PIAA 1100x replacement bulb

[Husker Red]

My PIAA 1100x just burned out their first bulb. You warned me they were short lived and you were right. Only 6 months and 10,000 miles old. That's a really expensive light to burn out this soon.

 

1) Does anyone have a suggestion as to where to buy PIAA replacements?

 

2) Is there any other alternative bulb that would work?

 

Thanks

[GordonB]

PIAA's are warranteed for 12 mos., contact PIAA directly, all you need is your sales receipt and a bad bulb, they will send you a replacement.

[KevinH]

From another thread a long time ago ...

 

Where can I find new bulbs for my 1100xx

 

A while back several of us got replactment moto lights from http://www.bulbs.com/. I also have gotten fantastic prices on Full Spectrum light bulbs here, so they are likely to have good prices on the PIAA if they have them.

 

If you're as cheap as I am, you can go to Home Depot and pick up track lighting bulbs that fit perfectly. Size is MR16 and they're about $3.50 each or 3 for $10. Works almost as well and you have more choices in regards to wattage and spread of light.

[randy]

i believe the MR16 bulb is only for moto lights. I think the PIAA is a different bulb.

[stubble!]

See these posts:

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/sh...true#Post852666

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/sh...true#Post683895

 

MR-16 works nicely. (I've found the 35 watt version is my preference.) However it has a flat face, while the PIAA has a thick lens glued to it.

 

I carefully broke the PIAA bulbs to seperate the lens, then just placed the lens in front of the MR-16 bulb before reassembly. I used a thin o-ring between them, but it's a bit thick and doesn't want to tighten up all the way. (You could break some glass if you're over-zealous). Next time I'll apply thin ring of silicone, rather than the o-ring.

[snod]

The PIAA 1100 is a "special" bulb. It has the lense and the bulb all in fused together into one unit. I think 200 hours is about the average life span. Cycle Gadgets sells the bulbs, even though they aren't listed on their web site. I believe I paid about $40.00 each last set I bought. You will have to call them. White Horse Press also sells them.

[rondob4]

One of my PIAAs burned out a while back so I decided to replace both of them. Now neither works - I have an autoswitch and an LED on the dash (both installed by previous owner). The LED gives me a brief red blip (normally it would be green if the lights worked) and then nothing.

 

Any suggestions, oh wise people of the community?

[tallman]

Michael,

Do a search on the PIAA 15352 bulb.

You'll get numerous sources for the replacement bulbs.

They run @$35/each.

They are expensive.

That's why I run my Motolights all the time (inexpensive to replace) and my PIAA's as needed.

When it's 0dark30 and the road is clear, all of them are on. Otherwise, just the Moto's.

Good luck.

[Husker Red]

Thanks to all of you for the help. I'll order a set of bulbs from one of those vendors. I'll experiment with the old one as Stubble suggested.

 

Mike

[Jon_M]

Is it possible that there is a problem with the switch or wiring? I can't see two bulbs burning out that close together, although of course it is possible.

[TonyT607]

With respect to the 1100X bulbs (and maybe others) one reason they fail is because the two little connection pins that plug into the ceramic connector corrode and break due to moisture. My bulbe were failing after only a few months. I now goop some dielectric grease on the little pins before installing the bulbs and have not had a failure in a year and a half.

[Weyman]

I had to replace both bulbs on my PIAAs last year. My local dealer had them for a fairly decent price so I bought them there. I think they ordered a pair, I bought one and within two weeks the second bulb blew and I bought its mate.

 

One suggestion from the LT site is that the on-off cycle is hard on the bulbs. I used to leave my PIAAs on all the time which meant they came on with the key, then cycled off and on again on startup (load shedding relay at work). That's a wasted cycle. Now I turn the lights off before shutting down the bike, and wait until I've started the engine before switching them on.

 

Others have reported this extends bulb life significantly. I can't say for sure but hey, it can't hurt, right?

 

The prior owner of my bike installed the PIAAs. If I were starting from scratch I think I'd opt for the Motolights, which I understand includes lifetime bulb replacement.

[Bill_Walker]

One suggestion from the LT site is that the on-off cycle is hard on the bulbs. I used to leave my PIAAs on all the time which meant they came on with the key, then cycled off and on again on startup (load shedding relay at work). That's a wasted cycle. Now I turn the lights off before shutting down the bike, and wait until I've started the engine before switching them on.

 

Others have reported this extends bulb life significantly. I can't say for sure but hey, it can't hurt, right?

 

I leave mine on all the time, with the exception of when I'm working on the bike. 36,000 miles so far with the original bulbs (knocking on wood). However, I don't do a lot of short rides, so there aren't all that many on-off cycles involved, I suppose.

[outpost22]

I have the same lights. Just buy an MR16 35w-50W bulb for $7.00. They come in various patterns( wide flood all the way to narrow spot) Pry the lens off of the PIAA. Add some high temp gasket sealer to the PIAA lens and add the new bulb to it. Simple, easy and doesn't cost much. I won't pay $35-$45 for a $7.00 bulb Oh, and don't touch the MR16 bulb with your skin. Wear latex gloves. Skin oil will shorten bulb life. If you do touch it, clean the bulb with alcohol. (Jim Beam works)

[Husker Red]

I appreciate all the help. I stopped by my local BMW dealer on my way home last night and they had the bulb in stock for $38 - less than I had found on the internet!

 

I switched them out and disected the old one. As others have mentioned, the front lens is removable with some effort. I chipped it up a little bit while prying it apart but I'm sure I can re-use it. I'll get a halogen bulb from the hardware store and stick it on with some high temp sealant.

 

Here's some pictures that I hope will help someone else with this project.

 

Mike

 

 

 

[motoleo]

I have the same lights. Just buy an MR16 35w-50W bulb for $7.00. They come in various patterns( wide flood all the way to narrow spot) Pry the lens off of the PIAA. Add some high temp gasket sealer to the PIAA lens and add the new bulb to it. Simple, easy and doesn't cost much. I won't pay $35-$45 for a $7.00 bulb Oh, and don't touch the MR16 bulb with your skin. Wear latex gloves. Skin oil will shorten bulb life. If you do touch it, clean the bulb with alcohol. (Jim Beam works)

 

I have the metal housings and mounts, wiring harness, relay, switch...everything except the chrome ring, clear lens, bulb and bulb holder for apair of PIAA 1100x lamps.

 

Anyone know where I can purchase these parts separately. Anyone have parts list with part numbers and [art dcescriptions for the PIAA 1100x lights?

[Bill_Walker]

Here's some pictures that I hope will help someone else with this project.

 

Man, that sure as shootin' LOOKS like an MR16!

[Paul Mihalka]

A PIAA modified MR16 bulb for $38? Gimme a break! That's why I mounted IPF lights from www.bestrestproducts.com on my R1200GS. They use standard H3 bulbs, available at NAPA etc. for $5. The lights came with a pair of 55watt H3,and a pair of 100watt H3.

[Spyder]

Husker,

How did you get the lens off? I tried (although not very patiently) and ended up cracking the reflector.

[tallman]

Paul,

On a GS, there are many big light options that fit the character and space avilable on the bike.

On a GT, or RT, there are more limited mounting places.

One could purchase a less expensive driving lamp that uses less expensive replacement bulbs and save $$$ compare to Moto's and PIAA's.

But, trying to mount big lamps on a GT/RT can be problematical.

[Husker Red]

Husker,

How did you get the lens off? I tried (although not very patiently) and ended up cracking the reflector.

Ah, well, you know... I used my usual method of employing completely inappropriate tools for the job. I first used a utility knife to cut the sealant between the bulb and the the cover. That was probably a smart move. But then I used a big screwdriver blade to pry it apart at the notched area. I chipped it a bit doing that, but it did come apart a little bit. Then I used a (cheap) wood chisle around the rest of it, slowly working it in between and then prying the halves apart.

Of course, no safety protective devices were used while chipping glass and forcing a sharp object onto a hard rounded surface that I was holding in my hand. Thankfully, God watches out for children and fools so I am still typing this with all my original fingers.

[stubble!]

I tried prying with no success. Instead I wrapped the whole thing in a towel, and rapped a claw hammer on the side of the reflector. Once it broke it was easy to peel the pieces off the lens.

[Spyder]

Husker,

How did you get the lens off? I tried (although not very patiently) and ended up cracking the reflector.

Ah, well, you know... I used my usual method of employing completely inappropriate tools for the job. I first used a utility knife to cut the sealant between the bulb and the the cover. That was probably a smart move. But then I used a big screwdriver blade to pry it apart at the notched area. I chipped it a bit doing that, but it did come apart a little bit. Then I used a (cheap) wood chisle around the rest of it, slowly working it in between and then prying the halves apart.

Of course, no safety protective devices were used while chipping glass and forcing a sharp object onto a hard rounded surface that I was holding in my hand. Thankfully, God watches out for children and fools so I am still typing this with all my original fingers.

 

Ha Husker, good narrative. I always consider a job "well done" when I begin to bleed.

[BigAL]

Curious as to which beam spread (angle) you guys use when you replace with the MR-16 bulbs... 24, 36 ?

 

I was thinking of trying these USHIO bulbs.... http://www.1000bulbs.com/10000-Hour-MR16-Super-Long-Life/ for longer life.

[russell_bynum]

Husker,

How did you get the lens off? I tried (although not very patiently) and ended up cracking the reflector.

Ah, well, you know... I used my usual method of employing completely inappropriate tools for the job. I first used a utility knife to cut the sealant between the bulb and the the cover. That was probably a smart move. But then I used a big screwdriver blade to pry it apart at the notched area. I chipped it a bit doing that, but it did come apart a little bit. Then I used a (cheap) wood chisle around the rest of it, slowly working it in between and then prying the halves apart.

Of course, no safety protective devices were used while chipping glass and forcing a sharp object onto a hard rounded surface that I was holding in my hand. Thankfully, God watches out for children and fools so I am still typing this with all my original fingers.

 

That's pretty much exactly what I did as well. I attached the MR-16 to the PIAA lens using RTV. The good news is that the next time you have to do this, it'll be much easier to pry the bulb off the lens.

[BigAL]

I used a box cutter, the kind with the straight razor blade, and kept going around and around the diameter of the lens, applying firm pressure and gradually working the blade into the joint as I went around. It took about 10 minutes of going around and gradually pushing the blade deeper and deeper. Now I'm off to home depot, though I'm still not sure which angle beam to get -- I'll probably get something like 35 degrees.

[tallman]

Al,

I think the Motolights and PIAA's advertise 8 or 12 degree spread.

Sometimes hard to find.

15 degree is fairly common.

An internet search will yield other sources and beam widths.

 

Here, for example.

http://www.topbulb.com/find/Product_Description.asp_Q_intProductID_E_44705

others out there.

I think if you go too wide w/dispersion it may impact oncoming vehicles more.

[BigAL]

Darn, I just bought the 35 degree ones. The PIAA site ( http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/Lamp-pages/1100x.html ) shows a diagram showing a 35 degree spread, but I don't suppose that means a 35 degree lightbulb????

 

 

 

OOpps, I just found Motolight's description ( http://motolight.ella.net/wysiwyg.php?id=9 ) which says: Step 1 Obtain new lamp. TAKE CARE TO NEVER TOUCH THE BULB IN THE NEW LAMP. If you do touch it you must clean it with rubbing alcohol and a clean cotton cloth. Our original equipment lamp is a 35 watt 8 degree MR16 halogen lamp made by Sylvania. Any MR16 lamp up to 75 watts will work with the Motolight housing and harness but as a general rule the higher the wattage lamp the wider the beam spread which results in increased glare to oncoming traffic.

 

 

[outpost22]

Here is some MR16 lighting information.

 

You might want to think about a "narrow spot" configuration so as not to blind anyone to the side of you. Also, paying more than $5-$7 for a MR16 bulb is rediculous. One of my PIAA bulbs burned out a year ago and the other one is still working as is the $5.00 MR16 I replaced it with.

[doc47]

I have the same lights. Just buy an MR16 35w-50W bulb for $7.00. They come in various patterns( wide flood all the way to narrow spot) Pry the lens off of the PIAA. Add some high temp gasket sealer to the PIAA lens and add the new bulb to it. Simple, easy and doesn't cost much. I won't pay $35-$45 for a $7.00 bulb Oh, and don't touch the MR16 bulb with your skin. Wear latex gloves. Skin oil will shorten bulb life. If you do touch it, clean the bulb with alcohol. (Jim Beam works)

Lenny, the sockets are available here. Search their catalog for MR-16. www.servicelighting.com

I have the metal housings and mounts, wiring harness, relay, switch...everything except the chrome ring, clear lens, bulb and bulb holder for apair of PIAA 1100x lamps.

 

Anyone know where I can purchase these parts separately. Anyone have parts list with part numbers and [art dcescriptions for the PIAA 1100x lights?

[effexer1]

One of my PIAA's was not working, and I found that one of the pins on the connector was broken off, the lamp filament was fine. However, it can not be fixed, so I ordered the $40.00 bulb before checking this thread.

[BigAL]

Well, the fix works, but it's a compromise. The light is not the 'super white' that PIAA sells. It's definitely yellower. But for $6 instead of $40, I guess I can live with it.

 

AL