Headlight replacement question

[nga]

This may be a dumb question, but I’ll ask. My current bulbs say 12V 55W

These, pictured below say 12.8V 55W. Is there any harm using 12.8V vs 12V?

Thanks.


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[Longdog Cymru]

I would say just plug them in and switch them on! No issues whatsoever.

 

[nga]

I would say just plug them in and switch them on! No issues whatsoever.

Thanks, Longdog Cymru

 

[EricV]

That's how they make the bulbs brighter, they draw more voltage. That's referred to as an 'over driven' bulb. they are brighter, but also hotter and will not last as long. I was getting about 10k miles from Silverstar bulbs the last time I chose to run them for a few years. Got tired of replacing bulbs. 5 times one year, which was just silly. Especially when you lose one during a night ride and know the other is going to shortly burn out too. Sucked on one ride having one bulb and riding in the rain at night on deer heavy, twisty roads. Kind of hard to swap bulbs in the rain w/o good cover to keep the new bulb clean and dry when putting it in.

 

[RIDEMYST]

I actually had both burn out on the same day......not good! -JEP-


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[nga]

That's how they make the bulbs brighter, they draw more voltage. That's referred to as an 'over driven' bulb. they are brighter, but also hotter and will not last as long. I was getting about 10k miles from Silverstar bulbs the last time I chose to run them for a few years. Got tired of replacing bulbs. 5 times one year, which was just silly. Especially when you lose one during a night ride and know the other is going to shortly burn out too. Sucked on one ride having one bulb and riding in the rain at night on deer heavy, twisty roads. Kind of hard to swap bulbs in the rain w/o good cover to keep the new bulb clean and dry when putting it in.

So would you return the ones above and go for the less expensive ones that don't burn as hot, hoping they'll last longer?

 

[EricV]

It's your money, but yes, I would return the Silverstar bulbs and order some Osram Night Breakers. They are brighter than stock and last much longer than the Silverstars, possibly longer than OEM. I eventually moved to a Gen II and changed the bulbs to Chinese LED kit with some longer caps by deftoner on this forum. Cost $30 for the pair of LED bulbs.

 

[nga]

It's your money, but yes, I would return the Silverstar bulbs and order some Osram Night Breakers. They are brighter than stock and last much longer than the Silverstars, possibly longer than OEM. I eventually moved to a Gen II and changed the bulbs to Chinese LED kit with some longer caps by deftoner on this forum. Cost $30 for the pair of LED bulbs.

Thanks. I'll do that then.

 

[gv550]

Look at the back of that Sylvania package, it will state the rated hours of life, likely less than 100 hours. But they also state the warranty, one year.
So I use them, they burn out regularly and I return them to the autoparts store for free replacements. I'm getting good at replacing bulbs, and I always carry spares. They usually burn out within a few days of each other.

 

[AVGeek]

No they won’t harm your electrical system at all. While vehicle electrical systems are usually referred to as 12VDC, there is actually quite a bit of fluctuation, depending on the output of the alternator or stator. Most voltage regulators in vehicles will pass more than the nominal voltage, so as to do things like charge the battery while driving. Watts, voltage and amperage are all inter-related as described by Ohm’s law, where Power (watts) = Intensity (amperage) x Electromotive force (voltage). So in theory, in order to produce 55W of light, your stock bulbs require 12V, and will draw about 4.5A, while the replacement bulbs at 12.8V will only draw about 4.3A for the same 55W of light. Of course, no vehicle I have ever owned produced exactly 12V, so the amount of light being produced is actually dependent on the resistance in the bulb, which is an unspecified value...

 

[nga]

No they won’t harm your electrical system at all. While vehicle electrical systems are usually referred to as 12VDC, there is actually quite a bit of fluctuation, depending on the output of the alternator or stator. Most voltage regulators in vehicles will pass more than the nominal voltage, so as to do things like charge the battery while driving. Watts, voltage and amperage are all inter-related as described by Ohm’s law, where Power (watts) = Intensity (amperage) x Electromotive force (voltage). So in theory, in order to produce 55W of light, your stock bulbs require 12V, and will draw about 4.5A, while the replacement bulbs at 12.8V will only draw about 4.3A for the same 55W of light. Of course, no vehicle I have ever owned produced exactly 12V, so the amount of light being produced is actually dependent on the resistance in the bulb, which is an unspecified value...

Thank you.

 

[Don in Lodi]

+1 on the Osram. I'm running their "off-road use only" 80 watt bulbs. Been good and bright for a couple years now. Surprising really. Got kinda used to the shorter life bulbs. The newer harness seems to be just fine with 'em.

 

[nga]

Osram Night Breakers acquired.

Thanks @EricV for the recommendation.

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[EricV]

I hope they give you what you're looking for and last as long or longer than mine did.

 

[OldRider]

How does a bulb draw more volts? I can see a higher wattage bulb drawing more amps, but volts???

 

[EricV]

It's called "over driven" and you need to remember that while we call it a 12v system, the bike's stator is putting out around 14.2 volts at 'normal' running.

 

[Cycledude]

+1 on the Osram. I'm running their "off-road use only" 80 watt bulbs. Been good and bright for a couple years now. Surprising really. Got kinda used to the shorter life bulbs. The newer harness seems to be just fine with 'em.

Like these ?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/OSRAM-Super-Bright-Off-Road-Bulb-Halogen-Lamp-H7-80W-62261-for-Universal-Vehicle/261694979500?epid=17003752601&hash=item3cee3c7dac:g:x0kAAOSwT6pV4A-e

 

[ballisticexchris]

I have been looking at the Cyclops LED conversion setup. Looks like a great option when my OEM bulbs burn out. I've had really good luck with LED lighting in the past. My Beta runs a super small Squadron headlamp that is proven very reliable and blazes the road and trail.

https://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/-H7-LED-Headlight-bulb-kit-for-the-Yamaha-Super-Tenere_p_165.html

 

[Stridey]

Like these ?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/OSRAM-Super-Bright-Off-Road-Bulb-Halogen-Lamp-H7-80W-62261-for-Universal-Vehicle/261694979500?epid=17003752601&hash=item3cee3c7dac:g:x0kAAOSwT6pV4A-e

I think in the past on similar bulb upgrade threads people have said the loom may not be upto having 2 x 80w bulbs fitted?


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[loftybob]

I have been looking at the Cyclops LED conversion setup. Looks like a great option when my OEM bulbs burn out. I've had really good luck with LED lighting in the past. My Beta runs a super small Squadron headlamp that is proven very reliable and blazes the road and trail.

https://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/-H7-LED-Headlight-bulb-kit-for-the-Yamaha-Super-Tenere_p_165.html

I have them fitted to my ride here in Aus, where our wildlife at night take great pleasure in trying to be your pillion.

They are great, very happy with them. Make sure you spend the extra $$$ to get the LED marker lights as well, to keep the color of your headlight looking the same .