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Author Topic: X8 250 Headlight Mod Advice Please  (Read 13904 times)
brevav2
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« on: October 09, 2017, 18:30:23 »

Having looked at the various posts on the forum on the subject of improving the lighting on both X8's and X9's, via having the main beam on with the dip. (keeping the dip though with just the one light) The advice is to go with a diode, and fitted (preferably) near the headlight assembly.   

Any recommendations please as to a source of obtaining one? Are these pretty much 'standard' or is there a certain type? or part number/reference?  Any advice too on the fitting of the diode?...Being an 'amateur mechanic' (and a little wary of electrics!), Is this 'simple enough' to fit? or any cutting/splicing of wires required...(and of course finding the 'correct' wires too!.   Lastly....It looks like an upgrade to a 10amp fuse is also recommended too?    Advice gratefully received.  Many Thanks
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Mr.Chips
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« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2017, 21:06:23 »

Have you tried a SEARCH for 'diode'?

I just have and there are many hits for it.

To conduct a SEARCH, always start on the Home Page; if you SEARCH from the section you're in at the time you will get only hits from that section, not the whole forum.

 
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Mike.
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Dave Milnes
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« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2017, 07:25:15 »

The diode needs to be good for 14+ volts but apart from that pretty much any will do. The more over specified it is the cooler it runs as they do get rather warm. This is why fitting it in a place where heat can dissipate is a good idea so don't be tempted to tape it up, just tape or better still shrink wrap the joins.
Another thing to consider is that if you bridge the terminals near the light, you effectively are feeding both bulbs (so total wattage) from the one high beam supply fuse and relay, hence the increase in fuse rating required. Admittedly this is for limited time as you don't use high beam constantly and if anything did blow, the dip would still work to get you home legally.
Fitting the diode around the wiring to the dip switch is better as that will then effectively keep each bulb fed through it's own dedicated circuit and fuse/relay, but then the diode is out of cooling airflow. Swings and roundabouts and your choice. I used the dip switch on my old X9 and used a big chunky zener diode suited to 20V. For diodes try CPC, Maplins RS components etc and you may have to but a pack of 10 rather than individual ones but that also means you could add 2 in parallel to halve the heat each generates.
Read the other search results and see how others have tackled it, the X8 is different from the X9 but the principle is the same.
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brevav2
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« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2017, 14:44:09 »

Sincere thanks for all advice/info supplied. 
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Mr.Chips
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« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2017, 14:55:27 »

 

 
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Mike.
Honda Forza 350 - Adso
NIU GT - HAL
When did you last read the Highway Code?
Now part of the NE England Chapter.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Edmund Burke
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