replacement bulbs for lighting systems

[Z]

I've heard that you can get replacement halogen bulbs (for lighting systems) for way cheaper at Home Depot - does anyone have the scoop on that?

Also, I am about to get a new NiteRider HID system, and the list price for new bulbs is $80 (ouch) but I've heard that you can find them for $40. But I have no idea where. Does anyone know?

Thanks!

[splat]

Doesn't nite rider Just use standard MR-11 Bulbs ? Just take a bulb to a lighting store I bet they will have it or can order it.

[fatire]

Hi Z,
As I'm sure you're aware you DEFINATEL can NOT use just any standard bulb for the NR HID.
I have one and here's what i know about the bulbs:
1) they are more fragile then other NR's, treat the light head like an egg!
2) NR's warranty is only 90 days, and that ain't long on a $400 lite!
3) NR folks admitted to me (early summer) that they had "issues" with some of the production runs of bulbs (made by a vendor) and had trouble keeping up with demand for replacements
4) the initial retail price was like $70, then they went down to like $45 for a while,now I guess they're back up to $80.
5) I was able to get one for $45 direct frm NR when I complained last summer

I guess NR isn't makin enough on the sales price of the light so they want to make money on the replacement bulbs!

[Z]

Thanks for the info!

I also read somewhere that with the HID, if you turn the light off, you should wait a good 10 minutes until the bulb cools before switching it on again. Otherwise you reduce the life of the bulb. Meaning turning the light off during stops on a ride is not a good idea.

Has anyone else heard this? Most people don't seem to know that. And if it's true, it's probably advice worth heeding when a new bulb is $80!!! Yikes!

[fatire]

I have not heard this and am troubled by its imlications if true. where did you hear this? might be worth a call to NR although depending on the day, time, exact phase of the moon, i'm not sure i would get a factual answe!

[Z]

I think I read it on mtbr, but I just sent Niterider an email and I'll let you know if when hear back!

Anyone else heard about this?

[fatire]

cool, thanks.

[If_Rider]

According to the Ad in MountainBike, Solarc provides the lamps for NR's HID lights. The following is from their FAQ on their website:

Q. Are their any special considerations regarding the operation of Solarc™ bike lights?

A. You should always follow all the manufacturers instructions carefully. However, there are a couple of important points to note. Solarc™ lamps take a little time to warm up to full brightness. This depends on wattage; higher wattage lamps taking longer. If Solarc™ lamps are turned off, you should wait until they cool before attempting to re-strike them. Switching any lamp on and off repeatedly will shorten it’s life. This is particularly so for Solarc™ lamps.

http://www.solarc.net/docs/bikefaqs.html

[SloMoJo]

I have been using this light from Light & Motion.
They put some clever features into this light.
One of which is "soft start" to address this strain on the bulb you guys mention. It's only my first season with it, but I'm pleased. It's light as a feather. Cost me $230 with turbo charger and all.

http://www.bikelights.com/Products/CabezaLogic.htm#

I lean toward getting bulb from light manufacturer to ensure proper working. Those woods sure are dark with no light, eh?

[johnbryanpeters]

Soft start is a Good Thing for bulbs with filaments.

It's inapplicable to HIDs because they're an arc light. Turning a HID on costs you a much more significant chunk of its life than a filament bulb with or without soft start.

J

[Z]

By the way, I just bought the new HID light despite warnings. All this talk about the life of the HIDs makes me nervous.

But I have to say this light ROCKS in terms of brightness!

I've only used it a couple of times commuting home and there's no comparison. Cars were FLASHING THEIR BRIGHTS at me! I felt way safer. Haven't tried them in the woods yet.

[pk]

Indeed, HID lights are AWESOME!

The only folks who hate them are the one's who don't have them (yet), cuz they outshine other lighting systems and create shadows in front of the folks HID users are riding behind.

Since the battery lasts FOUR hours (!), there is no need to turn them off.... and you shouldn't. The only real bummer about this is that if you stop to catch a nice moonlit vista, the light sort of ruins the experience.

Cold weather doesn't seem to affect the battery. We rode last night in 15 degree weather and had no problem, whereas some of the other systems were getting pretty weak even after just 1.5 hours.

pk

[CouchingTiger]

I have the older dual beam 12v digital NiteRider w/ the NiCad battery. I consistently get 2 hours out of it using it mainly on low beam but occasionally on high/dual beam. Low is 12w high is 20w combined is 32w.

We were out last night for 2 hours in the cold and I didn't run out of light. My battery was just about dead, but not there yet. The nice thing about that light is you can get bulbs at Home Depot (the 20w at least) for $5/ea. Mine also tends to just work and is on its 5th season I believe.

I think the 6v single beam NiteRiders have a max burn of 2hrs. That was the specific model that ran dry last night.

-Couch

[splat]

Well Due to the Nature of Ni-cad's, Li-Ion nad NiMH, that they will actually run longer and Better in Cold weather ! Heat is there ememy.

as For HID systems , I don't have one , But they do look very Nice :) I would love to get more info on how to make my own ! ( see the thead about home made systems )

also About Bulbs, check the Christmas Displays, they have all sorts of different bulbs, pretty cheap too! . I picked up 2 mr-11 Halogen Spot lights a 6v 5 watt , and a 12 10 watt for $1.99 each !

My Ni-cad Packs are over 12 years old and most of them just keep charging and Discharging ! Treated right , the batteries will last a long time ! ( most of the time it is over charging that Kills rechargable batteries )

[hogboy]

I have a NiteRider blowtorch HID like PK, and

what's this noise about waiting to restrike the lamp ?

here is the skinny: you -may- need to wait 10 /seconds/ to let the ballast drain out, if you try to restrike a lamp that has just been switched off hot, then the lamp will light right back up. it has nothing to do with the temperature of the bulb as much as it has to do with the voltage draining in the ballast. you may need to hold the button down for 3 seconds after the 10 second wait for the light to 'catch' after that, the light runs long time

that is about it. I have crashed into the ground and the lamp didn't bust, although looking at it, you know to take extra dooper care with it because the plasma core is a thin tube.

and the run times are awesome. 4 no-******** hours. also when the battery does drain out, the lamp doesn't just cut out because of a voltage drop and the plasma breaks. this light gradually dims over a 20 minute period naturally, giving you warning that you need to bail out. only when it is extra dim (which is -still- brighter than dim mode on a normal light) then it will switch off

the battery cannot ever be drained 100% because the plasma finally snaps before you drain the entire batt. it is as though this system is kinder to batteries.