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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 23, 2010 13:35:54 GMT -5
Well, Rebs and Rebettes...
One of my factory 25 watt headlight bulbs went south last week, so in the interest of simplicity, and being cheap... I got a pair of direct replacement 35 watt bulbs off one of the many eBay vendors. I figured the lighting system could stand another 20 watts of lighting (I'll know pretty soon, if the battery stays charged in normal riding...) but many scoots come with the bug-eye 35 watt bulbs from the factory, so I don't anticipate trouble.
So many riders have gone to more exotic bulbs in an attempt to improve the headlights, and that's fine, but I wanted to see just what (if any) improvement would be obtained by only "upgrading" to the cheap, factory-style 35 watt bulbs.
The results are fine. They DO provide NOTICEABLE improvement. The brights are useless, shining into the tree-tops... Oh yeah, even worse than the originals... But the dims now reach out plenty far for safety at any speed these little guys attain. And, these now throw a nice, wide, side illumination that is appreciated when negotiating unlit, pitch-black back alleys, wooded areas, parking lots and such. No more surprises dodging skunks, coons and broken bottles... LOL!
While I was OK with the original lights, these are a distinct improvement, and really eliminate the need to ever switch to "brights" even on totally dark streets.
I would not bother to change over from stock 25 watt lights if they are working, but when replacement is needed, these may be just the ticket for our generic "daily-driver" grocery-getters... Just simple, cheap, useable lights.
Lighting the way... LOL!
Leo in Texas
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bluefront
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Modded Xingyue ITA150
Posts: 67
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Post by bluefront on Aug 25, 2010 6:09:10 GMT -5
Nice you lucked out.....but some people may have trouble with that extra 20W current draw. To be 100% certain your battery is charging while the headlights are on, you need to hook up an AMP meter to the system and take readings. You can use a VOLT meter, but the readings might fool you. The battery is usually charging if the volt meter reads at least 13.2V or so while driving along.....but the AMP meter will tell you for certain. I had a standard 35W headlight on my Xingyue....weak output. I changed over to a 35W Halogen bulb to get a little more light....big improvement. But the extra heat from the halogen bulb melted the socket.......bad. To fix the mess I had to find a 35W halogen bulb with an H4 base ( here).....You can find heavy-duty H4 replacement sockets at auto-parts stores. Then I had to rig up a different attachment method for the socket, since an H4 is completely different from the OEM attachment on my headlight lens assy. Lots of fun...... |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 25, 2010 10:56:17 GMT -5
Bluefront,
Point well-taken... I'll have to check it out. Although, at the rate these old bones are working, I'll most likely find out if the battery stays up before I get around to testing the output... LOL!
I've either got a VERY good charging system, or a VERY good battery (and I know neither one is common to these scoots...) as the bike gets started a lot, for short trips, and often sits for extended periods, but the battery has stayed up strong with no trickle charge, for three seasons now.
If these bulbs do prove too much for the system, I'll just go back to the original 25 watt types. Thankfully, "parts is parts" with these, and you can easily find most anything needed.
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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bluefront
Recruit
Modded Xingyue ITA150
Posts: 67
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Post by bluefront on Aug 25, 2010 13:54:30 GMT -5
The other bad thing that might happen if you try a higher wattage bulb, or change over to a Halogen bulb of the same wattage like I did......the headlight lens itself could melt. This could get expensive.... I did a few mods to the rear of the headlight housing...to promote convection airflow over the housing and around the socket. Seems to have worked for me. No more melting + a better headlight.  |
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jmkjr72
contributing staff
Commander 132nd Northern Cav. Division
Posts: 2,779
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Post by jmkjr72 on Sept 4, 2010 19:18:31 GMT -5
i have had good luck with the upgrade from 35/35 to standerd auto bulbs
but then again on both of my scoots the lighting and charging circuts are seprate circuts
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 7, 2010 13:03:27 GMT -5
Just a quick update...
It's been over a month since I installed the 35 watt headlights and the battery still stays up just fine. "Lil' Bubba" still gets started often and driven little, so the increased wattage has not hampered charging. Lots of days when it gets started at least five times with less than ten miles local errand running. Could be the YUASA Japanese battery that came with the scoot is an extra-good one... three full years of use now and still going strong.
At least with my individual scooter, these cheap lights have made a noticeable improvement in visibility with no apparent negative side effects. COOL!
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 20, 2010 1:50:51 GMT -5
Well Rebs and Rebettes,
It's pretty much the end of the riding season, and a full season with the new headlight bulbs... so one last update on the 35W headlight replacements. Lots of engine starts, in town running, lots of sitting and still no problems of any kind. Battery stays up, no melted plastic... just better lights.
Not fantastic, but quite a bit better than the stock 25W factory lights. Certainly much better than my old Harleys, BSA's, Triumphs, etc. I'm happy...
Ride safe,
Leo in Texas
PS: I just realized it's ALSO three full seasons on the original factory battery, and the "Torch" spark plug. Runs like a bandit, so I'm not fixing anything that ain't broke... LOL!
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wortleees
Recruit
Trasplanted Texan
Posts: 68
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Post by wortleees on Dec 20, 2010 6:11:38 GMT -5
WOW!Three years on one battery,got's to get one of those.I replace bat's every year & run a trickle
charger too! That's what I get for running cheapo liquid bats. Going to try the headlight when mine
go out.Thanks for posting. Have a safe & merry Christmas.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 2, 2011 3:38:07 GMT -5
WOW!Three years on one battery,got's to get one of those.I replace bat's every year & run a trickle charger too! That's what I get for running cheapo liquid bats. Going to try the headlight when mine go out.Thanks for posting. Have a safe & merry Christmas. My el-cheapo scoot came with a Japanese Yuasa battery from the factory, and it seems to be a really good one! Obviously though, it's NOW on borrowed time... LOL! Mine is a great example of the variances in these things... I got it off the net from ATVDiscounters back when they were in business and selling a LOAD of these. On my order ($697 delivered to my door!) I specified "BLACK" for 1st color choice. AND 2nd color choice... Now, this was the LOW-BUCK "promotional" scooter, listed with drum rear brake, and NO extras... This one came with metal-flake black paint, matching trunk, black chrome trim, disks front and rear, Gates Powerlink belt, alarm, tach (accurate too!) and black anodized muffler... It was SO far above the listed scooter that I actually called ATV to see if they sent the wrong one. They said since I specified "BLACK" as my ONLY color choice, they made sure I got a black one, and all the black ones were deluxe-equipped! Get a red or green one, and it was a "bottom-feeder" model. Of course, it DOES have the obligatory "square wheels" and gave ALL the trouble these rides are known for, but it just shows how the equipment and features-levels vary from one to another. And, ATV is now long out of business... Whenever you order from the internet, it's a crap-shoot. I did have to spend about $100 in new parts, and a fair number of hours' work to straighten it out (AND, I'm an old HARLEY guy... I Don't even begin to understand these things!) but I do think the money saved is worth the trouble of making the doggone things right! My total investment isn't a decent downpayment on an Asian scoot... Ride safe, and keep that old battery charged...Leo |
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wortleees
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Trasplanted Texan
Posts: 68
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Post by wortleees on Jan 2, 2011 12:30:46 GMT -5
Leo, Thanks. My sentiments exactly. Go's along with: A penny earned & a penny saved.
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Post by dorby on Feb 22, 2011 2:15:50 GMT -5
I upgrade my electrical system to 11 coil stator/regulator and run 35watt hids..and never have an issue with battery dying
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Post by Rebel on Sept 24, 2011 12:01:20 GMT -5
Leo,
I ordered the same 35 watt bulbs for mine. I liked the direct replacement idea and when they get her I hope it goes as well for me as yours did. Those 25 watt bulbs are almost as bright as a candle.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 9, 2011 2:06:55 GMT -5
Leo, I ordered the same 35 watt bulbs for mine. I liked the direct replacement idea and when they get her I hope it goes as well for me as yours did. Those 25 watt bulbs are almost as bright as a candle. Hey Rebel, I hope yours work well too! I'm now nearly a full 4 years on my original equipment battery, and it's still staying up and good. The lights are working fine too. Even the 35 watt bulbs are not what I'd call "fabulous" but are much better than the 25's. I must have gotten the best factory battery ever put in a cheap scooter! Ride safe! Leo |
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Post by Rebel on Oct 10, 2011 15:59:20 GMT -5
Yeah the standard 25 watt bulbs are best left fo daylight riding. These 35 watt ones are much better, but I'm wondering about putting some quartz 25 watt bulbs in like bluefront suggested, heat is the big concern. I've been looking and found replacement headlight assemblies for this scooter, if it melts.
I'm thinking though that it might just get that Kliff prepared motor first.
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CAN YOU HELP ME OUT MAN,AS i LOST ME JOB DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THERE?ANY INF