Ok to hold flash-to-pass?

[egleaves_imp]

It’s that time of year again. I leave work just before dusk and ride 45 minutes straight into deer country to get home. I’m very disappointed in my CB’s high beam. It lights up the shoulders nicely, but leaves a dark spot on the road in front of me. Seems like the low beam is just the opposite.

The high/low switch does what you would expect, but when in high, flash-to-pass (FTP) doesn’t respond because FTP momentarily activates the high beam that is already on. When in low and using FTP I am actually lighting both bulbs simultaneously creating a pattern of light that the high beams alone can’t produce.

Aside from putting extra hours on the bulbs, is there any danger of frying electronics or overheating something? I’m only doing this for the last 5-10 minutes of my ride, mostly due to traffic. Doing this lights my way very well and makes it easy to deactivate the brights for oncoming cars. Just let go!

[GoldOxide_imp]

I have been doing this since '14. Sure, it gets hotter inside the lamp casing, however, you'd think it would be engineered to handle it. You will draw more power from the battery, but that should not be a problem either, unless your battery and/or your charging circuit is weak.

[SportsterDoc]

With a standard H4, holding FTP adds 60 or 65 watts to the lighting circuit or 4.2 amps at 14.3 volts. I would not expect a stator loading issue unless you are also using a lot of heated gear/auxiliary lighting. Note: the stator is not a high output unit, compared to some EFI bikes.

Possible issue is shortened H4 life and over heating the connector to the H4. Might want to inspect connector for any signs of melting. I know of a few H-D riders running 100 watt H4s who melted the connector just on low beam.

BTW, I do the same on my truck on some areas of the 8 mile dirt road/Jeep trail to my ranch. Usually less than 1 minute at a time.

[kennyw]

I would also consider upgrading your bulb to one with more light output and a better pattern. They are relatively cheap.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

I would also consider upgrading your bulb to one with more light output and a better pattern. They are relatively cheap.

Link?

[ohiorider_imp]

With a standard H4, holding FTP adds 60 or 65 watts to the lighting circuit or 4.2 amps at 14.3 volts. I would not expect a stator loading issue unless you are also using a lot of heated gear/auxiliary lighting. Note: the stator is not a high output unit, compared to some EFI bikes.

Possible issue is shortened H4 life and over heating the connector to the H4. Might want to inspect connector for any signs of melting. I know of a few H-D riders running 100 watt H4s who melted the connector just on low beam.

BTW, I do the same on my truck on some areas of the 8 mile dirt road/Jeep trail to my ranch. Usually less than 1 minute at a time.

Going back a couple of years (actually to 1988,) I replaced the K75S' 55/60 H4 headlight bulb with a 55/100, as I recall. I ran this setup for a few months with no issues. The alternator on this bike was rated at 460w.

I'd just ridden out to Greensburg, PA, to have a chat with Gary and Craig, the owners of Heritage BMW. As I prepared to head for home, smoke came pouring from under the small fairing. We wheeled it into their shop, and found that the bulb socket had broken into multiple pieces due to the heat of the high beam. Luckily, the wiring harness was unharmed, and replacing the socket (and ditching the high output bulb) cured the problem.

Bob

[Nortoon_imp]

Maybe the 2017 CB1100 EX LED headlights are the answer. Less power required and very little heat. I don't ride in the dark, so others will have to comment on its brightness.

[Houtman_imp]

I did replace the H4 lights in my 13 and 14 with the best Sylvania bulbs, Philips also has better than stock bulbs available.
Just Google for better H4 lights.

[egleaves_imp]

Thanks, all. I had a feeling that it's ok to do this, but I always appreciate hearing the real world experiences of others. FWIW, it's also cold out when I'm riding in the dark so that should help with any overheating issues.

[kennyw]

I would also consider upgrading your bulb to one with more light output and a better pattern. They are relatively cheap.

Link?

Link?
Any auto parts store can help you with an H4 upgrade.