LED headlight conversion

[kdxdazz]

Simple led bulb conversion

[billie_morini]

Darryl, Who knew?! Many thanks!! billie

[Nighthawk016]

These are pretty expensive in the US, I will have to keep my eyes out

[billie_morini]

These are pretty expensive in the US, I will have to keep my eyes out

I saw some ads priced between $14 & $20, Ebay & others. This is on par with the H7 bulb just purchased at retail car parts store for friend's Suburu SUV. So, not truly so much $$.

[GOT WOODS?]

Thanks for this Daryl!

A couple of questions:

This is on an SR KDX, right, which comes set up for the road as far as lighting, correct? How different is that lighting/charging system from the plain KDX that we get in the states? Do you have a condenser in-line somewhere on the lighting system that we don't have in the states? Mine flickers at idle but just barely and I've never felt that it was even remotely worth trying to install a condenser to prevent it. I wonder if this bulb has some type of internal condenser.

I love the fact that this is AC/DC compatible. When I did my LED conversion a few years back I had to buy a rectifier to replace my stock one to convert to DC (or vice versa... I'm old and forget things...). I got a cheap Chinese one and I always kept my original rectifier in my toolbox for when the replacement one would inevitably fail, which so far it hasn't... thankfully... While the LED bulb is still working, pieces of it have broken off over time so using this means that I can put my original rectifier back in and I can get rid of the duct tape and zip ties holding my old LED in. Extra bonus!

I tried zooming in on the video to try to see the product numbers so I could get/order one but it isn't exactly clear. Could you post the item number?

While researching this LED I went to the Osram site and found what I thought was the bulb and read this scary info:

"These products do not have ECE approval and must not be used on public roads in any exterior application. Public roads use leads to cancellation of operating license and loss of insurance coverage. Several countries forbid sale and use of these products."

I don't know if this is an EU thing or whether this applies to the US too... How anyone would know that you are using it without tearing into your headlight assembly is beyond me but maybe in the event of an on-road accident where liability is being assessed, maybe then it would matter....

Thanks again for posting this! Why anyone still has a regular bulb in their headlight or sends their stator out to be rewound is beyond me when just converting to an LED is so cheap and easy....

[Molly's 70]

Will this bulb work? It ships from Thailand.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335189466368?c ... A2QYAh8-yI

[pumpguy]

Can you tell us about the output wattage of the lighting coil on your bike?

Standard output for USA market H series KDX is only 40 watts. Aftermarket high output coils are offered here which have larger laminated cores, and some have re-wound their stock coils for more output.

[kdxdazz]

Thanks for this Daryl!

A couple of questions:

This is on an SR KDX, right, which comes set up for the road as far as lighting, correct? How different is that lighting/charging system from the plain KDX that we get in the states? Do you have a condenser in-line somewhere on the lighting system that we don't have in the states? Mine flickers at idle but just barely and I've never felt that it was even remotely worth trying to install a condenser to prevent it. I wonder if this bulb has some type of internal condenser.

I love the fact that this is AC/DC compatible. When I did my LED conversion a few years back I had to buy a rectifier to replace my stock one to convert to DC (or vice versa... I'm old and forget things...). I got a cheap Chinese one and I always kept my original rectifier in my toolbox for when the replacement one would inevitably fail, which so far it hasn't... thankfully... While the LED bulb is still working, pieces of it have broken off over time so using this means that I can put my original rectifier back in and I can get rid of the duct tape and zip ties holding my old LED in. Extra bonus!

I tried zooming in on the video to try to see the product numbers so I could get/order one but it isn't exactly clear. Could you post the item number?

While researching this LED I went to the Osram site and found what I thought was the bulb and read this scary info:

"These products do not have ECE approval and must not be used on public roads in any exterior application. Public roads use leads to cancellation of operating license and loss of insurance coverage. Several countries forbid sale and use of these products."

I don't know if this is an EU thing or whether this applies to the US too... How anyone would know that you are using it without tearing into your headlight assembly is beyond me but maybe in the event of an on-road accident where liability is being assessed, maybe then it would matter....

Thanks again for posting this! Why anyone still has a regular bulb in their headlight or sends their stator out to be rewound is beyond me when just converting to an LED is so cheap and easy....

I'm not that knowledgeable when it comes to electrics, I tried installing bridge rectifiers and diodes on my old wr450 just so I could run led indicators and swore I would never do it again, yes this is the SR model which is also identical to the Australian model in terms of electrics, as far as I know it's just AC to all the lights, the higher output would be because there is the constant tail light, then the brake light, then indicators, then individual dash bulbs of which there are many
In regards to flickering I did leave out an important point, most kdx's have a very poor and inconsistent idle due to running too rich,or the airbox lid removed and other factors, it also increases the clutch rattle, my kdx SR is dialed in fantastic with its little Keithen pe28
I threw the packet in the public bin in my condo building, if the cleaning lady hasn't already emptied it I will dig it out and take a photo
I have no idea about ECE regulations, everything in Thailand is it bit more relaxed and my bike has no registration,no insurance and most of the time I don't even wear a helmet lol. So I'm the wrong guy to know about rules

[kdxdazz]

Here is the led bulb

[Chuck78]

7 watts at 13v is not a whole lot of lumens output, but drastically better than stock with an incandescent lamp at 25W

[billie_morini]

The "magic" with this LED bulb is the operational current can be alternating or direct.

[SpruceItUp]

I was just talking about this the other day with my father, with how it's common to find 120v LED bulbs that convert to DC internally, talking about house lights, which is obviously necessary in said situation. I was originally discussing the lighting system with him and he was surprised it was an AC system, which got us talking about LED bulbs in the headlight.
This confirms that 12v LED bulbs that convert AC to DC internally exist. I wasn't sure so this was perfect timing.
Thank you for sharing. I might pick one of these up for myself if I can. I'd like to eventually float the ground on my KDX and convert the system to DC, and I definitely will once I get my E start for it, but I am unsure when that is coming. It's almost been 2 months since the original order, so likely a couple more months 'till it is here at least.

[kdxdazz]

7 watts at 13v is not a whole lot of lumens output, but drastically better than stock with an incandescent lamp at 25W

This is a high/low beam driving light, I'm sure they can easily make more powerful versions but then that becomes a risk to other vehicles when driving on the road at night, also with increased watts will be increased heat and that runs the risk of melting the headlight plastic

[GOT WOODS?]

I tried looking for the bulb online but couldn't find it for sale outside of Malaysia. Kind of odd. For reference, from what I could make out from Darryl's picture of the packaging, it is an Osram 7955CW. If anyone finds a source available to the US please post it up!

[Chuck78]

I tried looking for the bulb online but couldn't find it for sale outside of Malaysia. Kind of odd. For reference, from what I could make out from Darryl's picture of the packaging, it is an Osram 7955CW. If anyone finds a source available to the US please post it up!

I tried searching as well for that Osram brand version T19, or similar from the same company, but no luck at all (in the USA).

I did see this, Partzilla sells this same Rivco LED pictured under the same name brand, this perhaps is the manufacturer's website. This is an H6M socket style, which is what the KDX OEM lights from 1990 on newer take, that T19 does appear to be the same or compatible base/socket.




This is 2000 lumens / 11 Watts, not a lesser 7 Watts like the Osram, & I don't know if this is advertised as AC/DC. Also, it's $55. The Osram I did find on eBay from Thailand or somewhere else would end up being more than this after tariffs into the USA currently.

https://rivcoproducts.com/shop/atv-utv/ ... lbs-white/


Here's a $15 generic that claims that it's backed with a one-year warranty and from a company that claims to be based out of the USA and stands behind their products. It also states that it works on AC or DC. I bet a lot of these would because there are probably a lot of copy cats of that Osram design.

https://ebay.us/m/mN2G4o
(Edit - this is the same one Bullie has linked below )




You should be able to find similar LED lamps labeled as H6M, but I was having some trouble finding any of it quality known name brands.



If you want something about 4 times as bright, look up the Cyclops Adventure Sports LED kit for the Honda XR, it is the H6M bulb they offer, with an optional inline rectifier, as well as an optional on off or high low off switch with kill switch integrated into it. Their version is SIGNIFICANTLY brighter and will be putting the stock KDX stator close to it's maximum output capacity.

https://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/ ... b-kit.html

It costs drastically more though, but it is well capable of doing night rides with no moonlight deep in the forest.... Very bright headlight. They will draw so much power that you may not want to run a tail light, and if you do, it needs to be an LED of low output. For tail light and brake light and any other usage, you would need to run the aftermarket stator on the KDX with this Cyclops LED headlight. Minimal rewiring is required, but it's very simple. This option just costs significantly more like $144 versus I'm guessing about $20 if that bulb in the video here was available in the USA at least.

[billie_morini]

USA Ebay. Vendor in Thailand;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/335189466368?c ... -HEALw_wcB

ALIEXPRESS USA
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568096 ... pt=glo2usa

USA EBAY. Vendor in Oklahoma.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/126144345254?c ... XwEALw_wcB

[billie_morini]

Also, can find very similar, if not truly same by searching for "AC/DC 12 volt LED 6500 Kelvin"

[Molly's 70]

Will this work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335189466368?c ... A2QYAh8-yI

[GOT WOODS?]

I'm not at my shop right now so I'm going by one of the other comments here that our bulb type is an H6M. I googled to see what that number is compatible with as other countries/manufacturers use different numbering systems. This is what Google came back with:

"Yes, H6M and T19 are compatible names for the same type of motorcycle headlight bulb socket/base, which is formally known as P15D-25-1.
These terms are used interchangeably by manufacturers and retailers for headlight bulbs designed for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and scooters. The base type is consistent, so you can use an H6M bulb in a T19 socket and vice-versa, provided the voltage (e.g., 6V or 12V) and wattage are appropriate for your specific vehicle's electrical system."

Looking at lots of bulbs I noticed that some have 2 diodes and some multiple. I am thinking that probably the more diodes the better as if one goes out and you only have 2 to begin with, then half of your lighting goes away. Whereas if you have a few more then if one goes out then the loss isn't as noticeable. I haven't found one yet from a Phillips or other well known manufacturer yet that is easily available to get in the states (quick shipping, no tariffs, etc.). I'm still looking though and will report back if I find something....

[GOT WOODS?]

Will this work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335189466368?c ... A2QYAh8-yI

Not sure... This ad represents the issues I keep having come up during my searches:

-No indication of how many lumens it puts out, although maybe the wattage now converts directly to the amount of lumens it puts out and lumens is a passe way of measuring output???

-Ad has a vague import tariff notification without stating what you will be actually hit with when the package arrives in the states.

-A lot of these ads have misleading delivery times. I recently ordered a set of rear struts for my GF's Subaru's hatchback and it said it came from the states and I'd get it in 3 days. 3 WEEKS LATER it arrived FROM CHINA....

My search continues.... Thanks Molly's!