Stereo Amp & LED headlights
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,201
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From: NW AR
Stereo Amp & LED headlights
Here's a pic of my new Alpine KTP-445U Power Pack amp installed. I mounted it with double stickup foam tape behind the faring, as shown. Also seen is one of the JBL GTO427 speakers. I think I've reached the limit of what the speaker can handle with this amp. It seems to be like adding HP. The next thing down the line needs to be beefier to handle it.
Also installed were the Truck Lite LED headlight and spots. I would say, based on my testing in the garage, that the LED headlight is brighter than the H4 bulb based one it replaced, and the spots are about the same brightness as the incandescent spots, but spread out more (bigger pattern).
I installed the HD Daymaker 5-3/4" headlight in Dr.Linda's Sporty. That took quite a bit of fiddling. I had to trim the cooling fins and seriously crunch in the connectors in the headlight bucket, but it is in. Brighter than the 35W/35W H4 bulb it replaced, certainly. I had to go with a 35W bulb to free up some amps for the fuel pump and ECU. A 19 amp electrical system is a tad bit tight to squeeze an EFI system onto. The Truck Lite LED spots fit fine, but I had to splice the connectors. The original ones were attached to the bulbs with screws and spade connectors. The Truck Lite ones came with a connector, like a weatherpack or something. I just cut and spliced it.
Current draw:
Bulb Amps
55W/60W H4 Low 4.22
7" Truck Lite LED Low 1.49
55W/60W H4 Hi 4.66
7" Truck Lite LED Hi 3.27
Incadescent Spot 2.3
Truck Lite LED Spot 0.75
(multiply by 2 for both spots)
35W/35W H4 Low 2.6
HD DayMaker 5-3/4" Low 1.8
35W/35W H4 Hi 2.6
HD DayMaker 5-3/4" Hi 1.8
So, the LED's will save me quite a bit in current and they look really bright as well. If I could find an 1157 replacement that worked, I'd be about set.
Also installed were the Truck Lite LED headlight and spots. I would say, based on my testing in the garage, that the LED headlight is brighter than the H4 bulb based one it replaced, and the spots are about the same brightness as the incandescent spots, but spread out more (bigger pattern).
I installed the HD Daymaker 5-3/4" headlight in Dr.Linda's Sporty. That took quite a bit of fiddling. I had to trim the cooling fins and seriously crunch in the connectors in the headlight bucket, but it is in. Brighter than the 35W/35W H4 bulb it replaced, certainly. I had to go with a 35W bulb to free up some amps for the fuel pump and ECU. A 19 amp electrical system is a tad bit tight to squeeze an EFI system onto. The Truck Lite LED spots fit fine, but I had to splice the connectors. The original ones were attached to the bulbs with screws and spade connectors. The Truck Lite ones came with a connector, like a weatherpack or something. I just cut and spliced it.
Current draw:
Bulb Amps
55W/60W H4 Low 4.22
7" Truck Lite LED Low 1.49
55W/60W H4 Hi 4.66
7" Truck Lite LED Hi 3.27
Incadescent Spot 2.3
Truck Lite LED Spot 0.75
(multiply by 2 for both spots)
35W/35W H4 Low 2.6
HD DayMaker 5-3/4" Low 1.8
35W/35W H4 Hi 2.6
HD DayMaker 5-3/4" Hi 1.8
So, the LED's will save me quite a bit in current and they look really bright as well. If I could find an 1157 replacement that worked, I'd be about set.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
I saw those LED's at O'Reilly's. I have some 1157-like SuperBrightLEDs.com bulbs in other places, but I have not been happy with them. The ones I have aren't bright enough. Now, I did buy them several years ago and maybe brighter ones are out now. I considered trying them from O'Reilley's and returning them if I don't like them. Does the brake light look the same or brighter than a regular 1157? I did not see "DOT" on the package, which leads me to believe they are not up to full 1157 replacement spec. The new LED headlights are both DOT marked. The Sportster one even says "Harley Davidson" on it, so that must be why it was an extra 2 bills.
Also, the light on our FLHT turn signals comes from the sides of the bulb, not the end, so we need a LED replacement that shines out the sides. I may do another search and see what comes up these days.
Also, the light on our FLHT turn signals comes from the sides of the bulb, not the end, so we need a LED replacement that shines out the sides. I may do another search and see what comes up these days.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 842
Likes: 47
From: New Hartford CT
I replaced all of my tail, brake and marker (fender tips and tour pack) lights with LEDs from superbrightleds.com. The bulbs are a little pricier than the Autozone ones, but the ones I got all had 360 degree light angles which is an important step up from the cheaper ones. I chose the 18 SMD LED Towers. These things are bright! Much brighter than a regular 1157 or 7443, and the current draw when braking is practically non-existent. I used to be able to see the voltmeter drop whenever I hit the brakes, but no more. Make sure to buy the correct color - if you buy white it won't work as well as the colored lens filters out some of the light frequencies.
I also got those Truck Lite spots which look great in my dark garage, but I haven't actually been on the road with them at night yet; still a little cold for riding after dark here. I had replaced the stock sealed beam spots with HD halogens a few years back, but these appear to be just as bright and much whiter, matching the HID headlight that I put in two years back. While I was at it I also got a new Cibie E-Code headlight as my old one was all hazy. The HID bulb inside that new Cibie is nothing short of brilliant!
With all these lighting upgrades, they are going to see me coming and going for sure now.
I also got those Truck Lite spots which look great in my dark garage, but I haven't actually been on the road with them at night yet; still a little cold for riding after dark here. I had replaced the stock sealed beam spots with HD halogens a few years back, but these appear to be just as bright and much whiter, matching the HID headlight that I put in two years back. While I was at it I also got a new Cibie E-Code headlight as my old one was all hazy. The HID bulb inside that new Cibie is nothing short of brilliant!
With all these lighting upgrades, they are going to see me coming and going for sure now.
Last edited by rivercityslim; Apr 15, 2013 at 09:27 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 842
Likes: 47
From: New Hartford CT
That's why I wanted the LEDs with a 360 light angle.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 7,851
From: SE Louisiana
My signals are the only ones not LED on mine.
Like rivercityslimm, with thre e1157's for brake lights, had a pretty good drop on the volt gauge, can't see it move now.
The Autozone leds don't have the 360, they work OK on the tour pack, the tail light doesn't light up the license plate through the clear part of the lense very well, but they are bright.
After a couple adjustments to the Trucklites, they light up the highway real good, until you make a 90* turn, then there's a dark spot about 20' out.
All in all, a big improvement from the old dim lights I had before.
With all the reduced current draw,now I can crank the radio way up (too loud) before I see any movement on the volt gauge.
Like rivercityslimm, with thre e1157's for brake lights, had a pretty good drop on the volt gauge, can't see it move now.
The Autozone leds don't have the 360, they work OK on the tour pack, the tail light doesn't light up the license plate through the clear part of the lense very well, but they are bright.
After a couple adjustments to the Trucklites, they light up the highway real good, until you make a 90* turn, then there's a dark spot about 20' out.
All in all, a big improvement from the old dim lights I had before.
With all the reduced current draw,now I can crank the radio way up (too loud) before I see any movement on the volt gauge.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
superbrightleds has a motorcycle specific tail light:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-bulb/170/767/
I just ordered a couple. If they don't work as well or better than the 1157's, I'll use them in my trailer. Tech support there said that this one:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...led-tower/811/
will work better for side view purposes than this one:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...ght-angle/816/
http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-bulb/170/767/
I just ordered a couple. If they don't work as well or better than the 1157's, I'll use them in my trailer. Tech support there said that this one:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...led-tower/811/
will work better for side view purposes than this one:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...ght-angle/816/
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