LED lights

[Oddjob]

Fair play, although TBH I've not seen a switchgear burn out due to power demands, shorts yes. Doesn't hurt to play safe though. IIRC the draw for an LED headlight is about 10-15w only.

[Pauarc]

Spec of L E D are

[Oddjob]

Well I've fitted thousands of LEDs and those are explained wrong. What they are saying is that they are equivalent to those wattages, not that they'll draw that much power. 45w for a sidelight??? add running one of the beams as well and you're likely the flatten the battery very quickly. 

[Pauarc]

Yes I can see what you mean about it is the equivalent to the wattage it says

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Ken is right I think in that the watts shown are defintely not a true reflection of the current used by LED's.

The important part I think is to look at the light output in a typical quarts Iodene H4 bulb will have an output of around 1350 Lumens  for main beam the LED unit is around 3600 Lumens that more than double the light output even more if dip & main are on together as with these lamps thats 6,000 Lumens.

[Pauarc]

For a matter of interest I put an amp meter on feed wire (old side and main bulb was 4.1A on main beam) then on L E D which was as you see less. Side and dip then side and main

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

So around 18/30 w dip/main rating.

[Oddjob]

Certainly better than 135w for main and side they were quoting.

[Pauarc]

Yes I agree and thanks for all the help on the LED lights they take less power for a better light 💡

[Bryanj]

I think they mean EQUIVALENT LIGHT OUTPUT to the wattage

[Skoti]

Just ordered a direct fit compact LED P45t bulb from Classic led's.

They do cool white, halogen white or warm white if you want to keep the classic look.

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/products/compact-direct-fit-p45t-r2-led-hi-lo-beam-conversion-5-15-volts-410-423?variant=45394184667432

I'd previously fitted a halogen bulb and relays but discovered the charging system can't keep up if you're stuck in city traffic with lights on and indicators flashing plus holding the brake light on at traffic lights etc.

My volt meter was down to 11.2v at idle speed.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/GQUC6TZKV9SkJBCh9

[Martin6]

I managed a morning's ride with a heated jacket and heated gloves plugged into my bike. Running your battery down just due to dipped headlights doesn't seem right to me? Maybe check your battery or charging system is ok?

[Bryanj]

They are only about 180w generator at high revs when new

[Skoti]

Martin,
thanks for your input and good to know you're getting out and about on your Honda.

I'm still using the original rectifier and voltage regulator on my CB750F1, but did once have have an overcharging problem which I fixed with info gleaned from this forum. (But that's maybe for another subject thread).
However my new battery and charging system now works exactly as it should, I fitted a voltage meter to keep an eye on it.

Sometimes I do stuff without considering the consequences such as fitting the halogen headlight bulb.

As Bryan mentions the generator needs high revs, but that's not always possible in city stop/start traffic so it's not enough to replenish the battery voltage lost whilst idling at standstill.
Also I have a Boyer electronic ignition system fitted which apparently cuts out if the battery voltage is too low.

So I've learned the hard way that the charging system can just about cope in city traffic when the bike is in standard original spec.
Anyhow all this has been gone over in a previous thread where Julie mentions what I've just learned!


So back to the original thread subject, I'm hoping LED bulbs should help lower the power loss in city traffic.
 
 

 
 

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

FWIW I tend to hook my battery up to my smart charger pretty much every week last summer plus monthly in the winter when it is not used. If I've been changing bulbs or testing circuits etc I tend to pop it on charge again.

I have noticed that AGM batteries hold their charge (if measured as voltage) much longer when the bike is standing. I use a quick coupler under my seat to connect the C-Tek to my bike & our old car.

Easy for me as I have electricity in my garage plus water proof sockets at the front of the house and on the outside of my garage.