OzSTOC
Farkles, Gear & Accessories => Lights and Lighting => Topic started by: Diesel on September 08, 2011, 04:53:32 PM
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Had this HID kit sitting around for a while, and deided that this was the week for it to go in.
I've said on this forum before that I was not happy with the standard low beam's ability to keep the road lit in front of me when I dipped the spotties and high beam for oncoming traffic.
Enter the HID kit.
I can tell you that it was a relatively eeasy install for anyone with a moderate knowledge of your ST and electronics. The kit is set up to be just about fool-proof. The hardest 2 parts of this project were getting the tuppaware off both sides - 1 hr - and setting the HID electronics in a good spot that didn't interfere with the steering or glove boxes. I'd previously clued myself up on the actual removal of the halogen bulbs and - without this prior knowledge of how to unclip them, it would have been a nightmare.
(http://i54.tinypic.com/2hy9jc8.jpg)
Anyways - all went well and I had to extend the kit's power lead as it was not long enough to reach the pos battery terminal.
(http://i53.tinypic.com/id6byr.jpg)
They are magnificent! I haven't tested them on a night ride yet - but the difference is remarkable! I'd allowed all week for this and a couple of other minor maintenance projects - but got it finished in 3 hrs.
The lights were too bright to photograph directly on - but I got these pics to show you the difference. The old/standard halogens were roughly the same colour as the little marker lights above the main array...... now look.......
(http://i55.tinypic.com/10cu8fp.jpg)
They are even brighter than the sunlight in the background. These are the 6000k temp lights (sunlight is around 4800k).
In this final shot from the side - you can really see the vast difference in intensity be tween the HIDs and the more standard marker lights....
(http://i54.tinypic.com/6ypky0.jpg)
These are the H4-3 Bi-Xenon HIDs which means they have hi-lo beam, but the arc does not change - the switch moves the arc forward or backward in the reflector to produce a different light pattern (assimilating hi beam).
I also changed the coolant whilst I had STella undressed.
Cheers, Diesel
PS - here is the other half of my bike - note the cheat sheets for all those screws, bolts and clips.....
(http://i52.tinypic.com/vevhbk.jpg)
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Well, the new HIDs are going in as you read this, the bike has been 'undressed' and the new kit awaits fitment.
Just this darn WORK gets in the way of progress! :||||
I'll be doing the 'sneaky start' for a while until I wire in the headlight cutout bypass switch, so this kit should last for E V A R !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Went for the 55w this time too, so look out for the 'Oh SH#T! MY HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR HAS BEEN MELTED' post. :-((( :cuss
I'll update this post.
Cheers, Diesel
EDIT: Why a NEW set of HIDs I hear you ask? Read here: http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=216.0 (http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=216.0).
I am one of a very few this usually very reliable setup seems to have punished! :crazy
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HID headlights are one of the things on my list of things to do.
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Diesel is pleased to announce that he is HID again! :runyay
Just have to put her skirts back on now - oh and give her a bath! :eek
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We won't mention how long it has taken. :thumbs
Well done.
:blu13
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Hi Diesel, just wondering have you had any melting prob? How is the hi beam?
They look alot better than the standard candles.
Cheers adam :blk13
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Ive got HID's on the 94 St1100 and once set up they are brilliant.
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G'day Adam - no probs so far - just rode 480 clicks on the weekend with some other ST Legends and they can probably testify to how well a (twin headlight array) motorcycle with lights brighter than the sun, stands out! They light up the night road beautifully, and are wonderfully visible during the day. I'll post here if anything changes.
Cheers, Diesel
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Need a favor from any members out there with the H4 style HID setup pls. This is the one that moves the arc in and out 10mm or so when you flick the switch.
What I want to know is...
When you go to high beam, does the arc get moved in or out (ie - towards the handlebars or the front wheel?
Cheers, Diesel
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Now that I have blinded myself, the globe lights towards the handlebars.
I am still seeing a white spot in my vision. I won't be doing that again in a hurry.
:blu13
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Now that I have blinded myself, the globe lights towards the handlebars.
I am still seeing a white spot in my vision. I won't be doing that again in a hurry.
:rofl :rofl :rofl
Thanks for taking one for the team Mal :thumb
Do you have the shims? Or did you just bend/snip the tabs?
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On mine low is all the way out to the front, high the bulb is pulled back in (I used my hand to cover the bulb rather than look at it :grin. Some kits do shift the bulb angle rather than pull it in or out. If the kit is not working the way it should just reverse the signal going into the HID harness (mine came with a H4 plug no no way could you get it wrong)
I modified my headlight housing to accept the normal H4 bulbs, so no shims needed. The shims do make it a lot easier to locate the bulbs once you bend or snip off the two tabs that don't fit - same for normal H4s or a H4 HID kit (I have done Lionel's with the shims on his 2 bikes and dead easy). It is quite easy not to locate the bulbs properly and have the low beam all over the place.
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Oh Darling I bent mine.
:blu13
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Some info on different styles of HIDs.....
Mine's called a h4-3 bulb, you can get HID bulbs for hi/lo halogen bulbs as a replacement in 4 grades.
h4-1 has no highbeam at all
h4-2 has a high beam HID and lo beam halogen
h4-3 is that type that moves the light source
h4-4 has two HID vessels
Moving the bulb...
When the bulb moves backwards, this makes HI Beam
When the bulb moves forwards, this makes Low Beam
The bulb or 'arc' moves because there is an electromagnetic motor.
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Some info on different styles of HIDs.....
Mine's called a h4-3 bulb, you can get HID bulbs for hi/lo halogen bulbs as a replacement in 4 grades.
h4-1 has no highbeam at all
h4-2 has a high beam HID and lo beam halogen
h4-3 is that type that moves the light source
h4-4 has two HID vessels
Moving the bulb...
When the bulb moves backwards, this makes HI Beam
When the bulb moves forwards, this makes Low Beam
The bulb or 'arc' moves because there is an electromagnetic motor.
Hey Diesel,
which of the above type would you recomend? which is easier to install for a mechanical idiot.
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The H4-3 is what I use. I wouldn't want to have the halogen lo-beam as you may be replacing the globe more often than otherwise.
I threw up a link to the unit same as I run somewhere (EDIT: ... here.... http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=914.new#new (http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=914.new#new)), and installation is a piece of cake. Just make certain you get a GOOD EARTH! Can't stress the importance of this enough.
You'll also have to extend the +ive wire as it won't reach the battery.
Lastly - make sure the bases get SEATED CORRECTLY in the reflector otherwise your light spread pattern can be terrible.
We are all here to help if you want to try it yourself and get stuck.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Diesel
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H4-3 is the go. Installation is not that much more complicated that fitting a set of H4 bulbs and the wiring is like installing driving lights with a relay. If anyone needs some hand holding I am sure there are members around to guide you through the process.
I suppose I always fall into the trap of assuming that everyone on bikes has been doing maintenance and modifications since they strated riding, as you had to. Last time a bike of mine went near a workshop was in 1976 when my Honda CD175 had the starter chain looked at and the points were adjusted. Since then I have put the money for servicing towards tools :runyay
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thats fine but my shed is that small I can't swing a cat in it (literally, it fits the mower and thats it) and the last time I serviced a bike was back in the 80's. I look at my STeed with the fairing and all the bits and pieces and get a cold chill down my spine.
I would love to install some HID's maybe some spot lights and some LED tail lights, but don't want to F##k it up.
I might just have to buy the bits & pieces then go to mr Honda Mechanic and say "you fix prease".
:whistle :rd13
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I know my way around an ST1100 so the ST13 is a bit different bodywork wise. I have a double garage plus carport plus 3 lots of work benches so if you want to give it a go I may be able to help (I am in kaleen). I will just have to look up ST13 bodywork removal and install tips. There are a few threads around installing HIDs in ST13s with pictures - I mean Diesel did it!
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I know my way around an ST1100 so the ST13 is a bit different bodywork wise. I have a double garage plus carport plus 3 lots of work benches so if you want to give it a go I may be able to help (I am in kaleen). I will just have to look up ST13 bodywork removal and install tips. There are a few threads around installing HIDs in ST13s with pictures - I mean Diesel did it!
thanks for that SAAZ, im on the southside, if i'm allowed to buy some Farkles I might just be in touch. I'll supply :beer and maybe some :eat
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thanks for that SAAZ, im on the southside, if i'm allowed to buy some Farkles I might just be in touch. I'll supply :beer and maybe some :eat
Keep in mind that saaz ONLY eats anchovies & brussels sprouts, and doesn't drink at all. But he'd appreciate any Boy George albums you may have lying around to listen to.
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Keep in mind that saaz ONLY eats anchovies & brussels sprouts, and doesn't drink at all. But he'd appreciate any Boy George albums you may have lying around to listen to.
:well :well :hijacked
Really just running up my 700th post :hijacked :hijacked :hatwave :hatwave
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thanks for that SAAZ, im on the southside, if i'm allowed to buy some Farkles I might just be in touch. I'll supply :beer and maybe some :eat
Keep in mind that saaz ONLY eats anchovies & brussels sprouts, and doesn't drink at all. But he'd appreciate any Boy George albums you may have lying around to listen to.
I used to live on the Southside (in various parts, and Northside before, and the middle bit near the lake, then southside, then northside..)
I think Diesel is confused as he likes Rick Astley and has posters of Boy George on his garage wall (he should really have a clock up there to get his start time right) - I am a Marilyn fan myself. I like anchovies with chorizo, chilli, ham and cheese so he is honest about that (first time for everything) . Brussel sprouts are really good :0
Just one thing Diesel :spank
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:|||| :|||| :|||| :fp
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I really hope thats a mushroom Diesel
:cop
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I really hope thats a mushroom Diesel
:cop
or a diesel mushroom :spank
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Hey - guess what? Looks like something funny has happened!
I have been extremely concerned about the amount of light spilling from my reflectors that goes forward and up - i.e. into the eyes of oncoming killers cagers.
So I calls up Mal in Perth and he offers some great advice and help that eventually leads to this fact:
The chrome protective sheath/guard that surrounds the globe has been screwed on 180 degrees out.
This means that the majority of the arc's light hits the BOTTOM of my reflector and is projected upwards out the front.
I have to turn the guard/sheath 180* to correct this. (Even though the rest of the H4 base is seated correctly with regards to locating tabs etc).
Something I didn't know to check when I bought the kit.
I'll post up the results.
Thanks also must go to TJ189. Trev is very knowledgeable on just about everything too.
Thanks for your help and advice fellas. :thumbsup
Cheers, Diesel
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so you were possum hunting with your lights? interesting
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Ok folks - it's official! Diesel's HIDs are now A-OK! :thumb
Turns out Diesel was the Schlumpecker who some how seated the H4 base upside down! :eek
Dunno how I did that coz they seemed to sit perfectly - but that was the prob.
Now I have rotated them to their correct position and have a very satisfactory light pattern forwards.
I guess it's case closed.
One thing though - I AM doing the 'sneaky' start to get around the 'headlight cut-out switch' that does the on-off-on process for the HIDs (which they DON'T LIKE).
Cheers, Diesel
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G'day Adam - no probs so far - just rode 480 clicks on the weekend with some other ST Legends and they can probably testify to how well a (twin headlight array) motorcycle with lights brighter than the sun, stands out! They light up the night road beautifully, and are wonderfully visible during the day. I'll post here if anything changes.
Cheers, Diesel
Hi Diesel, have you had any problems with the HIDs,heat wise etc, i would like to get them,but don't want to do it if there is problems.
Thanks Aj :blk13
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Heat should not be an issue as the bulbs use less power than the originals if you use the 35W, and the same with the 55w.
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Had HID's in my ST1100)) without a problem reguarding heat?????? Ran 100/90's also in the bike and they were a hundrred times hotter than HID's and still not a problem
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Hey Diesel
One of my HIDs failed last week, so I reordered a whole kit from 'as-gold' on ebay. I noticed on the ST-owners forum someone said "if it was a single bulb failure it was determined to be a ballast typically". By getting the whole kit I've got it covered whether its a lamp or a ballast problem.
Then I noticed your post:
One thing though - I AM doing the 'sneaky' start to get around the 'headlight cut-out switch' that does the on-off-on process for the HIDs (which they DON'T LIKE).
Can you explain this further - I have limited electrical understanding.
Also, I saw on someone else's post that your HIDs also failed earlier in the year.
Cheers
Skid
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I just had a ballast fail after 2+ years on the bike. I also had one fail in the car after a short time. Bulbs were ok. I had a spare ballast from another kit I bought that I have now canabalised for the ballasts.
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Quote from: Diesel on March 04, 2012, 01:32:13 PM
One thing though - I AM doing the 'sneaky' start to get around the 'headlight cut-out switch' that does the on-off-on process for the HIDs (which they DON'T LIKE).
Can you explain this further - I have limited electrical understanding.
Also, I saw on someone else's post that your HIDs also failed earlier in the year.
What this means, is they have done what I did with mine. Use a 30amp switch, put this in the battery lead to the HID's, which should be on a relay.
I have mine hanging in the space beside the battery. One day I'll do the side stand mod.
:blu13
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Thanks for the explanation Mal, that seems quite do-able.
Cheers
SkidMark
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Hi Skid - Mal is almost right....
I'm not that far advanced as to have a remote power switch to my HIDs yet.
The sneaky start is.....
Hold your starter button BEFORE turning the ignition to start. Then turn the key to ignition, and let go of the starter once the bike is running. This will turn the headlights on - it avoids the on-off-on routine during normal starting. Try it and you'll see what I mean.
Keep in mind that as soon as you turn the iginition on (whilst holding the starter), you immediately engage the starter motor.
Soooooo hold the starter button, turn the ignition to the ON possie, let go of starter when bike starts to illuminate the HIDs.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Diesel
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Banana bending cowboys.
:crackup :rofl
:blu13
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Diesel, you've been called many things but..."Banana bending cowboy"
....I suspect this is high praise coming from Malcolm.
I do like like your "sneaky" start immensely and one day when I am able to straighten out my banana I would like to implement Broc's very impressive side stand switch solution which for the present lies beyond my current abilities.
Thanks for the advice, Sneaky Cowboy Diesel :thumb
SkidMark
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Were did you hide the ballast's?
I've got LED's that have a driver each. About the size I guess of some ballast's I've seen.
Any ideas?
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mine are sitting on top of the headlights
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:thumbsup :thumbsup