Head light and passing lamps
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: Head light and passing lamps
I replaced my passing lamps with some quartz units from CCI (#15085) and the stock H4 headlight bulb with a 100/80w unit. This made a big difference, but there is one caveat: At first I had trouble with the low-beam circuit overloading the 15A breaker when the passing lamps were working. I fixed it by installing a relay, effectively bypassing the passing-lamp circuit from the lighting circuit breaker. I was adding about 5A to the low-beam circuit by making these changes, but only about 3A to the high-beam, which was no problem. Newer bikes may be able to handle the extra load on the lighting breaker without a mod, but I don't know.
Basically, the switching circuit for the relay runs from the low-beams thru the right nacelle switch (RK) and to the relay under the left side cover. The power is drawn directly from the battery and I installed a 10A fuse between the battery and the relay. That power goes directly to the passing lamps when the relay is activated. This has worked fine since 1998, at least until the switching wire from the low-beam cirucit broke continuity and I had to troubleshoot and replace it, not an easy proposition since I had not drawn out a diagram of my relay rig and I had to figure what I had done eight years ago. The relay is a standard automotive unit you can buy in any auto-parts store for a pittance. If anyone's interested I could draw it up and email it.
Basically, the switching circuit for the relay runs from the low-beams thru the right nacelle switch (RK) and to the relay under the left side cover. The power is drawn directly from the battery and I installed a 10A fuse between the battery and the relay. That power goes directly to the passing lamps when the relay is activated. This has worked fine since 1998, at least until the switching wire from the low-beam cirucit broke continuity and I had to troubleshoot and replace it, not an easy proposition since I had not drawn out a diagram of my relay rig and I had to figure what I had done eight years ago. The relay is a standard automotive unit you can buy in any auto-parts store for a pittance. If anyone's interested I could draw it up and email it.
Stage II
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Head light and passing lamps
Yeah. Folks need to be less concerned about watts and more concerned about how well the road (and roadside!) is illuminated in the darkness. Lumens is the measure of light output. Watts is a measure of the bulb's power draw. (watts=volts x amps) Don't exceed the capacity of your wiring harness! Changing a fuse anytime can suck. Changing a fuse at night can REALLY suck!
Dispersal of the visible energy created within the element is the job of the reflector(s) and lens design. Aviation 'spot' lamps are great for aviation because they can be seen for many miles when the the plane is aloft. That type of 'focused spot' pattern isn't ideal as a headlamp for ANYTHING that travels on the ground. The need to see the left and right sides of the roadway as well as directly ahead demands that the majority of visible energy be dispersed forward with light spilling to the left and right.
Aim your passing lights (and other lamps) based on your riding style and the types of roads you use at night. Most importantly, don't overdrive your lighting distance. Adjust your speed based on how far ahead of yourself you can see.
Be safe out there!
Dispersal of the visible energy created within the element is the job of the reflector(s) and lens design. Aviation 'spot' lamps are great for aviation because they can be seen for many miles when the the plane is aloft. That type of 'focused spot' pattern isn't ideal as a headlamp for ANYTHING that travels on the ground. The need to see the left and right sides of the roadway as well as directly ahead demands that the majority of visible energy be dispersed forward with light spilling to the left and right.
Aim your passing lights (and other lamps) based on your riding style and the types of roads you use at night. Most importantly, don't overdrive your lighting distance. Adjust your speed based on how far ahead of yourself you can see.
Be safe out there!
ORIGINAL: Longtimegone
Mike
I have no idea who Daniel Stern is and it really doesn't matter; watts is not a measure of light output. His argument only applies when the two bulbs are identical. It does not apply to different types of bulbs.
Best of luck to you. Ride Safely.
Mike
Mike
I have no idea who Daniel Stern is and it really doesn't matter; watts is not a measure of light output. His argument only applies when the two bulbs are identical. It does not apply to different types of bulbs.
Best of luck to you. Ride Safely.
Mike
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
RE: Head light and passing lamps
I resurected this thread by using the search button and after thoroughly reading all of the posts I understand what is being explained but I'm still confronted with my original dilema. Let me explain;
I have a Silverstar H4ST bulb in my headlight and have the stock 27W halogen bulbs in my passing lamps. Naturally there is a difference in color between the headlight and the passing lamps with the headlamp appearing whiter. I am trying to become more visable in daylight and am not concerned about night riding. After reading all the info on this thread I'm not sure if I will be more visable in daylight with the yellowish looking stock passing lamp bulbs or should I go with the whiter Silverstars? I'm kinda thinking the stock bulbs will be more visible to traffic during the daylight hours.
Does anyone know the answer to this question?
I have a Silverstar H4ST bulb in my headlight and have the stock 27W halogen bulbs in my passing lamps. Naturally there is a difference in color between the headlight and the passing lamps with the headlamp appearing whiter. I am trying to become more visable in daylight and am not concerned about night riding. After reading all the info on this thread I'm not sure if I will be more visable in daylight with the yellowish looking stock passing lamp bulbs or should I go with the whiter Silverstars? I'm kinda thinking the stock bulbs will be more visible to traffic during the daylight hours.
Does anyone know the answer to this question?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Head light and passing lamps
One HID lamp in the front will do exactly that. That's all I hear from my buddies when I'm riding behind them is how much my headlamp stands out as soon as they look in their rear view. It's so much brighter and visible, even in dayligt. For the cost of 3 silverstars, you can buy an HID lamp for the hi/lo...well, maybe a few bucks more anyways but not much.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 5
From: Currently the pig country of Arkansas
RE: Head light and passing lamps
The headlight replacement bulb is a H4... Now, on to passing lamps. What is the bulb number I need toreplace the passing lamps with Silverstars on a 2005or later Road King?
I don't want any high-end, extra wire/relay required, extreme wattage bulbs... Just the stock replacements... Any ideas?
Thanks
Edmo
I don't want any high-end, extra wire/relay required, extreme wattage bulbs... Just the stock replacements... Any ideas?
Thanks
Edmo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 2
From: USA
RE: Head light and passing lamps
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Head light and passing lamps
P=IE
Or...Power (watts) is equal to I (current) times E (voltage). You know the voltage is 12 volts (most of our bikes are 12 volt systems). You know the wattage of the bulb (usually on the base). Simple math to figure what the current will be (amperage).
I know this is basic, but I wanted to see if I could get it right after drinkin' Jack all day watching the 500.
Respect to all....
Better to walk in on both of your parents than just one of them!
Or...Power (watts) is equal to I (current) times E (voltage). You know the voltage is 12 volts (most of our bikes are 12 volt systems). You know the wattage of the bulb (usually on the base). Simple math to figure what the current will be (amperage).
I know this is basic, but I wanted to see if I could get it right after drinkin' Jack all day watching the 500.
Respect to all....
Better to walk in on both of your parents than just one of them!
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Medford, MA
RE: Head light and passing lamps
ORIGINAL: Lawdawg
What abut AMPs? Where can I find out how many AMPs the bulbs pull that are on the bike? My bike is an 05 E.C.
I am not as brave as Pat is, this bike is fairly new and I would hate screw something up. Knowing me and my ability, it would probably happen.
What abut AMPs? Where can I find out how many AMPs the bulbs pull that are on the bike? My bike is an 05 E.C.
I am not as brave as Pat is, this bike is fairly new and I would hate screw something up. Knowing me and my ability, it would probably happen.
I - Amperage
P - Watts
E - Voltage
So a couple of examples are as follows...
27w lamp draws 2.25 amps
55w lamp draws roughly 4.6 amps
and of course this is per lamp.
Hope this is more understandable now.
Matt