounts, and the bracket for the aux lights.    Are both included?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

One pic on that shows the turn signal mounts, and the bracket for the aux lights.    Are both included?

No, these brackets:



are all that's included and all I used. I just rotated the LED sealed beam 90 degrees.