Headlight relays?

[delarbreavous]

I was on the yamaha fj faq list today and read that someone rewired the headlight with some relays
resulting with a munch powerfull light beam

Has anyone done this?
is it expensive?
can it be easily done?

is it worth it?

Alain

[rktmanfj]

Yes.

No.

Yes.

Yes.

Here's the one I used... there are others.  Google will find them for you.       

http://www.electricalconnection.com/wire-harnesses/hrns_headlight.htm

Randy T
Indy

[FJ Flyer]

If you go into the Files area, there are instructions and a schematic, if you're handy with the electrons.

[E Double]

I installed a relay kit from Eastern Beaver Company just a few weeks ago.   They're easy enough to make yourself (did so for my 76 R90S long ago) but Jim's relay kits are so complete and agreeable price-wise I didn't feel the need to save a few dollars for the DIY route.   They do make a big difference and are well worth the 30 or so minutes it takes to install them.  My dash lights used to visibly dim when the high beam was switched on.  No more.  And the indicators have gotten a bit brighter.   Definitely worth the money, and mandatory if you're contemplating higher wattage lights and/or HIDs.

                                                                               Dennis

[jvb_ca]

http://www.electricalconnection.com/wire-harnesses/hrns_headlight.htm

Randy T
Indy

I also did what Randy suggested. Works like a charm, easy to install and now I have lights and can see at nite...

Cheers...

[rktmanfj]

http://www.electricalconnection.com/wire-harnesses/hrns_headlight.htm

Randy T
Indy

I also did what Randy suggested. Works like a charm, easy to install and now I have lights and can see at nite...

Cheers...

Oh, I still can't see at night, but not because I don't have good lights.       

Randy T
Indy

[delarbreavous]

went on the eastern beaver company site,

they offer a relay kit that can have the hight and low headlight work together

does anyone have this kit on their bike?

is it worth it???  more light, more visibility, more fun driving at night??

[rktmanfj]

went on the eastern beaver company site,

they offer a relay kit that can have the hight and low headlight work together

does anyone have this kit on their bike?

is it worth it???  more light, more visibility, more fun driving at night??

Go back through this thread, and read post #4.  Helloooo....           

Randy T
Indy

[delarbreavous]

I'm specifically asking if anyone has the relay that lights the hi and lo beam at the same time
(H4 Heavy Duty Single 'Dual Beam' Headlight Relay Kits (LO beam on with HI)!!

Alain

[rktmanfj]

I'm specifically asking if anyone has the relay that lights the hi and lo beam at the same time
(H4 Heavy Duty Single 'Dual Beam' Headlight Relay Kits (LO beam on with HI)!!

Alain

If the regular relay kits put out more light, then why wouldn't the dual beam kit also offer more light?

Randy T
Indy

[delarbreavous]

I'm sorry if I'm not clear with my question Randy
I know both kits will give more light
one kit makes the hi and lo beam work separatly (standard)
the other one will let the low beam on when switching the high beam on

I just don't know which one to choose!!! (pros/cons)

Alain

[E Double]

went on the eastern beaver company site,

they offer a relay kit that can have the hight and low headlight work together

does anyone have this kit on their bike?

is it worth it???  more light, more visibility, more fun driving at night??

I just ordered an HID unit from DDM tuning.  3x more light with less heat and significantly longer bulb life is better (to me, at least)than twice as much light (vs 55 watt low) and quite a bit more heat.   I used one of those kits(not from eastern beaver) on my old Concours and it gave me nothing but grief and enough burnt out bulbs that I pulled it out and went to a standard relay.   10 years ago (before HIDs were a viable option) doing a hi+low setup was the best you could do if you wanted more light.   In 2009 you can spend $200 or less (much less if you're daring enough to mess with the $40 HID units on ebay) and get a light setup that is brighter and more efficient than pretty much any halogen setup.  Just my 2 Krugerrand mind you.

                                                        Cheers,

                                                                 Dennis                                     

[delarbreavous]

hi dennis,

I went on ddm website, which kit did you buy?

And can you tell  me which system your kit is using for the HI/LO beams (a dual filament bulb or one filement with a deflector
thanks
Alain

[E Double]

Hey Alain,

    I purchased the 55w H4 hi/low in 4500K.   I'm not certain if it uses the servo or has a dual element, but my friend has been running one on his bike for over a year and hasn't had any issues.   I paid something like $85 with shipping for it.   I would think at that price it would be the servo (because the other bulb type costs more) but I've read that the owner of DDM deals straight with a factory in either China or Taiwan for his HID kits so he cuts out the distributor markup.  They come with a lifetime warranty so I'm willing to give these a shot, and if they roll over and die in an untimely manner I'll go with the $235 kit that WebBike World reviewed.  I forget the name of that one.  I looked on some Triumph and CBR forums and everyone that has one likes it.  The only thing I've seen is when someone decides to get silly and go with the higher temp bulbs.  The higher the temp (above 4500K or so) the bluer the light=the poorer the visibility with it.   This one guy I know purchased a 12,000K kit on ebay for his M3.   His car threw more light when he had the tinted covers on than when he had the barney purple HID vision going.  I'll probably put it in next weekend.  I'll take pics when I do.


                                                                         Cheers,

                                                                              Dennis

[MyFirstNameIsPaul]

I'll probably put it in next weekend.  I'll take pics when I do. Dennis

Hey, Dennis.  See if you can take before and after pics at night, away from any street lights, both pics with the bike in the same location, from the rider's perspective, and rev up to about 3000 RPM to get full brightness, especially out of the halogen.  Be sure to use the same f-stop, ISO, and shudder speed on your camera (I recommend using a tripod, if you have one).  This is the type of pic that no one ever takes.  They always take pics looking at the bike in the garage with the camera in auto and often the garage lights are on.  Useless.

And please post your impressions of the 55W.  The DDM kit has been on my list of things to get for a while now, but I've been concerned that the 55W would be too bright in the Low setting and I would irritate other cars.  That's what I like about my 55/130 Candlepower bulb.  I can get tons of light when there aren't any cars around, but I don't bother anyone normally.  BTW, I do have an Electrical Connection relay kit installed.

I'm also curious if the HID will work with both low and high beams on, since the Yamaha switches have that nice sweet spot.