SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

So, I'm getting rid of my HID's because I'm bored of having no high beam and all the wires etc etc.

The thing I don't like about h4 bulbs though, Is that when you put them into high beam, you can light up far enough ahead but the road immediately infront of you isn't anywhere near as bright. Vice versa problem obviously when on dip.

I've got an SK1. Having 2 headlights of course. Is there any way how I can make only one light go into high beam and the other staying on dip. Then when put into dip mode, both lights are on dip.

Is there a simple way of doing this? Does it sound like a good idea or can you guys think of a reason why it shouldn't be done?

Any thoughts much appreciated. Cheers.

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

I like it! Don't see why it would be illegal/dangerous either, but then what do I know.

Dead easy to do with a 12V DPDT relay, I scribbled a diagram below... two Y shaped mini-looms, two H4-to-relay jumper wires, a relay and a diode. This is fitted to the side which you want to remain dipped; all it does is feed the low beam side of the bulb from the hi beam circuit, leaving hi-beam completely deactivated. No chopping of the loom either.

12V DPDT automotive relays aren't common, but there are plenty of alternatives.

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?...pictureid=6745

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Thank you! Much appreciated!

Now give me a little while to get my head around that diagram. (I'm a plumber, so electrics aren't my thing lol)

This is what I was thinkIng of, although it may not work?

Buying female and male h4 plugs. I'd then link the 2 together as follows:

Hi >diode > low
Low linked in with low above via diode also
Earth > earth (if that third wire is an earth and not a neutral? Lol)

I understand a diode is a one way valve? So I assumed I'd need these in there? I could then plug the bulb in one end, and the factory h4 plug into the other?

Like I say, I'm abit crap at this, you obviously have much better understanding than me, looking at that diagram above haha.

Although I could get a h7 female instead of a h4, and use a h7 bulb instead? This would mean I wouldn't have a spare terminal or filament that doesn't get used?

All this thinking is giving me headache haha. I hope you understand what if said?

Cheers
Oli

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Attachment 12313

Best attempt of a drawing I can do on the ipad really lol. It might help though.

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

That diagram will work - but I respectfully suggest it's making things difficult.

Take a connection from the output from the light switch that goes to the dip switch, connect it direct to low beam on whichever bulb you want as low beam, and leave the other light's wiring alone. When the light switch is at 'on' that light will live up, and stay so when the dip switch is in either position, other light will work as normal. Would be wise to put an inline fuse in the new wiring to the stays-on-low-beam light.

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

I see exactly what you mean with the two diodes, and it would work just fine! Easier / cheaper than the relay wiring, and with the right diodes would last a long time too. Good solution :)

I thought about diodes and went for the relay method out of electrical robustness; if the diodes get shorted for any reason they'll pop quickly, faster than the fuse. So the right diodes are needed... big diodes.

I like it Sid, simples ;) I had assumed the power to the low beam was cut altogether once the high beam was switched on, but of course it's in the handlebar switchgear.

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Cheers guys. Ill have a think about this n get somethin put together over the next few days :). Ill let you know how it goes.

Obviously not going to be amazingly good as the light output isnt increased, its just spread out more. So shall have to see how it fairs against stock i guess. Itll keep me busy for a week or so atleast anyway haha.

Cheers

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Squid, would the low beam element be lit all the time the lights are on? Then when you go to high beam, it makes the second element come on also? So when your in high beam, you have both the bulbs elements on at the same time?

If so, wont this overheat and burn out the bulb?

Cheers

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

You will need to isolate the original low beam power on the permanent on low . so if you fit a new H4 connector .it won't have to include the Hi beam feed .Then only the low is on.
If you don't both lows will be on all the time .
Poor loom ....

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

The stays-on-low-beam light should have it's high beam connection removed, or, as rightly said, that bulb would have both filaments on when high beam is on. I thought that was apparent, perhaps I should have said.

Yes, the overall light output will be slightly reduced, with both high beams on there is 120W - 2 x 60W, (if the original 35W bulbs have been replaced with 60/55W bulbs that is - by now I imagine most Curvys will), with one low and one high there will 55W + 60W - 115W, which is obviously a little bit less, that said I suspect the biggest noticed change will be the area that's illuminated. Try it and see - I'm not certain whether any significant benefit/deficit will be noted.
Some older cars had both low and high beam filaments powered when high beam is on, so the bulb will probably be OK, whether the wiring that was specified for 35W bulbs that's now carrying 60W bulbs would handle even more load is an interesting question, also the bulb would be running hotter and the headlight is entirely made of plastic, but some have used 100W bulbs and reported no problems - so who knows?

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

From what I have read, it should be possible to run both filaments at the same time on a H4 without damage. I would be more concerned at the SVs lack of charging power which is why I have not done it to mine.

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Ahh it probably was obvious actual, but at that time in a morning after such a long day, not even my own name was obvious haha.

Hmm yeah. I dont really want both lit up. Could cause more problems than its worth i think.

Ill just have to give it a go. Obviously with high beam at the moment, its 120w focused into a relatively small spot, aimed right into the distance. With the new set up in place, it will only be 60w in that spot and the rest somewhat closer to the front wheel. Theres only one way to find out i guess.

Ill have a word with my neighbour later, see if he can help me order the right diodes n things.

Cheers again guys. Ill let you know how i get on. Its got two options anyway, itll work or it wont...

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Up grade the loom .
You know it makes sense .
Fatter wires have less resistance. more power to your night breakers ;)

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Sounds like abit of a tricky job though? Chasin all those wires around lol. Do many people do that?

I have thought about seperate auxiliary lights instead, but i cant really see anywhere to mount them that wont look silly on an S.

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Well you want to see were your going!
The dioed things an over complication thats fraught with more power loss & posible heat failer.
Running a new fused feed with a switch over relay is less hassle than pulling your self out of a ditch !

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

I have 2 relays mounted to the front subframe, with decent cable back to the battery. Took the main beams from 10v at the bulb to 13 ish, made a world of difference. The standard wiring is naff even before you stick 55/65w H4 bulbs in it.

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

No diodes required with my suggestion.

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Er just a question.
Why do you want to see the small bit the dip beam gives you over main beam ?
If your reflectors any good it's only 6 ft infront of your wheel..
You should be looking futher up the road when your going fast enough to use main beam?

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

I like to see both. I do look a fair way up the road when riding out of town, but potholes etc etc can be difficult to spot far away. Plus, i live in the peak district, a very hilly area. If im coming up to the brow of a hill, the hot spot on full beam is in the sky, and the road is dark. I just thought itd be nice to have both really.

I drive a vw polo with h7 and h1 high. The beam pattern is brilliant on high, i just thought i might get a similar beam pattern although it would be somewhat dimmer.

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Ok
the head light on the curvey not going to match the vw .its not a very good shape.
have a read through this thread
http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=144481

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

I know it will never match, just wanted a better spread of light. Even a car with h4 headlights is never as good as a car with separate bulbs for each imho.

Cheers mate, ill have a read when i get home :).

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Have you seen these?


http://www.bikevis.com/motorcycle-rigid-industries-duallys.html

Saw a pair fitted to a thunderace once, mega bright!

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

WARNING:*These lights are so bright we would urge any owner to please be courteous when other traffic is around and switch them off!.

not much point then !!"

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Hahahaha. Thatd sort the drivers infront of me out that have their rear fog light on for no reason wouldnt it lolol.

I fear that when a car comes the other way, and i turned those off, everything would just appear pitch black (because id be used to that amount of light) and id simply ride through a wall or somethin lol. They look like brilliant pieces of kit though

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Well they're not running lights! Of course you'd turn them off, just like turning off the hi-beam when there's other traffic...

I was behind this ace on a country road in the peaks, in the dark, and they were spiffing :D

Lol, bring on the night blindness :)

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2610136914...84.m1423.l2649
Chuck this at it . Report back and let me know if its worth getting some for my Kwaker :)

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Iv tried one hid and one halogen in the sv before. You just cant see the halogen on high beam because your eyes get used to the amount of brightness that the hid's are putting out. If you know what i mean?

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

Read this mate:
http://www.vvme.com/difference-betwe...d-bi-xenon-hid

The bottom bit about a bulb like you showed there. It says the halogen high beam is used purely to pass inspection and not driving with, as it will never go straight.

:).

Re: SV bulb upgrade, I've had an idea....
 

That's ok then .
I have Bi H4 in my car and hardly ever use the main .
But they look like a good plan for the bike .
Thanks for the info :)