Daft headlight question

[Mags]

One of my SK'02 dipped lights has blown. Instead of just replacing the bulb with a normal one I wanted to try the Osram Silverstars as I have read good stuff about them.

I looked in the manual for the bulb type and it just says UK/Canada are 12v 45W/45W with nothing else. When I looked up the Osrams on some web sites it refers to H1,H3, H4 etc, are these the same? how do I know what I want?

Yours confused

Mags

[simon-temple]

I think the SV bulbs are H4, when you take out the blown one it will say on the side. They refer to the shape of bulb and the fitting.

One thing to bear in mind when you replace the bulbs for higher wattage items is that they put more load on the generator. I don't know the output of that but I'm sure someone here will.

[weegaz22]

the generator is the same on all sv's so you could put in 55w bulbs without worrying about discharging the battery, but im not sure if the wiring for the lighting system is the same for all SV's in the fact that it can take higher wattage, you shouldnt have a problem with 55w bulbs but any higher and you will be placing a strain on the system, and higher than 55w can also yellow the lenses

[Scoobs]

I think I have got 55/65's on my bike and they are H4's. 45's a p155 poor. Junk 'em and go for something a bit more powerful. Osrams and Phillkips are good. Please note that these 85/100W bulbs are illegal on the road and may cause the plastic lamp lenses to yellow.

Beaten by the wee fella. D'oh!

[weegaz22]

Beaten by the wee fella. D'oh!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:

[Mags]

Cheers folks, I guess the wiring rating is the same, I can't see Suzuki changing the wire rating for the non-UK/Canada models only having a single dipped beam rated at 55W, only the piece of loom that connects to the lamps. I will see what I can get from Osram.

Mags

[simon-temple]

Please note that these 85/100W bulbs are illegal on the road and may cause the plastic lamp lenses to yellow.

Beaten by the wee fella. D'oh!

has anyone had this problem?

[weegaz22]

yes, way back last year though

[embee]

I've had Osram Silverstars from here, decent quick service

http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/

note, I received a 10% discount voucher with the order for subsequent orders, so if you want more than one item, do it in two orders! :lol:

They're for the cage, so can't give comments on use in SVS. A big improvement over standard H4 bulbs (OE Toyota) :shock: 8) :thumbsup:

Decent bulbs have filter coatings to eliminate (or minimiswe anyway) any effects on plastic lenses, cheapo bulbs tend to cut corners on things like filters and filament alignment!

There have been threads here where folks have fitted extra wiring and relays to supply improved H/lamps to reduce the voltage drop through the standard wiring. Try a search on Relays.

[vroooOOOM]

BEWARE :!: The by-product of electrons flowing onlong a conductor is heat = fire, I recomend that you find out the cross sectional area of the wiring harnes and work out what the power rating is, this way you can be sure your not overstressing the wiring insulation.

Also think of your battery as a reservoir, if your doing short journeys it may not be enough to top up charging time, I have a K4 and as soon as I turn the key on the lights are on ie no on off switch just on all time.

[snoopy]

I don't think its gunna be overstressing the wiring. It might overstress the generating system and blow a fuse but remember its the total wattage so the bike will have been tested with:

Rear lights braking, number-plate light, neutral, oil warning on, indicators flashing, main beam on.

Then you have +10% safety margin on it. Using LED indicators and rear brake lights would reduce the total load.