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let there be light

Submitted by robert_tuck on Mon, 31/07/2023
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Electrical

While at the Ardingly show yesterday I visited Paul Goff's stand to buy a new bulb for my chrono speedo. I have not so far taken any notice of the new trend in LED lighting apart from valuing my LED head torch which goes everywhere with me. Paul sold me an LED pilot bulb for my old and somewhat corroded BPF headlight and a new Higher wattage Halogen main/dip bulb.   WOW , what a transformation . The pilot is now a very bright sharp white and visible for miles , the old Halogen bulb was somewhat blackened internally and the new bulb is far more efficient . I will definately be leading the way home from the evening club meetings at the SS pub. I will also be on the lookout for a new "Globe" as the reflector is only going to get worse.  The only downside is i now have to find some way of dissapating a few more excess watts that my uprated alternator produces. and the Lucas Zener struggles with.    Don't be a ludite   fix that dull- lite,   before it does for you !!.

Submitted by julian_wells on Mon, 31/07/2023

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Out of curiosity, why did you not go for an LED headlight? Is it the excess output of your uprated alternator?

Submitted by robert_tuck on Tue, 01/08/2023

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Hi Julian,   Not convinced LED  will give a proper beam with BPF reflector , not enough room with the extra stuff i have in the shell ,  I already run a 65 watt halogen anyway which has impressed other club members who choose to follow me at night.  A lower  consumption bulb will just add to my issue with a bit too many watts produced that I have to dissapate when not using my heated jacket or other gismos. I am contemplating fitting an oil heater element in the tank as all the doodling around (20 mph  limits and cameras everywhere ) means it takes ages to properly warm up. Perhaps I could route an oil line round the zener ,that seems to warm up fast !!. Might consider switching to a H4 reflector if its not bigger( deeper). Who knows?

Submitted by alan_osborn on Thu, 03/08/2023

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I thought I had added to these posts? A zener that is struggling? The Lucas Zener is rated at 100Watts, if it exceeds this is goes 'pop' either short cct-blows fuse or open circuit, no regulation. if you fit knowingly a High output alternator then I suggest you understand what you are doing and do it right. There could be case here for the Reg/Rect to appear! By the way, the well known H4 Halogen head light is best used with its specific designed for reflector unit, this gets the filament in the correct place. Prefocus halogens fitted to the old reflectors is always a compromise.

Submitted by robert_tuck on Thu, 03/08/2023

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Hi Alan,  I am aware about the limitations of the  zener so always run with lights on and I have  EI etc , I have several regulators but am likely to fit a more modern device as I think the later stators are vulnerable to overheating . certainly l hear of failures and short life . The halogen bulb I use has been specifically designed for the BPF reflector and has a pretty good beam , I will switch to a H4 if it will fit inside my crowded bucket . 

Submitted by barry_carson1 on Thu, 03/08/2023

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hello

how do the LED bulbs ect act on old switch gear. just thinking of every LED tourch i have had i have to keep tapping and knocking it to get it to function correctly, switch wise,

 

barry

Submitted by dan_field on Wed, 09/08/2023

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I have one of Paul Goffs LED headlight, In my headlight the beam is very bright but not very focussed, and main beam just seems to be brighter than dip, its great to be seen and for trips around at town speeds but I wouldn’t want to be going too fast with it, I have mag dynamo at 12v with led indicators so dont have too many spare watts! (Pre featherbed ES2)

 



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