Latest on 1156/1157 Amber LED bulbs?

[suzukizone]

My data is using a clamp on ammeter and measuring the AC amperage coming out of each leg of the AC stator legs. It was posted on keepandshare but they have deleted teh account for inactivity. Usually i can use the filename in the old link and search for the file on my machine but so fare coming up empty.

If I get a chance, will see if I can fit my clamp on meter to the output wires and see what readings I get. Recent replacement purchase & haven't used the clamp on function. Not sure how much room I have to work to catch the wires. Understand the principal though.

Had I been able to do that in high school perhaps things would have gone better. My dad modified one of those "My son is an honor student,....etc." bumper stickers to read.

"It is an honor that my son is still allowed to attend the Millard Fillmore High School after he set fire to the principal's desk" It was a very large bumper sticker and dad had to buy a used 1958 Buick to fit it on.

DH

[Gorminrider]

Federal regulations in the US of A stated that any motorcycle built on or after 01 JAN 1979 must be equipped with a headlight that is ON when the bike is being ridden. That is why the GSes phased out the headlight switch on the US models, starting with the '79 models. Since other world markets still allowed headlights to be turned OFF, the switch stayed, but there was a mechanism installed to block it in the ON position for a couple of years until they came out with a new housing that did not contain the switch.

I have found that the stock incandescent light uses just under 1/3 of the output, which seems to agree with Suzuki's philosophy of turning off one leg of the three-phase stator when the headlight was turned off. I found it was LESS than 1/3 because the voltage at the battery was just a little bit higher when the headlight (and the third stator leg) was turned ON.

You should also be aware that all these silly voltage and current readings are assuming something near maximum output. If you are running at less than 2500-3000 RPM, your stator output is considerably below maximum. That is also the time when you are likely to have the additional loads of brake light(s) and turn signals. That load will come from the battery if the stator can not supply it. When engine speed gets back up, any excess the bike is not needing will go back into recharging the battery.

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Yes well the suggestion is specific to the OPs consideration...I think it's very unlikely anyone will stop you if you run a couple of well-placed running lights in daylight. Or even just one....certainly nobody's bothered me when I've forgotten to switch the headlamp on...Unfortunately, I even see cars with NO daytime lights-dangerous fools. And, by the by, you may have seen certain minivans that run orange daytime running lights factory-purposed... a bit of variety seems to be acceptable in cars

[mrbill5491]

What's the latest skinny on Amber 1156/1157 bulbs. I have been trying various bulbs both white and amber on '81 GS850G w/ Vetter Windbreaking fairing with the 1157 on fairing for TS & Running lights functions. So far the only satisfactory bulb is the traditional tungsten type as to brightness & depth of color. All LEDs to date have been too pale, too weak though I love the reduced current load.

I see back in the day BassCliff touted the SuperBright LED offering for a $30 taillight bulb. They have an 1157 Amber LED but they are $10 a pop. I would rather not drop $40 (+S&H??) to get what I want in all TS positions F&R.

Has anyone come up with AMBER LED alternatives at a reasonable price? I just got a pair of 1157 LED from eBay. They were white.
(YES I know should have been amber but the amber LEDs to date haven't been good enough and thought since my tungsten bulbs are clear it is at least worth a try)

So have a $5.00 pair of nice enough LEDs to join my evergrowing LED collection but no closer to nirvana yet.

I did get some VERY spectacular auxiliary little LED running white and flashing red bulbs from Aerostitch and will review these in the Buyer Reviews Forum next day or two. These are incredible especially the rear facing flashers.

Await any & all replies especially from geezers on social security who cannot spend as freely as many here. Also have nice collection of LED bulbs for sale at closeout pricing!

I remain,

DH

I bought my tail light from here. http://www.superlumination.com/

[posplayr]

I bought my tail light from here. http://www.superlumination.com/

Those are pricey; the ones I got 3156/3157 are closer to $8 per. They seem brighter than Incandescent but the 3157 is not lighting correctly.

[suzukizone]

I bought my tail light from here. http://www.superlumination.com/

Thanks MR. Bill. Would gladly accept a set as a birthday gift but $30/ea too rich for my cheapskate blood. So far the info posted as to why the pinpoint glowing element of the tungsten bulbs outperforms any LEDs has been my experience so while I do use some, when they don't work, I eschew them. I have a LOT of lighting on the rear of my ride and am using either LED replacement bulbs or actual LED constucted lighting which works OK. The more Roadkill looks like an alien reconnaissance UFO, the safer I feel.

I'm deciding to stick with the old school tungsten 1157s until there is a affordable and at least equivalent in performance LED.

DH