| Author |
Message |
    
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 10:02 am: | 
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Did you convert those Hella's, or buy them HID? I really like those lights, but everything I read says they are useless unless you go HID. The regular ones are $120, and the HID are $600. I can but an HID conversion kit for $50, so I was considering just converting them.
They look awesome, how's the light output? Wide or long range? |
Jackfis
| | Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 01:26 pm: |
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Those are original HID Hella and yes they are costly. As for light output, well they are the most powerful long range lights I have ever witnessed on a bike. Great when you are alone on the road but unpractical with incoming traffic as you blind everyone facing you. Since I rarely ride at night, they are otherwise great to have on during the day, you really get people's attention on the road which is half the battle to save you from a potential collision. Yes the "triangle" of light is far more effective for safety vs converting your bike's stock headlights to HID alone. I was thinking about having the headlights converted as well but I have no room left behind the front panel after installing the Hella converter boxes. |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 12:31 am: |
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I'm looking at the same lights RatBuell has; Hella Optilux 2500's.
I figure with the lights off, The LED rings will still give me that triangle of light to help with traffic. Plus the housings look big enough to convert to HID. A 55 watt HID low beam, and two 35 watt HID driving lights should get me the light output I desire. (Also pretty much guarantee the factory high beam never gets used)
Rumor has it they have a thin beam pattern too, which is what I want. The Low beam is wide enough, I want to get some light up the road ahead! |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 12:42 am: |
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MikeF - those are the lights I'm using. They're a fog pattern - low and wide. I, however, have them mounted sideways....so they're tall and narrow. Think of a beam spread like |-| where | is a foglight beam, - is the factory headlight beam area, and | is the other foglight. They're AWESOME for lighting the shoulders (and the critters that like to run around in 'em).
The LED rings are just enough to generate a "whazzat...?" from even the most dense cagers. It's *just* different-looking enough. At night. They're not bright enough to be seen during daylight...but my Uly is orange so I'm OK with that 
Main beam is a standard H3. I'm running 55w right now (came with the lights), but might either switch back to a one light high beam or put 35w bulbs in the aux lights. Since it's winter and I'm using my heated gear regularly now, I don't want to over-tax the charging system. Voltmeter shows just fine...except at idle, with lights, grips, jacket and GPS going all at the same time. |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 12:48 am: |
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Hmmm, wide beam pattern and non-visible LED's in daylight.
Maybe I'll have to keep looking.
Thanks for the info!
Found another set, this time they're projectors! Even better for HID's!
Made by AutoTeknic.
(Message edited by mikef5000 on November 17, 2009) |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 12:56 am: |
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No cateye is going to be visible in daylight, unless it's mounted "in" an automobile airdam keeping it in shadow...and even then, you have to look for the ring, it doesn't jump out at you. |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 12:57 am: |
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Just stomp all over my dreams why don't you.
 |
Oddball
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 04:53 am: |
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Rat, what about those audi ones. Saw an audi the other day was bright and visible at distance in the daylight. served as a fine daytime running light. |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 09:04 am: |
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Haven't seen those...but if they're OEM Audi? Hope you have deep pockets
Mike - don't mean to dream-stomp man, just the way it goes for aftermarket lights. As noted above, I'm sure OEM lights have higher grade, higher output LEDs...with a higher wallet output required LOL. And to answer your PM - yes, they're blinding the way I have 'em aimed. But that's OK since I have them wired to the highbeam. I go from one light to four when I hit the high beam switch. I haven't done any HID conversions on anything yet...so I'm no help there, sorry. |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 11:33 am: |
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Audi's don't do angel-eyes/cateyes. They do LED strips. And they are 'new german technology', meaning $$$! They are also the definition of badass!
BMW does Angel-eyes that are visible in the daytime, but they aren't LED like the 'affordable' versions, they are actually more like HID's in that they have a ballast and fire up, and again... $$$
 |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 11:43 am: |
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Yah, the OEM auto stuff is more like neon or flourescent, not LED. |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 04:22 pm: |
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Anyone know of a lower wattage H7 halogen bulb? Like say 20 or 35 watt? LED's are an option, but decent LED bulbs are $$$. |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 05:21 pm: |
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Alright! Custom light mounts... in progress!
Start with 2 of these 4" Stanley Corner Braces (zinc coated for corrosion resistance!) $2 each:
Cut off one end of each:
Bore out the single hole ever so slightly (it's just a hair to small) and bolt it to the inside of the turn signal (plenty of threads for the bracket plus another nut (5/16" fine thread zinc plated):
Now remove it again, spray it with self-etching primer, followed by flat black paint. (Mine are drying right now!)
Good to go! For just $4.50!
Now I just need to go buy some lights! Then black PVC, then a 35 watt HID kit. |
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 05:32 pm: |
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Mike,
You might think about removing that turnsignal stalk extender. If your bike tips over, that turnsignal will break. Remove the extender and the ground won't touch it. Look at the back turnsignals and you'll notice they are the same type but shorter. Remove a front turnsignal and then pull off the extra plastic piece and then put that extra plastic piece inside the fairing because you'll need it to take care of that extra long hollow bolt that was under that extra black plastic piece (extender piece). With the shorter turnsignal, a tip over won't break the lens now. |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 05:44 pm: |
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I like the looks of them shorter, but they work better longer with my new-fangled light brackets.
When I actually go to install the lights I'll see what my options are with the signals. |
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