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Buell Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through August 04, 2007 » XB12s headlight bulbs... « Previous Next »

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Chadr81
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 07:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm thinking of putting a 55w bulb in for the low beam, and a 65w bulb in for the high beam. Anyone else doing this, and does anyone see any problems that could come from this? I would not be running them at the same time, and I was thinking the 65w bulb would not be hot enough to melt anything... Thoughts please.
Chad
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Itchybro
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 04:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well, after reading everthing I can about the "Death Ray" set up, I think I'm gonna try the PIAA 4k bulbs first. Don't know if I'm up for trying to fabricate the ray gun just yet. (There'$ al$o other mitigating factor$ involved.)

They are H7's aren't they?
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Chadr81
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 07:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, the XBS has H7's, and the XBR has H3's if I recall right.
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Old_man
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 09:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The plastic low beam lens on my XB9S melted with the stock bulb.
After replacing the headlight unit, I am careful to change to the high beam periodically, so as to be sure it doesn't overheat.
I would not replace the bulbs with higher wattage bulbs.
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Itchybro
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 11:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well, SOMETHING must be done because these lights ain't safe after dark.
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Chadr81
Posted on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 12:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hmmm... maybe I'll just go with some SilverStar 55w bulbs. From doing a search, people have said they are a little brighter and make it a little better to see. I've seen a couple posts about people upgrading their wiring and running 100w bulbs, but that is just asking for problems right there if you ask me! I'll just stick with the 55w bulbs to be safe.
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Fmaxwell
Posted on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 01:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Itchybro wrote:

Well, SOMETHING must be done because these lights ain't safe after dark.

Agreed. I put Silverstar bulbs in mine and also modded the connector so that the low beam stays on when the high beam is running (http://www.buelletinboard.com/forums/showthread.ph p?t=810&page=2).

The difference is (pardon the pun) night and day -- both in quantity of light as well as quantity of light.
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Diablobrian
Posted on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 10:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yikes! I hope this isn't history repeating itself, but rather a fluke material failure.

I'm sure you're aware of what has been happening to the firebolt headlights with degrading reflector coatings.
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L_je
Posted on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 12:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

There is a new Philips Xtreme bulb out that is 55W but said to give +80% better illumination. PowerBulbs.com or something like that; prices are in Euros, and I don't know what those are, so no telling how expensive they may be.

I just bout a couple of those 65W H7 bulbs for my high beam (yes, I know that you can only put one in at a time, but bulbs burn out, you know). My new commute is going to be 40 miles each way, so I think a little extra light might help out.

I didn't notice the powerbulbs.com site until after I purchased the 65W, 2100 lumen Osrams, so maybe after I melt something, I'll give these the Philips a try.
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Fullpower
Posted on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 06:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

dont mean to sound ummm.... snide.
You may wish to use the search function. the XB has been in production since late 2003, the HEADLAMP UPGRADE issue has been successfully addressed by a few of us, and much of the information is available in some of the prior posts, particularly in the KNOWLEDGE vault, under electrical/ lighting sections. You will find some good ideas, many of which have proven to be functional and reliable for several years and many thousands of miles.
Please note that there is not always a direct correlation between Lumens ( light output) and WATTS (electrical power consumed). Some of the brightest automotive lighting on the road are the arc lamps ( also called HID) they actually consume less electrical power than the standard H7 halogen lamps, but output almost three times the light.
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Xbeau12s
Posted on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 08:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Want to know something kinda scary? My dim light went out on me on the interstate last night! It's getting close to the Sturgis Rally here and you know how many people flashed their lights at me because I only had the bright? I don't think they are bad. I even went to the clown shop and paid $7.00 for the bulb. Aint bad. Now I have to put it on. Looks easy. My stock 04 headlights are awesome I think. Never have had any issues besides the dim going out and I'm right at 10K.
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U4euh
Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 09:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've tried to put H4's in to no avail,they sucked. Bulb placement within the housing was the problem. A set of Silverstars solved my problem. My low beam is now equal to what my high beam was. BUT i don't get much more light with just the high beam on! So I'll be doing the 'both headlight on' wiring sometime soon.
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Ekass13
Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 02:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just my 2 cents on this situation. First Philips makes great bulbs. Get your self some Diamond level bulbs and do the double headlight on wire conversion. It’s very simple, takes 20 minutes, & with both on makes a great difference. The Philips bulbs are the best . When I drive next to expensive cars, that same true blue comes out from mine. I’ve had some many bulbs in so many different cars, and I cant stress enough how great Philip bulbs are. It will be the best $60.00 you’ve spent.
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L_je
Posted on Friday, August 03, 2007 - 12:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, +1 on the better Philips bulbs.

I just demo'd the 65W Osram bulb in my high beam while riding into work tonight...it's not that much better than the 55W Phillips bulb (Night Guard, I think) that was there.
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Xb12randy
Posted on Friday, August 03, 2007 - 09:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'll vouch for how nice the Silverstars are. Not the cheaper Ultra's but the original Silverstars. I changed them out in my pickup truck (06 Tacoma) and the difference was HUGE. I'll be putting those in the Firebolt as soon as I get my hands on a pair of H3's. I've run PIAA's in the past and just can't justify the cost considering how quickly they have all burned up on me.
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