RT Under Oil-Cooler Lighting

[moshe_levy]

All-

 

After only 2.5 years, my Trail Tech MR11s are toast.

 

 

First, a bulb blew earlier this year, and after calling the company to buy more, I was told they only had two left since the MR11s were being discontinued - so I bought both, for about $40 apiece! They are little more than modified interior (household) type bulbs, from what I can see.

 

Anyway, now the other light has given up the ghost, and this time I think it's the ballast. So without support from Trail Tech on this product, and given the dismal experience I've had with these, it's time to shop around for other options.

 

What are you guys using? On my prior RT (a 2004) I had a set of PIAA 1100x, which were fairly reliable (though bulb prices were pure extortion). I should think these days LED would be the best bet. Light, small, low draw, and plenty bright.

 

These are primarily conspicuity lights used during daylight hours. I'd like the brightest I can get (as I commute alot) which of course fits in the limited space we've got under the cooler. I don't need a wiring harness or switch as I can just plug into the existing one I made up to control the Trail Techs.

 

Twisted Throttle has some nice looking units. What else can you guys recommend?

 

-MKL

[lkraus]

These are primarily conspicuity lights used during daylight hours.

-MKL

 

Skene Photon Blasters work very well for conspicuity. Co-workers that showed no previous interest in my bike made comments that they saw me coming from blocks away. The bright yellow stands out better than plain white, especially if you turn on the eye-catching "flicker" option. There are no bulbs to burn out. I made an error on my initial order and had a pleasant email exchange with Jerry Skene who resolved my error quickly. I do not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

 

Larry

[moshe_levy]

I've seen those - nice, but I've already got Motolites on the lower fork legs, and that would bunch up right near them. I'm specifically looking here for something under the oil cooler - unless you're suggesting they fit there?

 

-MKL

[eddd]

I went with a generic set from the auto parts store. The bulbs are a standard type and only cost a few dollars, though the ones I have in there have lasted a long time.

 

I use them just the way you want, for conspicuity.

[Gene#3]

I have the Skene lights mounted low at the wheel hubs, a pair of Hyper lites mounted under the oil cooler as you inquire, and another pair of Hyper lites mounted on the underside the mirrors on my 1200RT. The Hyperlites are adhesive mounted thus quite flexible on where to mount.

[johnlt]

Model 60, 3600 lumans with no ballast, just regular 12DC. Outstanding brightness. Here is the link: link

[LPOL]

I might be wrong...just ask the ex...but I believe Trail Tech made the PIAA HID Cross Country lights.

 

PIAA has had problem with 'their' ballasts and the casing turning a golden-ish bronze (vs original BLACK). I'm now on my second set of replacements from them under LIFETIME WARRANTY. They have 'many' replacement sets available for those still under this warranty. (Original purchaser).

 

Good luck find replacements. However, I did see 1 PIAA HID CC over on ADV within the last week.

Here it is:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=815189&highlight=light

PIAA Cross country hid lamp

Condition: new without box

$225.00 new plus shipping

My price $120.00 shipped

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff337/dembonesphotos/jackets%20pants%20gloves/boots%20helmets/motorcycle%20stuff%20for%20your%20bike/IMG_0258.jpg

[moshe_levy]

Cross Countries are definitely too large to fit under the oil cooler and allow adequate clearance if the front suspension were to dive. No way I can see that working...

 

-MKL

[SageRider]

Moshe,

If you haven't taken a look at the Skene (Photon Blasters) site, I suggest you do so.

To me, it looks like an easy install for the units, but there are various install methods and kits available on the site which may help with your install.

 

I do not have the Photon Blasters, but do have the P3s on the tail of my RT. (Bought but not yet installed on the GS.)

VERY effective (and obvious) in keeping people off my butt when in the flicker mode.

I assume the flicker mode on the Photon Blasters will have a definite conspicuity effect.

[Dundee387]

I have the Clearwater led lights. They're awesome and have saved my skin a few times.

 

Mine are mounted by the fork ends, but I'm sure something could be rigged up under the oil cooler...

[moshe_levy]

The Glendas? I tested them for MCN. They do work well, but they are too large for under oil cooler applications.

 

-MKL

[racer7]

Moshe,

The answer you're looking for is the Denali D2 also known as the Solstice SP 120. You can just splice it into your current setup. Much better than PIAA 1100- I ran those back in the late 90s and never thought they were much good back then and they are even more obsolete now though a testment to persistent marketing of overpriced stuff.

Been running my SP120s for a season with no reliability issues- they are always on as conspicuity (way better than any Motolight) and main beam fill. My 30W TTs that they replaced were worthless junk- completely unreliable- see my previous rants about them in the improable event you're interested). EzyMounts are what I use and I clipped them right into the PIAA harness for the former TTs using weatherpaks out of my track car collection of such. (TTs will only hit if you somehow manage to get full compression at full steering lock which is why PIAA never sold the CCs with EzyMounts- but I used them anyway with no interference for over 2 years becasue on my RT I'd already been in a world of trouble if that situation happened)

Highly recommended, 900 lumens per and very low draw. Would not go back to anything with multiple "3W" type LEDs- the "10W" type is the current technology.

PM welcome if you have specific questions.

 

(My complete setup for front is a set of 1off HIDs in the main beam; 3, 65W H-7 Osrams in the the hi beam and FF50 driving lamps on BMR mounts, the pair of SP120s on EzyMounts using a PIAA harness, and a set of Skene Photon Blasters low on the forks. I do night country riding, hence the 17,000 lumens on board- the FF50s are overkill for most of NJ where I lived when much younger- too much traffic and streetlights. About the only way left to improve my setup is to change out the FF50s for Baja Design Fuego HIDs but then I'd need to add a switched circuit to my bike- I run my FF50s off a relay circuit ties to the stock hi beam switch for convenience at present)

 

Still not a fan of tax breaks for the Volt but hope yours is running well...

[moshe_levy]

Excellent information, Racer.

 

Re the Volt, 1 month of use is coming up soon. I am averaging 152MPG so far, and the "tax break" is really a credit on my tax bill - meaning I amassed that bill, meaning the money coming back is MINE, not the taxpayer's. I am merely sending MY money to Chevrolet, instead of the US Treasury. Chew on that!

 

-MKL

 

 

[racer7]

Moshe,

The Solstice can be bought sans harness and saves a few bucks compared to the Denali D2 with harness. But if you want a spare harness the workmanship on it re connectors, etc is pretty decent. I chose to just use my weatherpaks and existing PIAA harness for the low draw they need and even switched the fuse down to match. (am a bit pissy about doing good wiring work- I hate doing avoidable electrical fixes. The PIAA harness comes with a good quality Matsu.. relay, one reason I kept it, though with the LED draw and control of lamp circuit boards in principle one could wire these without a relay...)

 

You might ask- why weatherpaks. Well I want a connector so when I pulled the tupperware the lights on their EzyMounts can stay on the plastic- just unplug them rather than pull the bracket off and reinstall at the 6K service. I tuck the weatherpaks up in the fairing and zip tie them out of the wind/water. To help eliminate all EzyMount vibration, I rigged a simple antivibration damper between the mount and the plastic oil cooler surround- thin layerof stiff foam, drill small hole in EzyMount top and through lower plastic surround and add a small zip tie there- completely stops all vibraion.

 

We could have a few more rounds of Volt fun now that the election is getting closer but then we'd get booted--somewhere....

[moshe_levy]

Racer-

 

I have an excellent harness with a VERY similar connector and anti-vibe setup to yours. I just need the lights in this case, plug and play into my existing setup. I haven't changed my stock headlamp bulbs and will definitely look into your suggestions there as well. Lots of good info there. PM me or go back to RDOT if you want to get into the Volt. Now my experience is less theoretical and more practical - and I love it more than ever. So do 2 coworkers (and counting) in the 4 weeks I've had it, who sat in mine and since have both ordered their own!

 

-MKL