Headlight Upgrade
 

Any idea on how to make the dommie lights better?I thought of putting in a relay and running juice to a 100/80w bulb to get a better spread of light any suggestions?

The 100/80 won't change the shape or spread of light, but it will make what you have much brighter.

Other than adding another light, that's about the best you can do. Very good idea to use a relay. Probably only necessary on high beam, but not a bad idea to add one for low as well.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 24 January 2002).]

Hi Huan:

I don't know what kind of bulb the headlight in your motorcycle uses.

In my Honda (a ST1100), the headlamp uses two H4 bulbs. I removed the OEM bulbs, which were 45/55 watts (less than normal), and replaced them with two Philips Vision Plus bulbs.

I was very impressed with the difference that this made - much more light. Because the Vision Plus bulbs are 'normal' wattage - 55/55 - no wiring changes were needed.

The Vision Plus bulbs are only available in Europe, although I think there are a number of companies who import and grey market them in North America. These are not the blue tinted 'fake xenon' lights such as companies like PIAA make, they are pure white bulbs that are considerably brighter than normal H4's. Cost is about € 20 for a pair.

If you choose to go with an overwatt bulb (for example, an 80/100), have a close look to see what your headlamp assembly is made out of. There are many sad tales of woe on the automobile BB's (VW, BMW, etc.) from owners who put overwatt H4's in their lamp housings, only to have either the reflector, the bulb holder, or the front lens melt, deform or discolour.

Before you go out and buy a relay, check the wiring diagram for your bike. You might be surprised to find that your bike has a headlight relay in it already. My ST1100 has two relays (installed at the factory) - one for high beam and one for low.

[This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 29 January 2002).]

Thanks for the info Pan-Euro I looked at fitting those vision plus bulbs but I would be happier with serious overwattage bulbs 120/90w or 100/80w with relays for both H/Low beams I have some info from an American company called Dennis-kirk they sell a H4 which is 100/55w unusual but probably very effective 0n an '88 Dominator.
What does the little "tin hat" in the headlight in front of the bulb do?
regards Huan
County Cork Ireland
1988 NX650

[This message has been edited by Huan (edited 29 January 2002).]

The 'tin hat' (small cap that is suspended over the front portion of the headlight bulb) has two purposes: First to attenuate stray light that would otherwise annoy oncoming motorists, and second to reflect more of the bulb's output back onto the principal reflector, from where it is then directed to the road surface.

On a related matter: Have a close look at your existing OEM Honda bulb and make sure that it is, in fact, a 55/55. Honda has installed 45/55 bulbs as OEM fitment in some of their bikes. The wattage will be engraved on the metal flange at the base of the bulb. If you find you have a 45/55, you might be pleasantly surprised by the improvement you get by just refitting a premium quality 55/55. Might save you a fair amount of money and other aggravation.

The bulb in my dommie is not the original i suspect that the original burned out before I got the bike however I put a 60/55 in as they are the most common type of bulb here in Europe but I STILL NEED MORE LIGHT for safety reasons (Bad back roads, Animals etc) so I will have to fit a couple of small relays probably 20A and a higher wattage bulb the only other concern I have is that The US spec dommies (mine) have a "Hardwired" headlight and I would like to run a cutout switch to stop too much current draw at startup.

Just another thought here - if you have already fitted a full power bulb (60/55) and you are not happy with the light, perhaps you might have better results if you added a supplementary light (e.g. a driving light, spotlight, or floodlight), rather than increasing the wattage of your headlamp bulb.

This is sort of along the line of what Grant was saying earlier - if the headlamp design (reflector design) on your bike is not the greatest, then increasing the wattage will increase the light output, but not necessarily give you better light coverage.

I'm not at all familiar with the dommie model, so maybe this suggestion is inappropriate for your bike. But, if a supplementary light could be mounted, you could then tie it in, by relay, to the high beam circuit, and you would probably have much more light from the two lamps than you would from one single high wattage bulb.

Good luck with your efforts!

I can't say I'm too familiar with the dommie electrical side but I wonder whether the generator puts out enough juice to power 100w bulbs. My XR600 ( different gennerator I know) will power one 55w bulb but two just gives me dim lights (more annoying when trying to run an electrically heated jacket - I can have the light or the heat)
I would suggest that you balance up main and dip output though. Some years ago I did a trip round Morrocco on a Gold Wing fitted with two auxillary rally lights on the crashbars and wired to come on with main beam. All three lights together were great but after a few minutes your eyes adjust and when a car comes the other way and you have to dip onto one light it seemed like you'd swithched the whole lot off.

Hai,

When a 60 (or 55) watt lamp does not give enaugh light on the road, fitting a 100 or a 500 watt lamp wil not help much.
60 watt is more then enaugh to make a nice "flow of light" on the road.

I think you should change the head-light all together (is the reflector in good condition?), maybe put in a difered type or, like PanEuropean sugests, add one or two extra light's. (there are amazingly small projector-lights these day's)

Increasing the wattage will only make driving in winter more comfortable becouse of the produced heat.

Good luck
Maarten

Thanks for all the advice.
regarding the Dominator(NX650) the rated output of the generator is 180w which should run the headlight no worries,
after extensive testing with the car and relays 100w bulbs make a very big difference both to the intensity and "projection" of the light so i will proceed with the mod on the bike.
BTW the headlight on the bike is in good nick etc but the light output is pathetic stock i checked on newer models.

thanks huan

[This message has been edited by Huan (edited 07 February 2002).]

Are you sure the alternator output is only 180W?? that's truly pathetic if so. The BMW R80G/S - R100GS series are often castigated for their pathetic alternators - and they are rated 280W!

If it really is only 180W you won't be able to run anything else except a taillight and ignition, so don't even think electric vests etc.

At a rough guess on consumption, 100w headlight + 5w instrument lights + 20w taillight + 40w ignition = 165w. And don't forget the battery needs a charge too. In other words don't run on high beam all the time.

NOT impressive!


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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Yep Unfortunately the handbook says:AC generator output 0.18kW @5000rpm
I guess that back in 1988 HMC didn't feel that anyone would fit big lights,Handwarmers electric vests,etc etc.Back to the drawing board......

Maybe now people will stop abusing BMW for not forseeing same in 1972, when the airhead alternator was designed...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Anyone know anything about boosting output of Alternators on NX650's?

If anybody knows it'll be Baja Designs at www.bajadesigns.com.

Good luck, let us know what you find!

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com