OT: HID H4 high/low conversion kit

[pwillikers]

Has anyone tried one of the H4 HID single bulb high/low conversion kits? I found this one on the web: http://www.v-leds.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/4961321/vpcsid/0/SFV/32481 which looks interesting. I'm very interested whether it works well. Does it produce a well formed, bright beam pattern in both high and low? "This kit uses electromagnetic controllers to move the bulb back in to the high beam location. You will not loose your high beams! "

[pwillikers]

Since there's such an overwhelming interest from the board, I'll update youz wit da latest. I ordered one.

[jduke]

Let us know how it works. I have a friend with an RS and it has the H4 bulb too. He's concerned about the mechanical part of the way it works.

[Rapid Dog]

...that's nice, it's got the small ballast...IMO get the the white light (4000-5000K)...purple is for weenies...
not sure it' what you're gonna want. That 's a HI/Low lamp, the R11S has two lamps, usually you use 2 lamps/2 ballasts. You either buy the H7 or H5 or both,
as seen here: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=427560
Low beam is plenty BTW...

That said, I have one of these Hi/low kits on my airhead GS. Since it's a one lamp set-up, the kit was ideal. lumens is pretty good.

But for my $$$ I'd go for the low beam solo dealie. Split a kit with a fiend...

[bikerfish1100]

no direct experience, so pwillikers analysis will be interesting. however, all i've ever heard about the H4 conversion is that it's the equvalent of electrical snake-oil.
HIDs have a very specific focus of light. the only way to achieve real gain from an HID installation is to have a lens and reflcetor that are specifically designed for HID bulbs. Curiously, our R11Ss have a perfect setup. however, headlights designed to run H4 bulbs have very different lens/reflector characteristics, and those are not compatable with HID bulbs.
additionally, an H4 bulb has both hi and lo in one unit. NO HID system operates that way- they all have seperate hi & lo bulbs.

let us know what your experiment produces.

[EZ-RIDER]

Been running HID's now for about five or six years now, we had a group buy best thing since sliced bread! hit the High beam and people will get out of your way
Hi and Lo beam are separate two blasts etc.

[Doogie Howser]

It's easy to have a distorted perception of what is required of an HID system when you have an R1100S.

#1 The projector in the R1100S is a bosche projector sourced out of the 5-series E-39. It was designed for the best performance with xenon, not halogen.

#2 We ride motorcycles. When I light someone up with the GLARE from the high-beam on my R1100S it's because I want them to see me. The reflector isn't designed for an HID, but on a motorcycle, obnoxious glare can be a benifit. As long as it's on a switch.

There is nothing more annoying than some kid in a civic with an HID kit. Glare and blindness. Those reflectors were never designed to distribute the light from a xenon bulb properly (just like our R1100S reflectors weren't). But unlike them, we have the ability to decide when we want to be obnoxious.

Now my wife is a different story. She has a BMW F650GS with an H4 bulb. Even with a a high/low conversion kit (movable shield on the bulb), the glare is still terrible. It's either obnoxious, or STUPID obnoxious.

I've never been flashed with HID low beam projector on my R1100S. I EXPECT to be flashed when I'm on my wife's F650GS though.

[RBMann]

Doogie-

Which kit for the 650?

RB

[Jeff Williams]

pwillikers,
i'm confused,
I looked that the system and it said:
This kit uses electromagnetic controllers to move the bulb back in to the high beam location. You will not loose your high beams!
Now does that mean that it moves the bulb so that the light reflexs where the high beam would be or does it mean that it will reflex an extra beam that increases the light footpring of the beam.
thanks
jeff

[Highlander179]

HID is designed for projectors, not reflectors. I wouldn't do it.

[pwillikers]

The shortest youtube video ever recorded shows the high/low h4 in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djk49jXsges

[wswartzwel]

Quit screwing around with these lights and get us a ride report of your trip to Indy!!!

[Jeff Williams]

check this out, i don't see any difference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQNzE2OFs0Q&NR=1
jeff

[Rapid Dog]

Originally Posted by Jeff Williams

pwillikers,
i'm confused,
I looked that the system and it said:
This kit uses electromagnetic controllers to move the bulb back in to the high beam location. You will not loose your high beams!
Now does that mean that it moves the bulb so that the light reflexs where the high beam would be or does it mean that it will reflex an extra beam that increases the light footpring of the beam.
thanks
jeff

Basically it just means that it moves the lamp back and forth to create a different light pattern, not necessarily more lumens. Like I said, I have on on my airhead (single headlight/reflectoe). When I hit the high beam switch the bulb moves and the light pattern expands, it doesn't become brighter.
It has a little motor dealie at the back of the lamp.
I opted for this just because it was a HID over the stock lamp.

HID is designed for projectors, not reflectors. I wouldn't do it.

This may be good advice, there may be some interference (clearance clarence) with the reflector, maybe melt the thing.

[Bigred455]

I'd be curious to see how long the bulb lasts and how hard it is to get a replacement in a pinch.

[Jeff Williams]

R-dog,
I'm thinking about putting one on my R100RT. What do you think, will it be better than stock.
jeff

[OwenM]

Why not use one of the high output halogen lamps from Philips, also sold under other band names. They use the same power but are quite a lot brighter then the standard lamp, no problems with fitment, replacement or beam patterns either. On top of all that they are relatively cheap.

[pwillikers]

Jeff, according to the UPS tracking site, my h4 HID should be here on Thursday. I'll most likely install it this weekend and document the installation with before and after pics of the beam pattern, fitment etc.

[Rapid Dog]

Dr.J, Definitely brighter than stock, it is an actual HID with a ballast.
Use one like pwillikers posted here with the small ballast..cleaner to install.

[Jeff Williams]

Thank paul,
R-dog, still in the dog pound near hell???