HID headlight with LED backup

Evans · Post by **Evans** » Sat Sep 01, 2012 6:16 am

I haven't time to try this at the moment but I've bought a HID headlight bulb conversion from ebay UK. It's plug and play and should give a really good headlight beam. If it is OK with the registration authorities I'm intending to use the HID on one headlight and a LED headlight bulb in the other. AS far as I can see this would give me a vastly improved light with less required amperage . I've got all the bits to do this just no time to do it now. Anyone got any ideas as to how it will work out ?

Teneroma · Post by **Teneroma** » Sat Sep 01, 2012 2:54 pm

A friend had problems with his HID install on his 4X but he built his system from parts, I believe the ballist that starts the light can be a pain, also the quality of bulb. I don't have that much knowledge but from what I can tell is that if you buy a good purpose made kit than it should not be a problem.
Personally I have used led for my MTB riding and have used another riders hid once and did not like the color of the light, I found it made everything look the same meaning I could not see ruts and rocks. If I do my tenere I hope to use led. But that's later.
Sorry I can't be of much help

dunc · Post by **dunc** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 12:00 am

I've still got the standard lights on mine but was thinking of replacing them with a pair of 65W/55W halogens. Does anyone know if the electrical system will handle this?
Back in the mists of time, I replaced the headlight on my GSX250 with a 110W/90W halogen and although the light was great, the bike started eating magneto coils and voltage regulators from that time forwards.

patrick2wd · Post by **patrick2wd** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:57 am

dunc wrote:the bike started eating magneto coils and voltage regulators from that time forwards.

you could expect pretty much the same,
on a dutch forum everyone is trying all sorts of options, but best light is (as far as I know) HID, Led has a long lifespan too, but bulb-quality/ ballast etc. can be a pain..

led works great too, but light is not as bright as with HID, hence most people go for HID.
on a 3AJ there's plenty space for ballast, but if you go offroad, not sure if it can handle shocks that well,
I have a set of HID 4/4 (hi/ low beam in one lamp, without mirror...
But I guess thats going into my 142 (Volvo baby!!)

dunc · Post by **dunc** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:29 pm

patrick2wd wrote: if you go offroad, not sure if it can handle shocks that well

A ballast is just a coil isn't it? No moving parts or anything? I know the HID beam/dip mechanism is mechanical, my guess is this is what would get bollocksed going off road.
Is it possible to get an HID at 40W/35W (or whatever the standard 3AJ lights are)?

Teneroma · Post by **Teneroma** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 11:12 am

There is some big threads on adv with a vender that sells hid gear. Seems to have the knowledge and right gear but I have not tried so can't vouch for the info, just thought it might be worth reading

patrick2wd · Post by **patrick2wd** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:03 am

maybe get a 3 inch H3 headlight,
thats a lamp with separate bulb for hi/ low beam, but not sure if it exists or fits in a 3AJ fitting.

look on the internet for a H4/4 Hid bulb...

somewhat dodgy picture, but a H4/4 has two bulbs, hence you need double the ballast too..

I guess ballast can be a pain to fit on certain bikes..

patrick2wd · Post by **patrick2wd** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:05 am

dunc wrote:
patrick2wd wrote: if you go offroad, not sure if it can handle shocks that well
A ballast is just a coil isn't it? No moving parts or anything? I know the HID beam/dip mechanism is mechanical, my guess is this is what would get bollocksed going off road.
Is it possible to get an HID at 40W/35W (or whatever the standard 3AJ lights are)?

I meant the bulb itself.. yes..

Mezo · Post by **Mezo** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 7:20 am

Has anyone played with H4 cree LED`s ? (yes i know things move quickly in technology) and this thread is a few years old.

And regarding HID from what ive read

HID conversions (using the OEM glass reflector lens) never work properly because they need a proper lens designed to work with that light source.

Mezo.

jibber · Post by **jibber** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 8:02 am

I got a couple a while back Mez, the light output was good, but they seemed to scatter the beem a bit, which concerned me, in case of dazzling, so took them back off. After reading around on the net, having the right lens and reflector is just as important with led as hid.
These are the ones I got
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271513186627? ... 26_rdc%3D1
and to be fare, they appear to be quite well made, not sure the fan on the back does a lot though, very slight delay flashing to high from low, plug and play.