| Author | Message | ||
     Zane |
Ok, I have an electrical question. When I bought my 09 XT one of the changes made to it was the standard headlight mod. Both head lights come on when the high beams are energized. This was done by someone who has been around the block so I have no doubt it was done correctly. When I purchased the bike I was told once in a great while after starting the engine, the low beam light would go out. Simple fix was to shut the bike down, turn the key to the off position and restart it. The first year I had the bike this happened maybe twice. After that it started to happen a bit more often and at this point the low beam bulb almost never comes on. It will light once in a while but not often. I’ve been riding with the high beam on to stay legal but I’d like to correct the issue if I can. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms? I’m at a complete loose as to what might cause this. I’m thinking it may be a bad ballast or perhaps the bulb itself. I just don’t know electrical so I’m guessing at best. Can anybody give me a hint as to what might be going on? | ||
| Froggy |
The issue is that HIDs don't like low voltage conditions like when your starter is sucking the battery dry. Put the low beam on a toggle switch, leave it off till after you start the bike then turn it on. The bike will be easier to start, and your ballast will fire up the bulb every time. | ||
| Zane |
Thanks for the great input Froggy. I'll do that. Currently there is a less than 2 week old battery in the bike but the low beam almost never comes on now. Think I fried the low beam? (Message edited by Zane on September 18, 2013) | ||
| Froggy |
It is hard to say, I'd try swapping the low beam bulb with the high beam bulb and seeing if the other one fires up more reliably. It it could be either the bulb or the ballast, either way replacing the HIDs is pretty cheap should it be necessary. Also be sure to try swapping the ballasts around to see if they are being problematic. (Message edited by froggy on September 18, 2013) | ||
| Froggy |
Part of the issue is that you have the low beam on with high mod. On a stock setup, there is a relay that cuts power to the headlights while you are pressing the starter button. When you do the mod, your low beam is now on a different circuit without that cutoff. On a stock bike, the bulb gets cut and then once you let off the bulb can fire up again like normal, but with the mod that HID is trying to keep the bulb running, and it often can flicker on and off a few times while cranking. That beats up the HID system a bit more than how it would work with the stock wiring. That is another reason why I recommend putting the low beam on a switch, that way you can fire it up without beating on the bulb and ballast. | ||
| Zane |
Ok, thanks Froggy. Even I should be able to put an inline toggle switch in. | ||
| Uly_man |
There are many ways to do the "both on" light mod and all are fine with normal Halogen lamps. The main ones are at the switch or the con block under the front cowl. If you use the front con block method the HID ballast will detect the volt drop from the relay switching out on starting and will kill the light. If you use the switch "bridge" method it will work fine as long as you do not have any other problems. This I proved on my bike. | ||
| Zane |
The re-wire job was done by the previous owner so I don't know which method he used. Rode in to work today and just ••••••• the high beam on after startup. I'll try to get the low beam light swapped out this weekend. | ||
| Uly_man |
This is the one done at the light conn block and does not work with HID light systems. http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourse lf-Buell-Mods/Headlight-Mod---Both-Lights-On-w-Hi- Beam And this is the one you need to use with HID systems. It is easy to do just take your time and do not lose or damage any of the very small parts. http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourse lf-Buell-Mods/Dual-Headlight-Modification---No-Cha nge-in-Other-Functions I had to change from the first version to the second one after fitting HID lights so I know the problem. You may, of course, have something else going on. (Message edited by uly_man on September 20, 2013) |
