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General Category => General Discussion => What did you do to your FJ today? => Topic started by: Zwartie on June 18, 2015, 10:09:37 PM

Title: LED Auxiliary Lights
Post by: Zwartie on June 18, 2015, 10:09:37 PM
I purchased some LED auxiliary lights a couple weeks ago on eBay. Actually purchased 4 and went splits with Rob Hersey. Installed the set this evening. I already had a set on the bike but they were cheap-o's from Princess Auto and had 20W halogen lights. Enough to add some visibility for others to see me but not really enough light up the road too much for me. The new LED lights are 10W each and put out way, way more light than the old ones. Here's a link to what I got: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/400928620224?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/400928620224?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

Here are a couple pictures I took this evening after installing them. I should have taken a before/after photo but it was still light out when I removed the old ones.

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/9/112_18_06_15_8_55_32.jpeg)

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/9/112_18_06_15_8_53_47.jpeg)

They really make the headlight look yellow in comparison.

One note: 3 of the 4 light assemblies had to be "modified", or more correctly the manufacturing process had to be completed as the mounting tabs had to be filed down and the hole for the 3mm machine screw that secures the mounting tab had to be tapped - thanks Rob! The seller has offered a 15% refund for the trouble. Cost including shipping (before the discount) was almost exactly $50 CDN per pair of lights.

Zwartie
Title: Re: LED Auxiliary Lights
Post by: Zwartie on June 19, 2015, 07:07:55 AM
Here they are with a little more ambient light so you can actually see them installed.

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/9/112_19_06_15_6_05_13.jpeg)

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/9/112_19_06_15_6_04_17.jpeg)

Zwartie
Title: Re: LED Auxiliary Lights
Post by: magge52 on June 19, 2015, 09:15:08 AM
Zwartie, it looks like you drilled thru the fairing to mount the lites. Anything to look out for? How much further do the spot beams project compared to your hi beams? I read somewhere where a flood beam was used on the right side to better lite up the roadside and a pencil/spot beam on the left to project further down the road.

George
Title: Re: LED Auxiliary Lights
Post by: Zwartie on June 19, 2015, 10:24:11 PM
George,

No drilling through the fairing required. I used the same L-brackets that I installed for the previous halogen lights and they're mounted to one of the frame bolts. I got the (shelving) brackets at Canadian Tire (hardware store) and painted thems black but as the photo below shows, they're due for a touch-up. Boy, do the header pipes ever look like shit!

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/9/112_19_06_15_9_12_10.jpeg)

The LEDs do a great job of filling in the light between the bike and where the low beam hits the ground.

Zwartie


Quote from: magge52 on June 19, 2015, 09:15:08 AM
Zwartie, it looks like you drilled thru the fairing to mount the lites. Anything to look out for? How much further do the spot beams project compared to your hi beams? I read somewhere where a flood beam was used on the right side to better lite up the roadside and a pencil/spot beam on the left to project further down the road.

George
Title: Re: LED Auxiliary Lights
Post by: Charlie-brm on June 21, 2015, 08:11:25 AM
We need pictures of them aimed down the road please.  :yes:
Title: Re: LED Auxiliary Lights
Post by: Zwartie on May 12, 2016, 09:38:55 PM
Update: The LED lights that I purchased last year were not exactly as "robust"as I would have liked. They were supposed to be IP67 rated but of the 4 lights (2 for me, 2 for Rob Hersey), 2 of them failed due to water intrusion. Rob took the remaining 2 and modified them to ensure they would seal properly. So far they are still working on his bike. I bought them on eBay and the seller did not offer a warranty on them. You get what you pay for...

I just purchased the following from Super Bright LEDs: https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/mini-auxiliary-lights/10w-mini-aux-2in-modular-led-off-road-work-light/1699/ (https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/mini-auxiliary-lights/10w-mini-aux-2in-modular-led-off-road-work-light/1699/). The first thing I noticed was that the fit and finish is far superior to the previous set of lights. These are also IP68 rated. I went with the 10 degree beam angle.

Here's a picture of the installation:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/9/112_12_05_16_8_21_35.jpeg)

This is what you see when they're off:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/9/112_12_05_16_8_20_03.jpeg)

...and this is what you see when they're on:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/9/112_12_05_16_8_20_46.jpeg)

I have them wired through the horn relay so that when I press the horn button the lights turn off momentarily. I figure anything to help get attention out in traffic is a good thing.

Zwartie
Title: Re: LED Auxiliary Lights
Post by: aj52 on May 13, 2016, 02:40:25 AM
Hi Zwartie

Please excuse my English,I'm Afrikaans from RSA.

Why are the indicators burning with headlight? It looks nice like that.
So what I wanted to know is,how does the indicators work on your Fj?

Thanks
Hannes
Title: Re: LED Auxiliary Lights
Post by: Zwartie on May 13, 2016, 06:25:54 AM
Hannes,

The indicator bulbs are dual-filament so they work as running lights when the bike is running and also operate as turn signals. I believe they use an 1157 bulb, similar to the brake light bulb. I'm not sure if the bulb numbering is the same in the rest of the world as it is in North America. As far as I know (someone will correct me if I'm wrong), all FJ's with integrated front turn signals (1986 and up) operate this way. If yours are not, I'm wondering if someone installed single filament bulbs instead or the running light filaments are burnt out. There's been lots of talk on the forum about LED turn signal bulbs. I haven't tried that yet but I might...I just might.

Zwartie

Quote from: aj52 on May 13, 2016, 02:40:25 AM
Hi Zwartie

Please excuse my English,I'm Afrikaans from RSA.

Why are the indicators burning with headlight? It looks nice like that.
So what I wanted to know is,how does the indicators work on your Fj?

Thanks
Hannes
Title: Re: LED Auxiliary Lights
Post by: ribbert on May 13, 2016, 06:50:10 AM
Quote from: Zwartie on May 13, 2016, 06:25:54 AM
Hannes,

....... all FJ's with integrated front turn signals (1986 and up) operate this way.

Zwartie, I believe that was only for some markets, like the US and Canada.

Australian delivered bikes did not have running lights, and we get European (and rest of the world) spec machines, which more than likely includes SA.

Noel
Title: Re: LED Auxiliary Lights
Post by: aj52 on May 13, 2016, 07:38:03 AM
Thanks Zwartie for responding

FJ's here in RSA is not like yours,atleast not the few that I've seen so far.
I really like it,going to try it on mine,check if it is possible