H4 led headlight bulb

[kflyboy]

Saw and ad from J&P Cycles for an H4 led high-low 85W headlight bulb from a company called Show Chrome for $59 bucks plus shipping $7.99. Is this more Chinese junk? Looks like plug and play. Anyone know anything about this bulb? If it is legit, seems like an easy upgrade if it puts out good light. Back at the computer tomorrow morning. Everybody chime in because I am not real sure about using the DDM kit now.

[crazy steve]

Might be good, might not.... I personally know that J&P sells a lot of trick-of-the-month 'stuff' that's overpriced for what it is (along with some fine products too) so you need to be careful. $59 is a lot of money for a lamp....

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Kflyboy,

I reviewed what www.superbrightleds.com has and all they had were "Daytime" running light/H4 type bulbs, and so they are only rated for about ~380 or so lumen....no where near enough to light up the road. They say it uses 12 of the 0.5 watt SMD type LEDs, but they clearly state that they are NOT bright enough for night time use!!

Another one had 15 x 1.0 watt SMD leds and still only about 400 Lumens. The spec says ~63 lumen/Watt. The prices were only $15.00 to $27.00 respectively.

A quick search reveals that an H4 Halogen bulb has ~1800/1000 lumen for hi/low!

Looked at the JPCycles site, found a Showchrome Brand 80 watt LED using an array of 16 leds(5 watt ea) that's how they calculated 80 watt, but doesn't say what type fo 5 watt led, and no mention of LUMEN rating!
Also the consumer ratings were POOR...very dim light!!!

I would be leary of any LED bulb that doesn't specify the LUMEN rating!

Another one that was a bit pricier ($99.99...J&P Part: 161-457) and it had it's own ballast/power transformer...at least that's what it looked like. It uses the CREE style hi power LEDs, and is rated at some 1800 lumens.
Here's the actual manufacturer's site: http://www.headwinds.com/mm5/merchan...Category_Code=
**Note: Not DOT APPROVED**

Another on JP, Rivera Primo: J&P Part: 163-842 Also ~$100, uses CREE LEDS, ~2400 lumen output.

While doing another search, came across this item, it's rated at 3600 lumen for H4, for same price of $59.99 and has a cooling fan. BUT it's not DOT approved for road use!
http://www.cyclopsadventuresports.co...ulb-_p_83.html

Here's another site with an H4 Hi/Lo 3000/2000 lumen cree hi power Led bulb, with cooling fan(seem like may be too big/deep for headlight bucket) for around $100.00
But these CREE type LEDS draw a LOT MORE POWER, ie. 30 watts!!!
AND nothing on their site says anything about DOT approved!!
http://www.vleds.com/h4-mtg2-moto.html

Okay, happy shopping! T.C.

[jetmechmarty]

I just go for a night ride on my XS650 with stock light. Suddenly, my XS1100 headlight seems very bright indeed!

[kflyboy]

H4 led headlight bulb

Thanks for all the great research and feedback. I have a Piaa halogen halogen bulb. Cant afford the truck lites system at this time I have seen adds for other types of Piaa bulbs. I will check those out also.

[donebysunday]

I just go for a night ride on my XS650 with stock light. Suddenly, my XS1100 headlight seems very bright indeed!

This is what fourwheeldrivehardware recommended to use (eBay # 141274346193) with that headlamp I bought (eBay # 141284412143) for the best lighting. I know not the same as what your talking about but maybe some can't/won't spend more or even this much ? I'll report on this headlamp as it should be here this weekend, I may buy the bulb they recommend later to see what improvement with both the cheap trucklight and bulb that comes with it that I bought and too try it in the stock headlamp.

[donebysunday]

This means little unless on the road at night

Stock low beam

Trucklight low

Stock high

Trucklight high

The look

[IanDMacDonald]

That's weird your Truck Lite shows yellow. Is it LED?

[MaximPhil]

Hi Done,
Looks encouraging. The cut off on the Trucklight looks to be clean which may allow you to adjust it up slightly. Appears brighter too.
as you say the real test will be out on a deserted road with no other lights about. Lens looks like a proper light too. I expect it is glass.
Phil

[MaximPhil]

Thanks for all the great research and feedback. I have a Piaa halogen halogen bulb. Cant afford the truck lites system at this time I have seen adds for other types of Piaa bulbs. I will check those out also.

Hi kflyboy,
PIAA is an excellent brand. Unless you have the PIAA headlight I doubt the bulb alone will show any significant improvement.
The superior light from brands such as PIAA Cebie and even Bosch comes from the optics of the lens and the quality of the reflector.
Cibie uses 24% Lead Crystal Glass which is about the clearest glass you can make......which is why they cost so much.
Me. I am stuck with a Standard rectangle and a low voltage problem.....like a candle in brown paper bag
Phil

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Phil,

Your not stuck with the OEM rectangle. Haven't you seen Crazy STeve's tech tip/mod about being able to put an automotive type reflector into an xs rectangle bucket? Then you can use a new reflector housing with a clear front lens and new reflector silvering. JAT!

T.C.

[donebysunday]

That's weird your Truck Lite shows yellow. Is it LED?

Ian it came with an HB2 bulb, we discussed it here and came up with it being a modified 9004, I think ?

Hi Done,
Looks encouraging. The cut off on the Trucklight looks to be clean which may allow you to adjust it up slightly. Appears brighter too.
as you say the real test will be out on a deserted road with no other lights about. Lens looks like a proper light too. I expect it is glass.
Phil

Phil the lens is glass looks like quality glass, it's bonded to a resin like reflector.

[MaximPhil]

Hey Phil,

Your not stuck with the OEM rectangle. Haven't you seen Crazy STeve's tech tip/mod about being able to put an automotive type reflector into an xs rectangle bucket? Then you can use a new reflector housing with a clear front lens and new reflector silvering. JAT!

T.C.

Hi TC,
Yes I did see that post by Steve. actually my headlight is in fairly good condition IF I could just keep a decent voltage supply to it. So a major modification with out an adequate supply of the full 12 to 14 volts would be a waste of time and effort. So my effort is to be focused on getting a good consistent supply of the electrickery to the head light. Ignition switch is next but requires more space than currently available in the garage and weather is too cold for outside work.
Phil

[donebysunday]

http://tinyurl.com/oxmuk2o

Why does the description call these fog lamps? "Cibie light unit features round, high performance H4 fog lamps"

A:
Dunno. They're not fog lenses per se. I s'pose, due to the light pattern cutoff, that if you were careful with mounting placement, aiming, and the bulb you might be able to make 'em work, kind of. They're driving hi/lo light buckets & lenses that are "E" rated. And rather universally regarded as superior to OEM (and better than DOT class). If you drive a Jeep Wrangler with OEM lights, you won't believe what these and a wiring upgrade (wires and relays) will do for your night driving. see less