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Led Headlight Testing And More!


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#1
Xipher

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    • Group: Contributing Mod
    • Location:Sacramento, California
    • Drives: 1986 Honda CRX Si (project), 98' GMC K2500 BIG BLOCK 4WD, 2008 Honda Fit Sport, 2017 Chevrolet Volt
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Not a 1G/3G, but still testing on a Honda!

 

I have a 2001 Honda VFR800fi that I've already replaced the regulator/rectifier on as well as the stator, both with far more beefy quality parts than stock, but the charging system on these bikes is notorious for being taxed and needing regular attention, probably the ONLY thing on the bike that seems to be a known issue really.

 

Anyways, to try and resolve this issue of an overtaxed charging system, I decided "Hey... I'll just reduce the load!", the bike has two 55watt (110watt) headlights on at all times, 20watts worth of cluster back lighting on at all times, 48 watts of indicator bulbs (6)

 

Tonight I cut off about 89 watts out of the 178~watts of always on lighting, by the weekend I'll be cutting that down a lot more too.

 

Replaced all of the constant on cluster 194 bulbs with LED lights, retained the factory green back light color to be unobtrusive and easy on the eyes, total cost: $6.62 (had to buy twice as many as I needed even!)

 

0wXSikGh.jpg

 

I didn't replace the neutral, oil, cel, high beam or turn indicator bulbs, only the backlights, there are known /issues/ with replacing the other bulbs and I'll deal with that later. Either way, looks good, about half the bulbs were burned out anyways so its a world of difference, same exact color of green, just... brighter, more legible and using 5 watts instead of 20!

 

For the headlights, I got a dual H4 kit, I wanted something SOLID STATE, no kits with fans, I don't need moving parts to fail, I need something simple and reliable.  Superbrightled's had a kit with a tin coated copper ribbon set for heat dissipation, and that seemed good, well reviewed, $99, ended up finding a more direct supplier for the same parts, got the kit for $45 instead shipped to my door, same box etc.

 

Yb7K0YBh.jpg

 

CFEPvUvh.jpg

 

 

I've heard from some people that 5th generation VFR800's are actually H4H and standard H4 bulbs need the thin locating tabs at the bottom cut to fit...

 

Well guess what, I had to cut the bottom locating tabs on this 4H light kit too, but the thick tab at the top keeps it oriented and the retention clip keeps everything very snug, GOOD ENOUGH.

 

The cut off seemed to match the halogen, but the lights are just... CRAZY ass bright in comparison, I didn't take a picture but I did have 1 LED, 1 Halogen and the difference was night and day, massive, but the same pattern against a wall as far as I could see.

 

Since it was late and I didn't feel like going for a ride after spending 2 hours futzing with taking the whole front of the bike off to do all this, here is a quick picture of the low beam:

 

lxK9kLFh.jpg

 

and the high...

 

KhfQ3lfh.jpg

 

I'll be riding to work in the dark probably, and riding back, in the dark probably... so we'll see! I ride this to work and back every day, hence the nearly 50,000 miles on this bike, so, should be a good testbed for all this silliness!

 

I'm kinda really... tired and probably did a terrible job on this, but figured it'd be interesting to post up and follow through with a bit.

 

Total cost so far is $51.62


Full of The Internets!
etmydst - ""...and since he was the hardest gangster in all of stockton they were to scared to go in his house so they drove by and said "slow down forest"..."
My Vouch Thread

#2
Xipher

  • OMG! I posted THAT!?
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: Contributing Mod
    • Location:Sacramento, California
    • Drives: 1986 Honda CRX Si (project), 98' GMC K2500 BIG BLOCK 4WD, 2008 Honda Fit Sport, 2017 Chevrolet Volt
    Garage View Garage

So far so good, though I left late in the morning, and early in the afternoon so it was only 'dark' as I got home.

 

Need to get an electronic LED relay this weekend to fix the rapid flashing when using LED's for indicators, but did the rest of the lights, sorry about the vertical video, was recorded for Twitter and required holding the button with my thumb.

 

Yellow 7443 SMD style turn indicators

Red 7443 SMD style brake lights.

 

Both sets work AOK on the high/low volt, was kinda hard to find some that were dual filament style.

 

Total cost $21.47

 

Total so far: $73.09

 

relay is either $8.99 online or $19 local

 

Overall, very cheap so far.

 

 

... Pretty much I should have not been an idiot, and ordered the relay along with the lights since its the big black box on the left in this picture... from when I already had everything torn down to replace the headlights and instrument lighting.

 

Ukaf3C6h.jpg


Full of The Internets!
etmydst - ""...and since he was the hardest gangster in all of stockton they were to scared to go in his house so they drove by and said "slow down forest"..."
My Vouch Thread

#3
Xipher

  • OMG! I posted THAT!?
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: Contributing Mod
    • Location:Sacramento, California
    • Drives: 1986 Honda CRX Si (project), 98' GMC K2500 BIG BLOCK 4WD, 2008 Honda Fit Sport, 2017 Chevrolet Volt
    Garage View Garage

So far so good, went back and changed all the 194 bulbs to "Warm" white, the green LED idea to keep the stock "green" color was..... WAY TOO DAMN GREEN!!

 

Here it is with the "Warm" white now, except I managed to get it all back together and... somehow never put the bottom bulb in the right way so its dim down there... GUESS I'LL SPEND ANOTHER HOUR THIS WEEKEND FIXING THAT NOW!

 

yC7lOHuh.jpg


Full of The Internets!
etmydst - ""...and since he was the hardest gangster in all of stockton they were to scared to go in his house so they drove by and said "slow down forest"..."
My Vouch Thread

#4
Xipher

  • OMG! I posted THAT!?
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: Contributing Mod
    • Location:Sacramento, California
    • Drives: 1986 Honda CRX Si (project), 98' GMC K2500 BIG BLOCK 4WD, 2008 Honda Fit Sport, 2017 Chevrolet Volt
    Garage View Garage

.... SUDDENLY!

Bumping this from a long time ago, its been like.. 3 years, and one of the 4 elements in one of the H4 LED bulbs finally died which is making one side dimmer than the other when not on 'high beams'.

 

Posting this for anyone wondering about the reliability of cheap chinese LED headlights.

 

Bulb went through below freezing to 122+F days, water inundation, and was even knocked around in an accident that broke the entire headlight housing away from the front faring and kept tickin'...

 

10/10, ordering another pair right now :P


Full of The Internets!
etmydst - ""...and since he was the hardest gangster in all of stockton they were to scared to go in his house so they drove by and said "slow down forest"..."
My Vouch Thread

#5
GeezRX

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    • Group: 2016 Contributor
    • Location:Beggs, Oklahoma
    • Drives: Only loaners at the present time!
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Been toying with the idea of installing LED headlight bulbs in the Civic...thanks for the informative write up!


"Old and usually in the way" - Check out my '86 3G build in "VIEW GARAGE"