CB550K3 LED lighting Upgrade.

[Rob.b (Rob Birkett - RIP)]

Well now, I think that all this book learning has brought more heat than light to this subject.

...............................Oh! wait a cotton picking minute, that could be the answer: perhaps they have figured out a way to make them burn less hot, and so more of the energy that they use is turned into light than regular halogen bulbs, this could explain why they last a little longer too.

Just a thought   

R

[mike the bike]

Correct,  that's why halogen domestic bulbs are 42W instead of 60W, and LED downlights are 5W instead of 50W.

[Ashdowner]

Final update. I've now replaced the filament bulbs with LEDs for stop/tail, and indicators. Total cost including LED flasher unit was £20 (I think I was overcharged for the stop/tail). Already the battery draining problems I had in traffic have disappeared but I've also ordered a  Philips Energy Saver H4 headlamp bulb for £3. Next question is can I replace the small bulb in the headshell with an LED that would be bright enough to use on it's own during the daytime as I want to put a 12v USB socket on for other things that might draw the spare power that I've now gained e.g. satnav etc.

[Alex jb]

You talking about the indicator idiot light?
You can, but you will need to use 2 diodes and Earth the LED in your system.

[mike the bike]

The diodes are backwards,  and you need a resistor to limit the current going through the LED

[Bryanj]

If you mean the sidelight bulb in the headlamp you can put an LED in there but neither it nor the original is bright enough for daylight running

[Ashdowner]

Yeah Bryan that's the one I meant. I was thinking that as many cars have LED's for daylight running it might be possible to do the same for a bike.

[Bryanj]

As I said I don't think the one bulb would be enough, if you fitted a strip of leds facing forwards maybe. That one bulb is designed as a parking light not a running light

[Chris400F]

Have a look on here:
http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/GoffyDaytimeLights.htm
I think it's one of the T10 10MM Capless bulbs I have fitted (can't check as I am not home at the moment).
They are pretty bright. I also have one of his stop/tail bulbs fitted (LEDACE 25RST)

[Ashdowner]

Thanks. For the princely sum of £4 I'm going to give that a try.

[Chris400F]

Make sure you get the right fitting bulb.
My capless one is in a Cibie unit, suspect the standard fitting is probably a bayonet (also available, probably the BA15).