Headlight conversion

Post by **jcslocum** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:56 am

I'm thinking about one of these kits for my Multistrada:

http://www.xenondepot.com/category.php?category_id=10

Finnpaso · Post by **Finnpaso** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:23 pm

There is also available very good 2 headlight kit for ST series bikes:

http://www.ducatidesigns.com/inc/sdetail/35

That looks GREAT, if painted to mach bikes colour and gives plenty of light more, that normal lights

Pitty, that quite expensive....

Post by **jcslocum** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:56 pm

It's a good kit. I know 2 riders that have installed it and LOVE it.

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:13 am

jcslocum wrote:I'm thinking about one of these kits for my Multistrada:

http://www.xenondepot.com/category.php?category_id=10

But, I can't believe this kit - as promised - don't drain a higher current.

Ciao

Post by **jcslocum** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:38 am

It's true! The put out more light with a lower power consumption. It could draw up to 30AMPS but they use a timer and a ballast to start the lamp up slowly at a lower voltage/draw.

Post by **jcslocum** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:42 am

Additional Info:

Motorcycles and automobiles currently use a 12 Volt electrical system for their headlamps. XENON HID lighting systems require over 20,000 volts to ignite the bulbs. Once lit, they only require 12 volts to keep running. Our kits include a power pack that is necessary for the lamps to turn on. The input of the power pack is 12 volts. It is an integral part of the system.

Post by **jcslocum** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:59 am

Some pictures from Alain on his modification to his Paso headlight. Maybe Alain can explain further. The thumbnails are clickable to see bigger pics.

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:26 am

jcslocum wrote:Some pictures from Alain on his modification to his Paso headlight. Maybe Alain can explain further. The thumbnails are clickable to see bigger pics.

It seems to me very interesting.
So, it doesn't use the stock headlight.
Ciao

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:31 am

jcslocum wrote:It's true! The put out more light with a lower power consumption. It could draw up to 30AMPS but they use a timer and a ballast to start the lamp up slowly at a lower voltage/draw.

Now, I need the advice of my great friend electrician.

ANTTIIIIIIIII,

tell us more

!!!

Ciao

Finnpaso · Post by **Finnpaso** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:45 am

Hi Guys!

Have to say, that i havent seen THIS unit before, but that XENON system is currently in many new "little more expensive cars". It function just that way, that special bulbs need very high voltage to function and that one "box" makes that voltage from normal 12V. Anyway there is something more(copy & paste from sites):

"Complete wiring harness that will ensure you do not draw a higher current from the OEM headlight harness than it was designed to provide Complete instruction manual"

THIS CAN mean ALSO, that in that kit there, is such extra wires DIRECT from Battery(with extra fuse surely!), that it "DONT draw a higher current from the OEM headlight harness" !!!!! It can take extra current DIRECT from battery, that normal harness DONT get overloaded.... I dont know exact, what is there in that kit... Anyway You can put easily more watts to Your light system in 750 Paso, cause there is "space" for some 55W bulb more to lights, but You cant do this so simple to 907IE, cause it have "little too small" charching system, caused by big currents of injection....

And more from that site: "For motorcycles using a single H4, 9004, and 9007 bulb for both low and high beam , you will lose your high beam functionality. (with using this unit

)

This i dont understant maybe right, but seems, that kit doest fuction, like I WANT: I want to keep BOTH low and high beams still in function....

Anyway its not so bad idea to put 2 extra relays to Paso light system(one for low and one for hing beam), no matter, do You add second light, or stay in normal light, but its vise to count, how much new lights takes current and how much You have in Your Paso charching system(free/space)...

ALSO You have to think one very important thing: One of Ducatis MAIN problem in electrics are TOO small diameter wires !!!!! Its very stupid to overload those, cause that can make plenty of harm, also can feed to burned places and connectors. I have lookeed very close those circuits in my Pasos and seems, that where need 1,5mm wires, they have used 0,75mm wires and where need 2,5mm wires, they put 1.0mm, or 1,5mm wires. Also those too small wire diameters make RESISTANCE and just thats why its very important to keep Pasos connectors in good/clean shape and maybe add some realys more with bigger wires and good connectors and surely add fuses to battery side of power supply...

Ps. Also with better quality and desing of OPTICS of light, can be done plenty of good... As all know, Paso CEW unit have very poor low beam. That can be fixed very easily these day by using much better optics in light. Those late 80s it wasnt so "high tech" in car/mc light systems...

That Koito unit have only little better quality. At least i say, that everybody can do whatever to they light systems, but it would be nice, if someone make some modifications, then tell here, what was problems and what was improvments...

Post by **jcslocum** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:04 pm

Finnpaso wrote: And more from that site: "For motorcycles using a single H4, 9004, and 9007 bulb for both low and high beam , you will lose your high beam functionality. (with using this unit )

This i dont understant maybe right, but seems, that kit doest fuction, like I WANT: I want to keep BOTH low and high beams still in function....

What this means is that if your existing bulb has 2 filaments; one for LOW beam and one for HIGH beam you will lose the high beam. The HID bulb does NOT have 2 filaments so it can only provide the low beam, like the PASO.

My Multi uses 2 bulbs for LOW and High so when I replace the low beam I will still have high beam function. I have a friend that has installed this in a '97-900SS and he tells me it is a HUGE improvement.

I will be installing this kit in the Multi so I will take pictures so all can see/understand.

Finnpaso · Post by **Finnpaso** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:33 pm

jcslocum wrote:
What this means is that if your existing bulb has 2 filaments; one for LOW beam and one for HIGH beam you will lose the high beam. The HID bulb does NOT have 2 filaments so it can only provide the low beam, like the PASO.

Ok, now i understand, what they mean.

So, if put such system, there is only one low beam in one lamp and one high beam in another lamp??? If so, then current can be, like normal and no need any extra feed from battery, but i think, if need more light, that can be done also little cheaper by putting 2 X H4 double headlights, what have then both, low and high beam in both lamps. Surely this takes more current, but that is not problem in 750 Paso. One solution is to use higher wattage bulbs, like 100W for low beam(and maybe for low beam), but that is not so good, cause that original CEW unit is not so good(i meant that optic of it) and surely then need put relay to system, cause much more current in that low beam(& maybe in high beam) circuit...

I think all depens, how much You want to spend money to system and do You want to keep look of bike normal (and surely, HOW MUCH You drive at nightime), or "tune it little". I havent liked that square headlight of Paso ever, so thats why i wanted to modifie look of my Pasos, but i didnt touch to square hole, cause now i can go to normal lamps, if need, quite easily

Anyway near all, who have seen my Pasos double headlights, have sayed, that "she" looks much better now... I see things same way, like my Ducati friends.....

Gwenadu · Post by **Gwenadu** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:44 pm

jcslocum wrote:Some pictures from Alain on his modification to his Paso headlight. Maybe Alain can explain further. The thumbnails are clickable to see bigger pics.

my head light are from a fiat punto (broken: 10€) I have separed the elements and fixed them correctly for the flat face of the paso... I have folded a polycarbonate glass etc... more pics when finished.

xenon light use only about 35-40w when lighten. but use more power to start and need about 5 seconds to reach its maxi light.so it is good for low beam bulb and must stay "on" when hi-beam on use.

Alain.

Finnpaso · Post by **Finnpaso** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:38 pm

Thanks about info about wattage...

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:39 pm

The things are making clear

So, it would drain the battery and the electrics less than the normal bulb.
It's becoming even more interesting... :lick:
Ciao :lick: