Any updates on the ADVmonster H4 LED?

[JTGS850GL]

Just curious why LED v/s HID? I've been an HID fan for some time now.

[Steve]

Bought 2, one for the Vetter and one for the 78', both have H4 so it should be good to go.

My Hella uses an H4 bulb, too. It's the reflector and lens that makes the difference, not the bulb.

Just curious why LED v/s HID? I've been an HID fan for some time now.

Unless you have a true HID setup, not just a bulb replacement, the pattern that is projected onto the road probably is not right. In fact, it might be so NOT right that it could be dangerous. Not just to you, by not putting light where you need it, but by putting light into the eyes of oncoming traffic.

The arc in the HID element that produces the light will never be in the same place as the filament in a bulb. The filament can be held it just about any position, but the arc will always arch upward from the terminals, putting the light source out of the focal point of the reflector.

Then there is the fact that they don't like to be fed intermittent or low voltage, which happens when you turn the key (and light) ON, then push the starter button. If there were a separate switch for the lights, it might be a little more inviting, but there is still that problem with the wrong reflector.

.

[Grimly]

I think I'll give up pointing out the claims made for lumens output is mostly BS.

[oddcycle]

I'm in a spot where I am planning to replace my whole headlight, reflector, bucket and all. PO installed a weird headlight with tiny turn signals embedded in the bucket. I am drawn to this LED bulb both for the power savings and the light. Do you guys have suggestions for a reflector that would play well with this system? If i'm starting from scratch I might as well fix the funky reflector problem while I am at it.

[OldVet66]

I am using one of these (http://store.candlepower.com/cad.html )on my GS1000 with the stock housing. I took it by a motorcycle dealer the other day who does inspections. They said there was no reason it wouldn't pass. They look for the odd patterns from the HID replacement bulbs. Make sure you change over to a series type R/R before you do.

[GS1150Pilot]

Based on this thread, I think I'll stick to replacing my stock bulb with a Silverstar.

[azr]

Arrived today, I'll update with a review tomorrow night. The first one will be going into my Vetter so the comparison isn't all that fair as the bulb in there now is crap so anything would be an improvement.

[OldVet66]

Passed Virginia inspection. The inspector was interested in one for his bike. The Lumen to wattage conversion table also falls below standard H4 bulbs so it meets all legal standards.

[azr]

I did finally take the bike out for a ride but it was hard to see the true difference as there are too many street lights where I am but right away it obvious there is a clear improvement. For sure people can see ME a lot easier and there's no doubt I'm going to be able to see better as well. This is a no brainer really for us Canadians. These are the same cost as a good H4 bulb up here in Canada.

[posplayr]

So this the one? If it is even better than a Silvania H-4 then it looks like a good option for my 8" Trainlight. Anybody else install on on a TrainLight?

http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-led-headlight/

I have an HID from DMM Tuning that I have meant to install but it is a 55W version and with this LED current draw dropping from 5 amps down to 1.5 amps with better light that seams a no brainer.

[OldVet66]

I would seriously recommend the ADVmonster rev2. It's $45.00 but has a smaller heat sink and an all metal mounting with a small reflector between the LEDs. 25W high beam. It's way better than a silverstar. The xenon bulb I replaced was as good and the Sylvania bulb. The LED is at least half again as bright and the color temperature makes it seem like it is much brighter than that. http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-led-headlight-rev2/

[azr]

Yes, that's the one. I'll have to check but I think they're cheaper now than when I bought them. I have a Sylvania H4 in the 78' and there's no comparison.

[GRAND ROUGE]

So this the one? If it is even better than a Silvania H-4 then it looks like a good option for my 8" Trainlight. Anybody else install on on a TrainLight?

http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-led-headlight/

I have an HID from DMM Tuning that I have meant to install but it is a 55W version and with this LED current draw dropping from 5 amps down to 1.5 amps with better light that seams a no brainer.

Jim, the unit in your link is just a wee bit too long for installation on our train light bucket. Did try it...not a good fit. I then purchased the unit referenced in Old Vet 66 post:
I would seriously recommend the ADVmonster rev2. It's $45.00 but has a smaller heat sink and an all metal mounting with a small reflector between the LEDs. 25W high beam. It's way better than a silverstar. The xenon bulb I replaced was as good and the Sylvania bulb. The LED is at least half again as bright and the color temperature makes it seem like it is much brighter than that.
http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-led-headlight-rev2/

I am 'on the fence' re whether or not there is a lighting improvement over the Silverstar presently installed. both from rider perspective and oncoming rider / driver. At present, I am running the Silverstar........unsure what to do re the Headlight warning lamp....Short of removing that dash light...... Am thinking maybe a few more options...a resistor maybe?...(running the Compufire RR since 2012)

[posplayr]

Jim, the unit in your link is just a wee bit too long for installation on our train light bucket. Did try it...not a good fit. I then purchased the unit referenced in Old Vet 66 post:
I would seriously recommend the ADVmonster rev2. It's $45.00 but has a smaller heat sink and an all metal mounting with a small reflector between the LEDs. 25W high beam. It's way better than a silverstar. The xenon bulb I replaced was as good and the Sylvania bulb. The LED is at least half again as bright and the color temperature makes it seem like it is much brighter than that.
http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-led-headlight-rev2/

I am 'on the fence' re whether or not there is a lighting improvement over the Silverstar presently installed. both from rider perspective and oncoming rider / driver. At present, I am running the Silverstar........unsure what to do re the Headlight warning lamp....Short of removing that dash light...... Am thinking maybe a few more options...a resistor maybe?...(running the Compufire RR since 2012)

Thanks for the update. With my 1/4 fairing everything in the headlamp area is a bit of a pain. It takes about an hour to r/r the fairing and get it adjusted correctly.

re: the headlamp warning light; the idiot light box actually detects the current to the headlamp and the brake lights. The Brake light current threshold is apparently low enough to avoid triggering the brake lamp circuit even with an LED bulb(for me at least it is working that way). On the headlamp, I'm assuming the 1.5 amps rated on the LED bulb is insufficient to avoid triggering the headlamp circuit. Ironically the headlamp bulb represents a bit of "overcooked" engineering. Do you really need a 5 watt bulb in your dash to light up when the 50 watt headlamp is out?

I could design a small circuit circuit that would work at 1.5 amps or lower. It looks like it would need an op amp, a FET and a hand full of resistors and probably some ESD protection. But is it really worth the effort? When it comes time I think I'll just pull that bulb or repurpose it.

Maybe I'll give the HID a try to see what it looks like from inside of the Trainlight.

[Charlie G]

I just ordered one of the ADVmonster rev2 bulbs http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-led-headlight-rev2/ after getting the longer one listed here: http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-led-headlight/ I hope I've got it this time. Anyone need a bulb?

cg