LED bulbs retrofit

Tanabuso Posts : 69 Join date : 2015-06-16

So after having had success with a retrofit along the lines of this [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] on other bikes, I decided it was time to increase light output on the GRiSO. The only thing holding me back is the worry that extra heat off the back of the LED is going to melt my headlight shell due to lack of airflow in the mostly sealed shell, which i'm lead to believe costs a shocking amount for a half-sphere piece of plastic.

So my question is, has anyone had luck with LED bulb retrofits? Any heat issues to watch out for if so?

Carlotto Posts : 46 Join date : 2017-06-25

In general, putting LED retrofit emitters into a reflector assembly designed for a traditional bulb is going to be a mixed blessing. The stock parabolic reflector is designed to handle light coming from a uniform pinpoint source (or nearly so), the filament of a standard or halogen bulb. The multiple diodes of an LED replacement source are all in different locations from that design point, so they won't result in the same cleanly focused output. Their increased brightness (lumens) may make up for this, but the output will still be more diffused. Some LED replacement bulbs make this a bit worse by putting two diodes on one side of their central post for low beam (neither at the focus point) and an additional diode closer to the focus point on the other side of the central post for the high beam.

Since LEDs are more efficient in terms of light output for power input, you'd think they should produce less heat, too - you'd be wrong. Commercial LED products, especially in the automotive world, produce a good deal of heat. There are a couple of brands that use lower than usual profile cooling assemblies, and if you go this route those are the ones to choose. Don't cheap out if it costs a bit more to get what does the best job.

I opted to simply replace the whole assembly with an LED based unit (replaces headlight shell, reflector and bulb). The power draw is lower, the heat issue is avoided, and focus is simply not a problem since each LED is behind its own focused lens.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 329 Join date : 2016-09-09 Age : 75

I tried putting in an LED bulb and there isn't enough depth in the bucket to do so. YOu could cut the back of the bucket so the heat sink could stick out.

Tanabuso Posts : 69 Join date : 2015-06-16

Thanks for the heads up fellas. I agree with the different of light argument, I have a fair number of decent LED bulbs that work well in round housings, but the main goal has been to reduce generator load on older bikes. I've been happy with the results in terms of brightness but it's quite difficult to properly measure if I'm truly getting more light output.

But she don't fit. So that puts that to bed

Carlotto Posts : 48 Join date : 2015-12-29

LED's consume significantly less current than an incandescent bulb, so I think it would actually run cooler in the headlight shell if you got it to fit.

Grignapoco Posts : 135 Join date : 2016-11-26 Age : 56

Regarding heat, the halogen lamp is cooled through the glass, as the heat is "created" at the fillament.
At the LED lamps, the heat is "created" at the LED controller, witch is at the back of the lamp, so, even if a LED lamp with less wattage than the halogen is installed, its heat would be "trapped" inside the plastick headlight bucket. No radiation at all, contuctivity of plastic about 10 times less than glass.

Tiradritto Posts : 377 Join date : 2021-08-19

Hi everyone,
I came to this old thread to get some information, and I did find some answers...
It seems installing LED bulbs in the stock lamp is a NoGo (heat dissipation, reflector design, etc.)
Are there any alteratives? Are the stock bulbs standard or halogen?
My bike has a yellow weak light and I was looking for something more powerfull and bright...without removing the stock lamp...

Thanks.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1496 Join date : 2015-01-04 Age : 63

Maybe you could run one of these bulbs (& could change the daylight to an LED too)...I don't have one in the GRiSO shell but have it in V50 & V65 and it's not hot

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Tiradritto Posts : 377 Join date : 2021-08-19

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the feedback
Is this the one ?https://www.ebay.com/itm/333670147775?_ul=PT

How longe do you have them on your bikes?

Biondino Posts : 205 Join date : 2021-11-17

paulbrice wrote:: Maybe you could run one of these bulbs (& could change the daylight to an LED too)...I don't have one in the GRiSO shell but have it in V50 & V65 and it's not hot.

I guess you have the stock head light on these bikes, how is the light pattern on low beam?

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1496 Join date : 2015-01-04 Age : 63

1 year on V50 and 3 months on V65; dayriding both 1 year.....same lens as normal bulb and light pattern is no worse than original one

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1496 Join date : 2015-01-04 Age : 63

& yes that's the one on that link ebay

Biondino Posts : 228 Join date : 2020-10-17

I would like to chime in on this subject. I am 100% happy with the Cyclops Led conversion bulb. I rarely get flashed on low beam setting. Comparison, for myself, is greatly improved over stock halogen and even the blue halogen bulb from AF1. My first Cyclops unit lasted me 40,000 miles. In and of itself is maybe not so impressive for cost. However, I do a quick flash to high beam whenever I have a vehicle in my path of travel in wait to pull out into traffic ect. Day or night.... That factor sets for the absolute durability of the LED kit. One of the four emitters stopped working therefore I wasn't stranded either. I am now a proud owner of another of the same offering. I will state that it is important to aim the light perfectly not to blind others in traffic. Once done ride, see, and live the dream.....

Tiradritto Posts : 377 Join date : 2021-08-19

Has any of you ever tried the Osram Cool Blue Intense bulbs? I just installed one and they do produce a much brighter light than the stock ones....However I saw some reviews where people complain about the bulb life and the heat produced....I just turned it on for some esconde, but just by placing the hand on the light beam you feel the heat...I'm affraid to cause damage to the plastic reflector ir bulb holder...

Tiradritto Posts : 377 Join date : 2021-08-19

Matias wrote:: Has any of you ever tried the Osram Cool Blue Intense bulbs? I just installed one and they do produce a much brighter light than the stock ones....However I saw some reviews where people complain about the bulb life and the heat produced....I just turned it on for some esconde, but just by placing the hand on the light beam you feel the heat...I'm affraid to cause damage to the plastic reflector ir bulb holder...

Hi guys,
Excuse me for insisting on this...
No one has ever tried this Cool Blue Intense bulbs on? Any feedback?

Many thanks,
Matias

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1496 Join date : 2015-01-04 Age : 63

I haven't tried the osram ones, but have bought Halfords (UK brand) extra 50% & extra 100% brightness bulbs before....didn't really see massive improvement beyond slightly brighter in same areas as before.

Tiradritto Posts : 377 Join date : 2021-08-19

Thanks Paul.
But besides that no overheating of the socket or reflector, right?

GRiSO Capo Posts : 628 Join date : 2018-10-04 Age : 60

I use that one —> X-tremeVision Moto

It works fine for my usage.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Tiradritto Posts : 377 Join date : 2021-08-19

Hi Richard,
Thanks. I believe it is a similar product.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 628 Join date : 2018-10-04 Age : 60

Yes this is similar product.

It is bright enough to be seen during the day but at night it is not sufficient when really dark.

I heard from others that the lifetime of this bulb was not so long (i.e. 10 000 km or so) but I can’t confirm by myself.

Biondino Posts : 205 Join date : 2021-11-17

I've tried some of the bluish bulbs on some of my Guzzis and think that they are an improvement to the ordinairy ones. The best improvement of the non-led bulbs i've found is however, to give the bulb more punch through a thicker cable directly (via relay and fuse) from the battery. Combined with a good blue-bulb (this f.ex.: Osram H4 Night Breaker Laser 200) it's not at all bad.

On my GRiSO I still wanted to go for a LED-conversion, and ended up with buying a JW Speaker 8700 head lamp, which I'm very pleased with. Sharper and more light, especially to the sides of the road. Costly but worth it.

Tiradritto Posts : 377 Join date : 2021-08-19

I installed the Osram Cool Blue Instense and it seems a bit brighter than the stock ones. This small improvement is enough for me, for now...
I was just a little worried because I thought these bulbs could develop more heat than the stock ones and damage something...like it can happen when you install bulbs with more Watts, i.e....But from the feedback until know it seems not to be the case.

Thanks guys.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1462 Join date : 2016-01-25 Age : 69

The problem with LED bulbs in a GRiSO is space - the headlight shell looks too shallow for "H4 9003 F2 LED Headlight 72W 12000LM Cree Chips White 6000K"

It was definilety too shallow for the Auxito bulb i bought.

I just want to know if there is a well proportioned LED bulb that is not deeper than an incandescent halogen

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10556 Join date : 2013-05-29 Age : 67

I think the JW Speaker ones are similarly dimensioned at the rear to a Halogen globe but I'm not sure.

Biondino Posts : 205 Join date : 2021-11-17

lcjohnny wrote:: The problem with LED bulbs in a GRiSO is space - the headlight shell looks too shallow for "H4 9003 F2 LED Headlight 72W 12000LM Cree Chips White 6000K"

There seem to be some out there that should fit right in, like this one: LUXTAR

Q1 LED H4.
Have no idea of the quality or how it performs, but it's widely sold in Sweden, as far as I understand. Could be others...

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