55/100 watt headlights upgrade

[Scooter Montgomery]

I have seen on here people looking to up grade there headlights. Has anyone tried an 55/ 100 watt bulb upgrade? I'm in the process of doing this on my wrangler, with relays. I was thinking this could be a good upgrade to do during the winter. Anyone have any thoughts?

[ducpainter]

I have seen on here people looking to up grade there headlights. Has anyone tried an 55/ 100 watt bulb upgrade? I'm in the process of doing this on my wrangler, with relays. I was thinking this could be a good upgrade to do during the winter. Anyone have any thoughts?

I have an 80/100 watt bulb in my bike.

Absolutely no issues in over 7 years of use.

[Scooter Montgomery]

Did you run two seperate fuses and relays for both low and high beam? Anyone ever give you problems about the 80 watt low beam?

[ducpainter]

Did you run two seperate fuses and relays for both low and high beam? Anyone ever give you problems about the 80 watt low beam?

I simply plugged the higher wattage H4 bulb into the stock connector after using a little dielectric grease.

The wiring is adequate for the wattage. At least it is on my 96.

No one, but you, will notice you have a brighter bulb if the lamp is aimed properly.

[Scooter Montgomery]

Interesting.  This is what I'm doing to my Jeep right now, when ever it stops raining around here. They say that running it like this gives you better voltage at the bulbs, in the case of a Jeep, which in turn makes the bulb brighter, even with a stock bulb. Though your way is way easier.

[Howie]

I simply plugged the higher wattage H4 bulb into the stock connector after using a little dielectric grease.

The wiring is adequate for the wattage. At least it is on my 96.

No one, but you, will notice you have a brighter bulb if the lamp is aimed properly.

I've run an 80 100 for quite a while and many miles.  The wiring and connectors are adequate , but barely, so you should make sure all connections are clean and tight.

[Old_and_slow]

It's easy to upgrade the wiring properly.  Here's a wiring harness already made up:
http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html

I just used a harness from Eastern Beaver to wire up grip heaters.  Neat, clean, simple, and safe.  They're nice folks, too.

[Heath]

I use the PIAA Xtreme White Plus.  It pulls the same amount but puts out more light.

http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/Bulbs-H4.html

[Buckethead]

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[Jarvicious]

It's easy to upgrade the wiring properly.  Here's a wiring harness already made up:
http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html

I just used a harness from Eastern Beaver to wire up grip heaters.  Neat, clean, simple, and safe.  They're nice folks, too.

Out of curiosity, which headlight kit did you go with from Eastern Beaver (as far as length/weatherproof, etc)?  Looks like a fun and moderately cheap winter project.

[Old_and_slow]

I didn't do the headlight upgrade, but used an accessory wiring harness to power Symtec grip heaters.  The headlight harness uses the same components, and would be just as well made.  If I were doing the headlight rewire I'd use one of the standard shell mount kits, and use the Posilock connectors.  I haven't verified if there's space for the relays inside the headlight shell, but there probably is.  Could be tricky getting the wiring through the grommet on the back of the shell.

[Scooter Montgomery]

Those kits look good. Plus you can buy the parts to make what you want, right from them.,

[MotoCreations]

I've never used any of the above mentioned headlight kits w/relays and direct wiring.  I've always made my own.  Perk is the headlight works MUCH better than stock.  (Definitely worth the effort in doing) The stock Ducati wiring harness is minimal at best in terms of gauge of wiring.  Ground wires are a joke.  If you do plug a 55/100 into your stock harness, check the wiring -- I've seen a few melt in pre-2002 Ducati's. 

Any @ home folks wanting a small sideline business for the evenings -- make the following:

- Above kit for Ducati headlights that plugs easily into the existing harness -- @ three different kits required for the various iterations of wiring harness setups.
- Signal kit to make front/rear lights both work as signal and running lights. (better night visibility)  Stock and LED 2-wire/3-wire setup.

One other note.  I've discovered as of late there is a big difference in quality of relays.  Sometimes the few dollars saved for the cheaper built one isn't worth it.  I'm buying the quality ones now and will never go back.

[Scooter Montgomery]

One other note.  I've discovered as of late there is a big difference in quality of relays.  Sometimes the few dollars saved for the cheaper built one isn't worth it.  I'm buying the quality ones now and will never go back.

I agree. I just upgraded my jeep and bought really nice skirted Bosch waterproof relays and plugs for those relays. I think all in all its like $13 a relay, but very nice indeed. I figure on keeping my Jeep forever so why not, use the good quality stuff.