The Quest for Better Lighting

**Rsquared** · 08-13-2012, 10:27 PM

Installed a new DDM HID and two Rigid 2X2 LED’s on a Black Dog mount.

That's Better...

**Tourmeister** · 08-14-2012, 12:03 AM

Are the LEDs all the time or switched?

**Rsquared** · 08-14-2012, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

Are the LEDs all the time or switched?

Switched for now. I may end up controling them with the dimmer circuit.

Plane Dr · 08-14-2012, 06:52 AM

The DDM kit is an amazing difference. I added one (35W kit) to both the DRZ and the GS. I added monsterADV LED's to the GS as well. They were only the 10w but they are very nice....

**Gravel Guy** · 08-14-2012, 08:58 AM

Can you gents provide a link? There's a million DDM hid sites out there!
Thanks.

**Rsquared** · 08-14-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravel Guy

Can you gents provide a link? There's a million DDM hid sites out there!
Thanks.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Product-Cat...-Kits-Lighting

**Gravel Guy** · 08-14-2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rsquared

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Product-Cat...-Kits-Lighting

Thanks Roger!

EncoreJoe · 08-15-2012, 08:41 PM

I've had the DDM HID on my triumph tiger over a year with no problems. It's a great upgrade!

Plane Dr · 08-19-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EncoreJoe

I've had the DDM HID on my triumph tiger over a year with no problems. It's a great upgrade!

3 years on the DRZ 5-6000 miles, 2 on the GS 9-10000 miles.

hizzo3 · 08-19-2012, 10:23 PM

Are those rigid the duallys? How do you like the light output? I've been wanting to put some amber's on my strom. Curious about this dimmer though. Standard PWM dimmer?

On a side note, been looking at hid projectors for a retro fit. I really want switchable ballasts, 35/50's and tie the 50 mode only into the high beam circuit. Any ideas? Saw some modding their own ballasts, just not sure how that will hold up on a rough ride. Last thing I want is lights failing.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**Rsquared** · 08-20-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hizzo3

Are those rigid the duallys? How do you like the light output? I've been wanting to put some amber's on my strom. Curious about this dimmer though. Standard PWM dimmer?

On a side note, been looking at hid projectors for a retro fit. I really want switchable ballasts, 35/50's and tie the 50 mode only into the high beam circuit. Any ideas? Saw some modding their own ballasts, just not sure how that will hold up on a rough ride. Last thing I want is lights failing.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

The Rigid are the 2x2's. While they do add to the overall lighting, the really major improvement came from the HID's. My future plan now is to move the 2x2's to my 450 and add a set of Rigid dually's to my 990 in hopes of gaining more light off to each side. The switch I used was the rocker unit that came with the Rigid. PWM...pulse-width-modulation??? Not sure I understand. The quality of the Rigid lights are top shelf.

As for the HID, mine are single lamp hi/lo, so either 30 or 50 watt, but not both since it's a single ballast, to my understanding. While I haven't had any problem with my HID's, a friend of mine has. After talking to DDM about the problem, I believe they will warranty any problem found. So I'm sure we'll get it resolved once we have a chance to look at it. DDM also informed me riding off-road won't be a problem.

hizzo3 · 08-20-2012, 06:33 PM

Sorry thought you already had a dimmer on them. From what I've heard, dimmers don't work with them. What beam pattern did you go with on the 2x2's? Since you have a hid on there now, what do you recommend in regards to a beam pattern for the rigids? I like their overall construction. I want to make sure what ever I spend $ on compliments in terms of beam patterns for both on and off road use.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**Rsquared** · 08-20-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hizzo3

Sorry thought you already had a dimmer on them. From what I've heard, dimmers don't work with them. What beam pattern did you go with on the 2x2's? Since you have a hid on there now, what do you recommend in regards to a beam pattern for the rigids? I like their overall construction. I want to make sure what ever I spend $ on compliments in terms of beam patterns for both on and off road use.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I purchased the Rigid's from Black Dog and they recommended the spot pattern over the flood since the led's have a natural wash to them. The 2x2 spots really reach out well, but don't do alot to enhance any width to the overall lighting. That's the reason I plan to replace them with the dually's. According to Black Dog, the 2x2's can be used as running lights during the day without being too bright for oncoming traffic, whereas the dually's would be. When I buy the dually's, I plan to get the driving beam based on a test done by Enduro 360.

http://www.enduro360.com/2012/01/21/...ight-review-2/

hizzo3 · 08-20-2012, 09:41 PM

Thanks for the link! Awesome review. I wonder if I get one of their lenses covers in clear and frosted it if that would make it more running light safe... hmm.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**Rsquared** · 08-21-2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hizzo3

Thanks for the link! Awesome review. I wonder if I get one of their lenses covers in clear and frosted it if that would make it more running light safe... hmm.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Give the folks at Black Dog a call, they use these lights and can probably answer any application questions you have.

http://blackdogcw.com/

John Dirt · 08-21-2012, 09:37 PM

I have been researching better lighting lately, glad I found this thread. Thanks for all the links Roger.

hizzo3 · 08-22-2012, 10:19 AM

I found someone with a 5 setting variable hid ballast, 30w to 50w outputs. I plan a projector retrofit, so that just adds to the quest for better lighting.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**Rsquared** · 08-22-2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hizzo3

I found someone with a 5 setting variable hid ballast, 30w to 50w outputs. I plan a projector retrofit, so that just adds to the quest for better lighting.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Link?

hizzo3 · 08-22-2012, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rsquared

Link?

Sorry.

http://retro-solutions.net/product-i...ST-pid674.html

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Downs · 08-23-2012, 02:11 AM

www.advmonster.com

08-13-2012, 10:27 PM	#1
Rsquared Forum Supporter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tx Posts: 573	The Quest for Better Lighting Installed a new DDM HID and two Rigid 2X2 LED’s on a Black Dog mount. That's Better... __________________ Roger Kronreif Trunkenpolz Mattighofen

08-14-2012, 06:52 AM	#4
Plane Dr Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Colony Posts: 713	Re: The Quest for Better Lighting The DDM kit is an amazing difference. I added one (35W kit) to both the DRZ and the GS. I added monsterADV LED's to the GS as well. They were only the 10w but they are very nice.... __________________ 2001 DRZ470SSW SM/Dirt Rolling Experiment 2005 R1200GS AKA The Mothership 2003 Z1000 Nuclear Pumpkin (gone to a good home) 1986 RG500 WW Gamma (gone to a good home)

08-14-2012, 08:58 AM	#5
Gravel Guy Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: T'orndale! Posts: 5,082	Re: The Quest for Better Lighting Can you gents provide a link? There's a million DDM hid sites out there! Thanks. __________________ "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian!" ~ Henry Ford ~ ----------------------------------------------- Mark East of Wierd, Texas

08-15-2012, 08:41 PM	#8
EncoreJoe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lavaca County Posts: 116	I've had the DDM HID on my triumph tiger over a year with no problems. It's a great upgrade! __________________ ---------- Joe "Ride, boldly ride ... if you seek for Eldorado!" 2010 Tiger 1050 2006 XR650L

08-19-2012, 10:23 PM	#10
hizzo3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,538	Are those rigid the duallys? How do you like the light output? I've been wanting to put some amber's on my strom. Curious about this dimmer though. Standard PWM dimmer? On a side note, been looking at hid projectors for a retro fit. I really want switchable ballasts, 35/50's and tie the 50 mode only into the high beam circuit. Any ideas? Saw some modding their own ballasts, just not sure how that will hold up on a rough ride. Last thing I want is lights failing. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 __________________ "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" - Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt DL1000K6, VN750A20

08-20-2012, 06:33 PM	#12
hizzo3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,538	Sorry thought you already had a dimmer on them. From what I've heard, dimmers don't work with them. What beam pattern did you go with on the 2x2's? Since you have a hid on there now, what do you recommend in regards to a beam pattern for the rigids? I like their overall construction. I want to make sure what ever I spend $ on compliments in terms of beam patterns for both on and off road use. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 __________________ "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" - Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt DL1000K6, VN750A20

08-20-2012, 09:41 PM	#14
hizzo3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,538	Thanks for the link! Awesome review. I wonder if I get one of their lenses covers in clear and frosted it if that would make it more running light safe... hmm. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 __________________ "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" - Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt DL1000K6, VN750A20

08-21-2012, 09:37 PM	#16
John Dirt Join Date: May 2005 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 360	Re: The Quest for Better Lighting I have been researching better lighting lately, glad I found this thread. Thanks for all the links Roger. __________________ 2002 DRZ400E 2012 DL650AL2

08-22-2012, 10:19 AM	#17
hizzo3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,538	I found someone with a 5 setting variable hid ballast, 30w to 50w outputs. I plan a projector retrofit, so that just adds to the quest for better lighting. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 __________________ "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" - Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt DL1000K6, VN750A20

08-23-2012, 02:11 AM	#20
Downs Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: MCAS MIRAMAR Posts: 1,958	Re: The Quest for Better Lighting www.advmonster.com __________________ 04 Weestrom (DL650) 07 BMW F800ST (On the chopping block) 98 DR350SE 78 GS1000 (Tennessee Hillbilly)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode