ADVMonster H4 LED upgrade, before and after

[DavidATL]

Swapped out the stock OEM H4 for ADVMonster H4 Rev3:

http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-r3-led-headlight/

before and after (adjusted):
notes: bike on center stand. All shots at same shutter, f-stop, and ISO rating so that they are comparable. Used blue tape to mark key points on the beam pattern then adjusted low to match. ADVMonster high beam is much higher.

Stock low beam
DSC_9079-1.jpg (25.62 kB . 768x512 - viewed 856 times)
Stock high beam
DSC_9080-2.jpg (27.94 kB . 768x512 - viewed 819 times)

ADVMonster low beam (after slight adjustment)
DSC_9085-1.jpg (30.6 kB . 768x512 - viewed 805 times)
ADVMonster high beam (after slight adjustment)

I only ride during the day so I can't speak to the rider perspective. This upgrade was to help others see *me*.

[natalena]

The low beam LED throws a great pattern, and I like the 5500K white color. Any issues with installation or power draw adjustments? Thanks for sharing.

[DavidATL]

From the net:
The stock H4 headlight bulb has only 60 watts on HIGH beam and 55 watts on LOW beam. The H4 HALOGEN bulb has 100 watts HIGH and 90 watts LOW beam.
and
International regulation ECE R37 specifies the luminous flux of the H4 bulb: 1650/1000 lumens ±15% and max allowable wattage 75/68w @ 13.2v.

From ADVMonster spec's:
Low Beam - 3500 lumens @ 1.5 amps / 20 watts
High Beam - 4800 lumens @ 2.2 amps / 30 watts
Both LEDs are on with high beam   (and let me tell you, that's a LOT of light)



I didn't confirm any of this. Regardless, the max consumption for the H4 ADMonster was less than the lowest consumption listed for an H4. I assume the inrush current of the LED system was less vs incandescent but didn't try to confirm. Hopefully, this means less stress on the electrical switch contacts.

Some data I forgot to include in the OP above: the lamp base stabilized at about 140F on high at 10 minutes in 60F ambient, no air flow (sitting still in the garage). The heatsink braids were a bit less at the base and decreased with distance.

[Laitch]

I enjoy riding at night. I would want more light upward and outward to the right, like in the image made by the incandescent H4. That pattern aids in seeing signs, pedestrians and critters. It's a function of a good lens, which is stock on a K75. The LED and stock lens—if that is the lens being used in the test—don't seem to interact optimally. The LED is strong on output though.

Thanks for the demonstration, DAVID. Open the garage door and let's find out which light illuminates the neighbor's bedroom the best.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

I'm with Laitch on riding at night.  I see deer damn near every night when I ride.  My headlight barely throws enough on the right side to keep me happy.  The LED headlight falls pretty short in side illumination.

If you want to be seen, I would seriously consider a pair of these LED spotlights.  They're small and  mount nicely under the headlight on the chin of the fairing and look like a pair of arc welders coming at you.  They can be seen clearly for well over a mile in broad daylight.  At night, almost no oncoming drivers flash me.  I have them on all my bikes.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-2inch-10W-Spot-LED-Work-Lights-Bike-Motorcycle-ATV-Boat-Backup-Driving-Round/192190356797?epid=843508735&hash=item2cbf701d3d:g:GIYAAOSwgslbK0O0:sc:USPSPriorityFlatRateEnvelope!14052!US!-1

[Laitch]

I would want more light upward and outward to the right, like in the image made by the incandescent H4. That pattern aids in seeing signs, pedestrians and critters. It's a function of a good lens, which is stock on a K75.

To clarify, I'm referring to the stock round lens on a standard K75. I've no experience riding at night on RT or S models that have rectagular lenses.

[DavidATL]

...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-2inch-10W-Spot-LED-Work-Lights-Bike-Motorcycle-ATV-Boat-Backup-Driving-Round/192190356797?epid=843508735&hash=item2cbf701d3d:g:GIYAAOSwgslbK0O0:sc:USPSPriorityFlatRateEnvelope!14052!US!-1

Those look GREAT. Strong lumens. You like the light pattern/ spread?

A set of Motolights came on the bike ( https://motolight.com/product/light-sets-radial-mount/ ). They have incandescent MR16 lamps. I'll occasionally search for LED to replace them with. Those eBay fixtures you use are not much more the just the new LED lamps I've looked at and are rated at much higher lumens output.

[alexg]

Thanks for the post.

I might go for the standard H4 replacement on my RZ, for which draw/consumption and heat inside the can are bigger problems than light output.  Do not have space for the  added electrical box of the super monster.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

They are pretty good considering the price.  The beam could be a little bit tighter with a few more lumens down range, but the extra illumination is noticeable.  Careful aiming keeps the hot part of the pattern out of the eyes of oncoming drivers.  I like that they only draw 1.8 amps for the pair. 

The beautiful part is how bright they are.  No one can say they can't see me coming.

[alabrew]

DavidATL,

I found a pair of LED bulbs that fit the motolights at Home Depot. Not as bright as these LEDS but there is the triangle. That bike has a HID installed and during daylight doesn't look as if it is really on.

BTW, I think I forgot to send you  a note that that gas tank gasket made it ok, thanks again.

[riots100]

They are pretty good considering the price.  The beam could be a little bit tighter with a few more lumens down range, but the extra illumination is noticeable.  Careful aiming keeps the hot part of the pattern out of the eyes of oncoming drivers.  I like that they only draw 1.8 amps for the pair. 

The beautiful part is how bright they are.  No one can say they can't see me coming.

It would be cool to see some photographic detail on how you mounted those LEDs on the bike.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

It would be cool to see some photographic detail on how you mounted those LEDs on the bike.

Mounting the lights isn't very hard if you have a fairing.  I have put on a K75S, K75RT, and 2 K100RS.

Below the headlight in the "chin" of the fairing are a couple flat spots.  I drill a 1/4" hole and use the screw that comes with the light along with a pair of fender washers to spread the load on the plastic of the fairing.  I protect the fairing paint with a rubber washer under the fender washer. 

The lights are wired to a switch that goes to switched 12v.  On the RT and RS I put the switch on the handlebar pad, on the K75S, I put a toggle switch on a piece of aluminum that is held by the top fork tube pinch bolt on the left side.