Super low current driving lights!

[2wTraveler]

I have been looking for an inexpensive alternative to driving lights. The obvious is going with an HID setup, but they are pretty pricey. The standard 55w driving lights I have now just draw too much power. So I started searching for alternatives and stumbled across H3 style replacement bulbs that convert them to high power LEDs. I bought a pair off ebay and plan to install them into my existing driving lights. The great part is they only draw 1 watt! Hopefully they produce enough light too, If this works out it seems like a no brainer for anyone that may be concerned about the capacity of their charging system. I will install them, take some pics, and post a review when they arrive.

Example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H3-1WATT-LED-FOG-DRIVING-LIGHT-BULB-XENON-WHITE-HID_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33709QQihZ006QQitemZ160163445503QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[Thor]

I have a bad feeling that they won't put out enough light to even hit the road.

[2wTraveler]

Yeah, but what the hay its only 20 bucks. Besides, I use one of those high end LED flash lights at work (Coastal I think) and it really projects a beam all the way across the shop with the lights out. I am willing to experiment a bit.

[Thor]

Yeah, but what the hay its only 20 bucks. Besides, I use one of those high end LED flash lights at work (Coastal I think) and it really projects a beam all the way across the shop with the lights out. I am willing to experiment a bit.

I bet your flashlight has more than one LED.  Do you know how many the piece you ordered has?

I have the same problem you have.  I don't have enough juice to be powering decent running lights.  It's bad enough I torture the system with heated gear.

[2wTraveler]

Same here, The heated gear alone works fine, and the lights alone work fine. However any combination of the 2 put me in the red. Not to mention all my other farkles (gps, xm, etc). The light I have at work is only 1 LED. Like I said before, I am sceptical but willing to try it out. I think the trick will not be the brightness of the LED, but that in combination with a good reflector in the light itself. I have tried a couple different types of lights and some seem very bright when you look directly at them, but they don't project down the road worth a crap.

[torags v2]

Trailtech HIDs.

[Mookie]

Switch out your existing headlights for HIDs and you'll have more than enough wattage left over for driving lights.  Course you won't need them since HIDs are bright a hell.

[HipGnosis]

They're making some GREAT improvements with LEDs these days.

A 1/4 watt LED is VERY bright.

I read that a  car maker (forgot which one) put LED headlights in a prototype car and the heatsink they ended up using was HUGE.

Most LEDs don't use / require a reflector because they are 'focused' by default, so that might not be a factor.  But the amount of their beam (aka focus) may not be what you desire.

Please keep us posted of your progress and results.

[number9]

Keep us updated on this, I picked up a FZ1 recently and would like to put some fork lights on it later - for the SEE-ME aspect, not so much lighting up the road.

I put HID kit on my ST1100. It was around $198 in a group buy I seen on this forum and the FJR forum. They have worked out really nice and are only 35W each. But, the ST's got a 40amp alt on it, so I have the HID's, a set of 55W lights on the forks, a set of PIAA 910's (110W) and heated gear - took the 910's off just because I don't use them after getting the HID, but it is nice to be able to crank everything up and not worry about the juice. Can't do that on the FZ.

[matkal]

Same here, The heated gear alone works fine, and the lights alone work fine. However any combination of the 2 put me in the red. Not to mention all my other farkles (gps, xm, etc). The light I have at work is only 1 LED. Like I said before, I am sceptical but willing to try it out. I think the trick will not be the brightness of the LED, but that in combination with a good reflector in the light itself. I have tried a couple different types of lights and some seem very bright when you look directly at them, but they don't project down the road worth a crap.

Are you talking about your FJR? More details please. I'm considering an FJR and would like to know what I can expect.
The GPS and XM don't draw much I'm sure, what all do you have as far as high wattage stuff? Heated grips, heated jacket, pants and gloves?
What is the wattage of your driving lights?

I run a heated jacket and two 50or55watt driving lights on my 1990 FJ1200 and thats about the most I can run. I would hope an FJR could do better.

[Andrew]

Well here is my latest mod regarding extra light down the road.


First I started with these lights   http://www.rallylights.com/Optilux/optilux_1500.asp

they worked quite well and the cost can't be beat (great focus even dispersion of light)

Then I got the Idea to UP the POWER
So I added this kit   http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/XENON-HID-CONVERSION-KIT-BALLAST-H3c-4300K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ36476QQihZ009QQitemZ190148361301QQtcZphoto
 
It took a bit of work to get the lights and the HID kit to fit together properly
I just finished it tonight (so I do not have pics yet) All I can say OMFG THESE ARE THE BRIGHTEST MOST POWERFUL LIGHTS I HAVE EVER SEEN ON A BIKE, CAR OR AIRCRAFT.
I took the bike out on the street in front of my house to get an accurate judgment of alignment of the lights. Well I got them aligned, but had to cut it short as the neighbors started looking out there windows (I think they were expecting a UFO invasion from all of the light) These lights defiantly CAN NOT be used when there is a car in front of me or for that matter when there is flammable material around

Total cost less than $160 and worth every penny. That and running the HIDs only draw 70 watts

[Bueller]

Switch out your existing headlights for HIDs and you'll have more than enough wattage left over for driving lights.  Course you won't need them since HIDs are bright a hell.

+1.

In fact just do the high beam.  You'll need to find room for the Ballasts.  You go from 55 Watts to 35 Watts with many more lumens (3x).  Gives you back the Watts you use for the heated's.  You offset the cost against the new lights, the mounting and the burnouts in your charging system.

[Bueller]

I've just done a bit of reseach.  (Thanks thread)

http://www.gadgetmaster.com.au/index.php?cPath=31

My H7 high beam globe is history.  3200 lumins from 35 Watts in a straight fit replacement.  Driving lights are wind resistance.

[budah1]

Trailtech HIDs.

agree just have them on a toggle so they are not on when starting the bike.  They are bright

[whodat]

I have been looking for an inexpensive alternative to driving lights. The obvious is going with an HID setup, but they are pretty pricey. The standard 55w driving lights I have now just draw too much power.

Do this simple mod on your Daytona and run the 55w lights to your hearts content.

http://www.triumphrat.net/modifications-workshop-talk/68040-weak-charging-system-the-solution.html

[Bueller]

Do this simple mod on your Daytona and run the 55w lights to your hearts content.

http://www.triumphrat.net/modifications-workshop-talk/68040-weak-charging-system-the-solution.html

That's a good tip

Thanks

[Squiggy]

Trailtech HIDs.

I would like to try these next.

So far my Piaa 1100X are fantastic so I'm in no hurry.

[number9]

So what's the update on these high-powered LEDs?

[2wTraveler]

They came in the other day and have been sitting on my workbench, I briefly hooked one to a spare battery and they seem to be pretty bright. The light doesn't really stay in a focused beam but spreads widely. I will have to put them into a set of driving lights to be able to report anything more on them. Maybe this weekend.