Hi Ian

My experience of LED headlights isn't fantastic.

I have a re-silvered reflector which has made a difference.

However, with the LEDs on the front you get a lot of bright light, but not much focus.

Everything at the side of the road seems a lot brighter.

I don't know what power they consume, but all I can say is that it is no way near normal filament bulbs.

Regards

Pat

email (option): sacombsashtrees@hotmail.com

I ran a Dave lindsley 12v system 32 years ago. It went kaput somewhere in Italy. It was the long dynamo. Probably not helped by running a 60watt halogen bulb.....

My 1962 Velocette with a 60 watt Lucas 6V dynamo has been running a 12V Boyer regulator for going on 20 years now and I have never had a single problem.

I wonder if where it's set on the motorcycle has a bearing on how long it lasts?

Hello,

As it was mentioned here, a dynamo is a machine which produces
An output voltage depended on it's RPM.
You can get more than 20V, usually out of a 6V dynamo, if turned fast enough,
So there is no problem converting 6V to 12V system.
All the difference is that the regulator allows higher "field" coil voltage,
Which in turn makes the armature "cut" through stronger magnetic field,
Which, in turn, produces higher output voltage.

All you need to do is replacing the regulator-
Electronic or not, but as Ian mentioned,
The down side would be charging in about 30% faster RPM,
So may be useless in town riding, from traffic light to the next one...
(There is an article on "Powerdynamo.biz" website, I believe its on the common Q&A section)
The benefit is ability to find any part you want,
Also, as the voltage is doubled, the current running in the system
Reduces to half for the same wattage so less "voltage drops"/loses at the system.

Regarding a LED head bulb- I have tried that:
When I used a 12V, 6 1/2" original LED "sleeve" - closed reflector,
The lighting was just wonderful !
I will try to find and post a photo, BUT, I failed MOT...
(Just because the tester was, let's say- "not smart")
When I put a LED bulb into the original system, the light was
Bright when looking at it, but it is not focused in any way,
And has no value for night ride.
At the end- I put a LED as a low light bulb and a regular H light bulb,
So when I want to conserve the battery, I use the L,
And when I want to see I use the H...

Noam.