In a similar vein to the "How much extra electrical power is left over?" thread, I was searching here and online for an LED replacement for our headlight.  Although I did find LED H4/9003 bulbs, all the descriptions listed them as being "daytime running light" replacements.  One sight even had a big warning "NOT TO BE USED AS A HEADLIGHT".

I searched here, and tried a couple of different google searches with different keywords.  I looked around superbrightled but didn't find anything.  Is there a suitable LED replacement for the headlight?

No. Not yet.

Actually, i have seen a 7" Led headlight that is approved by DOT.

I cant remember where it was, but i think it was on www.4wd.com. They are pricey as hell though.

Here's what i was talking about:

www.bjsoffroad.com/cartgenie/prod-1062.htm

OUCH! @ $309.00!

still, at least there is an alternative... maybe this winter i'll check it out.  Im trying to save every watt I can for some upgrades to the bike over the winter

I am two classes from an Electrical Engineering degree. For those of you for the outlawing of incandescent bulbs, expect to pay $80 for an equivalent led bulb that lasts just as long. There is a reason you do not see led powered projectors, i would not trust any LED tecnology out there for a headlight. Also ALMOST ALL led lights that have multiple LEDs in them are complete cheap crap, and the LEDs randomly burn out. The quality LEDs run $20-40 a piece with hookups/sampling for research & contracts, that excludes a power supply and a heat sink.

Even though i think they are the future they are at least 5-10 years off. And if you are buying a television definitely go for the LED back lit screen, better picture, A LOT less power consumption(25-40%), and no bulb to burn out.

I don't think anyone here is trying to "outlaw" incandescent bulbs.  I'm trying to save power so I have it for other things I want that will consume power.

Hey TucsonDude, do you have any info on converting to a HID bulb? I know the kits are less than $75 and they draw a massive amount of power upon startup, but they have great light output and only run at 35 watts.

Quote from: Big Rich on August 29, 2010, 06:12:55 AM
Hey TucsonDude, do you have any info on converting to a HID bulb? I know the kits are less than $75 and they draw a massive amount of power upon startup, but they have great light output and only run at 35 watts.

sorry no i do not have any experience with them. I was seriously debating doing the conversion also, however I decided not to due to the horrible beam pattern on my gs. I assume it would be the same as converting a car, and fairly self explanatory. All I know is avoid the cheap ebay brands. I would also put a manual kill switch or timing circuit to be entirely sure it isn't trying to work when you run the starter.

Quote from: Big Rich on August 29, 2010, 06:12:55 AM
Hey TucsonDude, do you have any info on converting to a HID bulb? I know the kits are less than $75 and they draw a massive amount of power upon startup, but they have great light output and only run at 35 watts.

I'm running a HID kit on my F. They don't draw a massive amount of power on startup, the kit i have only draws 6 amps at startup and runs 3.4 amps once the bulb has heated up, however the initial startup draw is taken from the ballast as it stores a charge specifically for the initial lighting of the bulb. It uses 35 watts and outputs 3,200 lumens vs  the 1200 lumens of a 55w halogen bulb. Let me know if you need any more information.

Sounds like it's pretty straight forward. Do you have a link to where you got yours?

Here's a semi-recent thread with relevant info on HID and general headlight discussion

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53510