| Author | Message | ||
     Paolosica |
accessories (driving lights, heated gear) are running down the battery by the time I get to work (30 min. interstate commute) when they're all on at full capacity; is there an upgraded alternator available for this bike? Thanks! | ||
| Froggy |
The 03-07 XB's have a higher output stator, but it isn't a drop in replacement for your 2010. I recommend ditching your driving lights, they are just wasting power. Either replace the stock bulbs with HID, or change the additional lights to LED units. | ||
| Towpro |
Change the stock headlights to 35w hid. Savings of 20w each. (with the HID's you don't need the driving lights  If you still really want driving lights, buy the LED ones. That might save 80W a pair right there. They do make expensive ones that really also put light on the road, but again, the HID's are more then enough. but like Froggy said, loose the driving lights. the driving lights are really to ascent the "triangle" of light so people see you instead of pulling in front of you. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Froggy- Wasn't the higher output 3-phase alternator only for 2006/2007 (corresponding with the introduction of the Uly)? | ||
| Froggy |
Nope. http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2003models/2 003models-Buell-FireboltXB9R.htm | ||
| Fordhotline |
Replacing my head lamps with HID'smade a huge difference with my 06 Uly. At running speed I can run my heated grips, heated vest and my 55W PIAA's with no problem. At idle I have to turn one of the listed off to have more than 12V. Couldn't do that before the HID. | ||
| Reepicheep |
My heated grip controller automatically "stands down" when you have exceeded the stator capacity, and automatically kicks right back on when it comes back (say the revs are back up). It would be easy to build a simple device that does just that, and you could retrofit it to any other device you have on the bike. FWIW. | ||
| Towpro |
keep in mind when looking at HID's. Your stock bulbs are 55w each. HIDs come in 35w and 55w configurations. My 35's put out much more light then the stock 55 bulbs (much more). But you need to buy the 35w HID's to save power over the 55w HID's. | ||
| Froggy |
Any HID will make the driving lights redundant and that alone will save you probably 110w depending on the light. | ||
| Dennis_c |
 You don't need driving lights with these one 35w HID one 100w halgin | ||
| Motorfish |
Hey Reepi, Did you build that controller? I`m looking for an adjustable controller for my Polly Heaters, instead of a switch. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Motorfish... see this thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/655892.html?1319508012 Send me a PM if you want one... or I'll help you build one yourself if you would rather. | ||
| Paul56 |
If you convert to HID's in the stock headlight housing theywill burn the reflective material off of the housing in just a couple of years. I am currently researching upgraded lights to replace the sad stockers | ||
| Froggy |
The same thing happens with stock bulbs, HID will not make a difference. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I ran HID's in my 9sx for several years, no issue. Are you talking about the Firebolt housings? Like Froggy said, that's a problem with those housings, not the HID's. In fact I bet the 35w hids make the problem better, not worse. | ||
| Reepicheep |
That being said, a drop in replacement for the Uly that would give me real projector lenses for my HID, and the ability to slap in a 55w HID high beam for the rare "at night on road alone" case, would be pretty cool. I was able to adjust my stock housing with DDM HID to not be too offensive to oncoming traffic (never have been flashed), but it has to point pretty far downwards to do it. Still better illumination then stock though. | ||
| Court |
I'm still not satisfied with the lighting. I'd like to find a way to get GOOD lighting without major surgery. I'd also like to have that "at night on road alone" capability. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Did anyone ever conclusively establish if the 2009/2010 headlight assembly is (a) different and (b) significantly better than the 2006-2008 version? | ||
| Portero72 |
Hugh- I conclusively opine that the 09 housing is better than the 06. That was one of the first things I noticed when I got the new bike. That is worth what you paid for it. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Maybe the 2013 Erik Buell Racing AX will come with factory standard 4 gigawatt particle beam projector headlights which will easily retrofit to our Ulys...  (Message edited by Hughlysses on October 25, 2011) | ||
| Dennis_c |
Court go with my lights you would have "at night on road alone" capability. You can adjust each light separately not hard to make a holder I done some welding you could do it with nuts and bolts. the bad part is about $500. If I still had my ULY I would do it again.+++ jpeg +++ 656617 +++ ++++++ jpeg +++ 656620 +++ +++ (Message edited by dennis c on October 25, 2011) | ||
| Dennis_c |
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| Panhead_dan |
For $500, lighting is a no brainer. What we need is the $75 fix. Maybe what we need is someone who can re-wind a stator to give us more zots. The stock charging system really is minimal. Sir Froggy claims to have beat this but then he gets 75 mpg too... | ||
| Nobuell |
Dennis c I noticed that the reflector in my stock housing with the HID is starting to discolor. I plan to replace the stock housing with Soltek lights. How did you connect the two lights in the center? Are they pined in the center with just the outer attachment screws used for vertical adjustments? | ||
| Coolice |
How about some LED options? PIAA shows some now. | ||
| Court |
Would you replace outboard lights with this or try to install in the OEM headlight location? PIAA LED | ||
| Hughlysses |
I have no idea of the cost, but I suspect this would be a bitchin' LED headlight:  It's a multi-LED headlight from an M-ATV built by Oshkosh, the main MRAP vehicle being used by our forces in Afghanistan. I spent about 3 months inspecting these vehicles when they were received by the government. These headlights look revised from the versions they had ~2 years ago. I'd guess mil-spec LED headlights are exhorbitantly expensive. OTOH, mass production may be bringing the prices within reason. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Greater efficiency of the lighting is key. I am in the same boat with my $23 driving lights+heated liner. If I'm on a cold dark road, I have to limit how high the heat gets or the lights dim and one of my green LEDs on my voltmeter goes out. Or I shut off the driving lights. Perhaps this winter, I will upgrade to 35W HID driving lights. (Most likely not since I'm remarkably lazy+cheap!) | ||
| Bike_pilot |
Dennis, that setup looks great! Are those 4" HIDs? Does one have a vertical cut-off so as not to blind oncoming traffic? | ||
| Towpro |
Just to give you an idea how much energy a set of cheep Halogen lights can use, I just looked this up on the internet. 1 55w driving light = 55 watts X 2 = 110 Watts 1 Garbing's heated vest = 54 watts. If you know how warm a heated vest can be, picture that is the same heat output (and power consumption) of one driving light! |
