genr'l question what light bulbs?
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:41 am
You are definitely right there.
Lower quality bulbs will degrade the light pattern a far bit more due to
incorrect placement in the reflector. Like you mentioned, the retrofit HID
kits are famous for this, and yes, the "HID" bulbs (the tinted crap).
Quality does matter - the biggest improvement I've ever had in light output
was in a late 60's car I owned. I put in high quality wiring to relays that
powered E-code lights.
400 watts on the high beams, pulled 32 amps via relays straight from the
alternator. The car had the appearance of a landing UFO.
Incidentally, I got the relays, fuses and lights from Daniel Stern after
harassing him for weeks on the right setup and with a thousand questions. 
For me there are a few guide-lines for lighting;
1, Is the alternator up for the output?
2, Quality relays (handle current draw of lights?)
3, Quality bulbs (often european, oddly enough)
4, Quality housings (European, not the hybrid ECE/DOT approved ones)
5, Quality wiring and fuses, solder and heatshrink etc
Never gone wrong with that setup before.
-----Original Message-----
From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Lee Dodge
The Rev is basically right with respect to the change from 1 brand of
filament bulb to another however might I suggest that the bulb DOES have an
effect on Beam Pattern. The reflector and the lense change the relatively
If my memory is correct that is
why we weren't able to exchange our conventional headlight bulbs for the
HID 'bulbs' and get anything better than more light - but lousy beam
control. The reflectors were different as was the placement of the HID arc
Vs our conventional bulb filaments.
For me there are a few guide-lines for lighting;
1, Is the alternator up for the output?
2, Quality relays (handle current draw of lights?)
3, Quality bulbs (often european, oddly enough)
4, Quality housings (European, not the hybrid ECE/DOT approved ones)
5, Quality wiring and fuses, solder and heatshrink etc
Never gone wrong with that setup before.
-----Original Message-----
From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Lee Dodge
The Rev is basically right with respect to the change from 1 brand of
filament bulb to another however might I suggest that the bulb DOES have an
effect on Beam Pattern. The reflector and the lense change the relatively
If my memory is correct that is
why we weren't able to exchange our conventional headlight bulbs for the
HID 'bulbs' and get anything better than more light - but lousy beam
control. The reflectors were different as was the placement of the HID arc
Vs our conventional bulb filaments.