Anyone use white/bluish headlights?

**jasonzc** · 21st September 2010, 18:11

Hi there,

So it all started when my mate gave me a white LED light to replace my parking light bulb. Because it is white, it doesnt match the main headlight, so i bought a NARVA ARTIC BLUE bulb.

What a Waste of money. Its meant to emit a purish white light. But it just ended up being a slightly lighter shade of yellow compared with the stock, and seemed slightly less brighter too.

What a waste of time. So i have taken the bulb out and will try ask for a refund.

So i guess my question is, does anyone know a bulb that will emit a whitish/blueish light without going to the HID option? Or am I trying chase the uncatchable dragon?
Since i have taken my headlight apart, id like to get some decent bulbs that are better than stock, prefferably white.

Any suggestions?

**Gremlin** · 21st September 2010, 22:04

Usually, a white/blue light isn't as strong as a normal bulb.

You can certainly get those sorts of bulbs, but my preference is for Hella +50% or +90% bulbs, colour is probably a little whiter, but more importantly, it is much brighter.

**gijoe1313** · 21st September 2010, 22:08

Just beware any advice or assistance Gremlin gives you regarding bulbs. You usually end up with oil on your gear with it. And random working of bulbs.

And as I've said it before, I'll say it again ....

"Gremlin by name, gremlin by nature!"

**jasonzc** · 22nd September 2010, 00:21

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Usually, a white/blue light isn't as strong as a normal bulb.

You can certainly get those sorts of bulbs, but my preference is for Hella +50% or +90% bulbs, colour is probably a little whiter, but more importantly, it is much brighter.

Hmmm should i use those and potentialy risk stranded at midnight out in the middle of nowhere?

jks jks.... ok ill look into those.. have to ask the local garages if the stock them. Ill go check out the Hellas site. Cheers gremlin!

**Gremlin** · 22nd September 2010, 00:28

hella.co.nz is where the part numbers and range are

naturally you've seen that thread then. +50% gives a gain, with good bulb life. +90% doesn't last as long, but last one lasted a little under a year

**slofox** · 22nd September 2010, 07:56

Originally Posted by Gremlin

hella.co.nz is where the part numbers and range are

naturally you've seen that thread then. +50% gives a gain, with good bulb life. +90% doesn't last as long, but last one lasted a little under a year

What is the current draw of these bulbs compared to std?

EDIT: Don't worry - found the appropriate info on the Hella website...

**cheshirecat** · 22nd September 2010, 09:44

Originally Posted by Gremlin

hella.co.nz is where the part numbers and range are

naturally you've seen that thread then. +50% gives a gain, with good bulb life. +90% doesn't last as long, but last one lasted a little under a year

Wish Iknew that earlier - I've been through 4 plus 90's in 15 months.
They are good though.

**Dschubba** · 22nd September 2010, 10:16

Depending on your bike, bikes with metal/glass headlamp enclosures, ie me old gsx1200, triumph street triple could take a 100W bulb. I had 130/90W H4 in the GSX. Needed to be wired thru a relay of course. The lights on that sucker were as good as the ZX14.

Bikes with the plastic enclosures I am assuming would melt.

**rie** · 22nd September 2010, 22:25

goddamn those lights are annoying.

**jasonzc** · 22nd September 2010, 22:29

Hahaha not if you do heaps of open rd riding at night.

I live off hw17 so if I go home at night, I'd like to see afar and been seen I suppose. There are some munter boyracers who roam that stretch of rd.

**rie** · 22nd September 2010, 22:35

Originally Posted by jasonzc

Hahaha not if you do heaps of open rd riding at night.

I live off hw17 so if I go home at night, I'd like to see afar and been seen I suppose.

lol i see your point. i am mere cityfolk with humble stock headlight. >_<

**Gremlin** · 23rd September 2010, 00:57

Originally Posted by slofox

What is the current draw of these bulbs compared to std?

well, you found details. They shouldn't draw any more than stock, which is the big appeal, just more light.

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

Wish Iknew that earlier - I've been through 4 plus 90's in 15 months.
They are good though.

Ouch... that is a tad quick. I would estimate 6-12 months per bulb, no more, no less. As you say, they are good tho. I'll take less life for such great light (don't use extra spots or anything)

Originally Posted by Dschubba

Depending on your bike, bikes with metal/glass headlamp enclosures, ie me old gsx1200, triumph street triple could take a 100W bulb. I had 130/90W H4 in the GSX. Needed to be wired thru a relay of course. The lights on that sucker were as good as the ZX14.

Bikes with the plastic enclosures I am assuming would melt.

Yeup, gotta be careful. If the bulb is too powerful, you can either melt your headlight or worse, fry your electrics.

Originally Posted by rie

goddamn those lights are annoying.

Well, you really do need to dip for other vehicles, but I don't just commute in dark (its not even needed for that). I cover hundreds of kilometres in the dark, in the country. Sometimes I ride from afternoon to following morning (or more), ie, an entire night in the country (other than gas in towns of course). The +90% bulbs give fantastic light, even mid corner, but my headlight is mounted higher than normal bikes, which aids lighting mid corner.

**jasonzc** · 23rd September 2010, 11:46

OHk, so its decided, give up on the white/blue light stuff..

And go for the +50 or the +90's.
Is there a big difference between the 50s and 90s? and how much of a difference between stock and 50s? Just making sure cause changing bulbs on my bike is a pain in the ass hahaha.

**avgas** · 23rd September 2010, 12:07

How long did you leave the artic ice bulb in for. Mine would go blue after being turned on for about 5 minutes.
If you want blue - get a bulb with an intensity over 7,000 lumens.