Head light bulbs for my ES250

[stogadog]

After breifly talkning about my lights being crap on another thread Ive done some investigating today. Voltage wise - I'm not losing much to the lights - just 0.2 volts from the battery to the lights. Ive cleaned the connections up anyway. Then bulb itself doesn't look the best though. It's all cloudy and horrible looking so I'm going to replace it. Radiograf suggested using a halogen one but I don't know which one to go for. The original bulb is 45w 40w and the Halogens I can find are 35w 35w p43t ,or 60w 55w p45t. I know that Halogens are generally brighter for the wattage but I'm not sure if a 35w will still leave me crap lights. Ialso don't know what differences are between p43t and p45t.
Cheers
Andy

[radiograf]

The p43t is also known as a H4, and the mounting plate has 3 lugs on it. The P45t has more of a disc apperance. Both use the same connector. Fitting a new standard bulb, the same as you have will be a big improvement, as it sounds like your bulb is about to blow anyway. Also can I recomend you clean the inside of the headlight as dirt builds up over time dimming the glass and reflector. The 55/65w bulb will certainly be brighter, however it will drain your battery quicker, if you want to fit a P43T 35/35 you'll have to change your reflector. On the plus side that would mean that its easier to find a replacement bulb if it blows.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

p45t was not a big seller and are hard to find and expensive

adapter sold here so p43t can be used but there rare and expensive also

Dave

http://www.volvosolutions.com/Misc_P45T.html

[stogadog]

Right then. been doing a bit of checking following some good advice and I can get an adaptor ring for £3.60 to allow me to put a p43 bulb in, which I'm going to try. I'm a bit uncomfortable trying the higher wattage p45 bulb as I use the bike a lot and I don't want to be stranded anywhere with a flat battery. If the 35 is no good then I can try a p45 maybe and see what happens. Thanks again. I'll let you know how I get on.

[radiograf]

Another option is to convert to 12v electrics.Powerdynamo in Germany produce a 12v conversion with electronic ignition.
Iv'e fitted one of these to a Jawa 350 in the past to great effect. Not the cheapest option, but if its in daily use well worth it. Check them out at: www.powerdynamo.biz

[stogadog]

Oddly I was looking at those yesterday. Does look like a good idea but finances say otherwise at the moment. I have got it on my next Winter refurb list though!

[stogadog]

Result!
I now have MUCH better lights than before. I got an adaptor ring from Paul Goff (link earlier in this thread) and a P43 fitment 6V 35/35w bulb and after a little modification to the adaptor ring everything fitted together nicely and I now have lights that are about 500% better than before. Main beam especially is a revelation after the vague yellow glow that it made before - almost as good as my BMW.
Checked my charging too and the halogen isn't doing anything terrible - at around one third throttle it's charging at a nice 7.25 V. Happy Stogadog can see in the dark again!

[DAVID THOMPSON]

may i recommend a double pole double throw relay to switch
the bulb from high to low beam
see wiring drawing for a 1974 or 1975 bmw 750
so you do not burn up the handlebar switch
on your bike as that new bulb draws a fair bit of current

handlebar switch works the relay

dave

[MichaelTorre]

I am confused.
If amps times volts equels watts.
Volts remains the same (6).
Then is he not drawing less current from his former 40/45 watt bit?
Regards
M

[DAVID THOMPSON]

he may draw less but the relay is to protect the handle bar switch
i get the relays cheap the handle bar switches are not cheap and hard to find some times
for a 53 and a 63 bmw
dave

[arry_b]

The new bulb is drawing less current that the old one, so the switches will be getting an easier time than before.

However, David's right that relays are cheap and could help with extending the life of the switches.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

i run a 6v 55/60 h4 in both the 53 and 63 and stock handle bar switches are hard to find and expensive..
and do not last to long in my application
i use both set of contacts in the relay and a reversing switch in the circuit so the relay is fixed so its at rest
for riding in town or flip it the other way for rides out on the interstate at night

if they have an estate sale when i am gone
i hope the guys that get my bikes get the correct note book on each one
or they will be up the creek with out there paddles

dave