HIGH INTENSITY DISCHAGE (HID)
H4 HEADLIGHT
FOR DUCATI PAUL SMART
This setup is significantly brighter then either the stock PS head light bulb or the PIAA Super Plasma GT-X Bulb.

I have attached a composite of images trying to compare all three head light bulbs. From these images it is hard to tell the difference between the stock and PIAA bulbs but the PIAA bulbs are a bit "hotter" (whiter). The H.I.D. bulbs is MUCH "hotter" (whiter) then either of the other bulbs and a lot brighter. The H.I.D. bulb has wider and higher beam dimensions so head light adjustment will be critical.

This H.I.D. system is the one with 2 discharge lamps inside a H4 housing. One tube provides the low beam function and the other tube provides the high beam function. I was concerned that when switching between high and low beams and especially when "flashing" the high beam that the time for the other discharge lamp to come up to temperature would be a problem. There appears to be NO delay for the other bulb to come to full brightness. I think what is happening is that the lit discharge tube is heating the un-lit discharge tube. The only significant delay is when you first turn on the bike. It takes the system about 3 seconds to come up to full brightness.

I have fabricated a mounting bracket/plate for the high voltage transformer (ballast) box and the igniter box. It is basically a plate that mounts behind the instrument cluster mounting bracket and uses the instrument cluster mounting studs. Some folks have expressed concerns that this mounting bracket/plate may detract from the look of the Paul Smart. In its position behind the instrument cluster, its hardly noticable. I painted the bracket/plate flat black and I am using black metric mounting hardware.

I was considering the single discharge H.I.D. system that uses a solenoid to move the discharge tube between the high and low beam positions BUT there is a space issue given the base of this bulb sticks out a good 2 inches. This would require cutting a hole in the head light cowling/cover. My goal is to have something that is as "plug&play" as possible and I believe that has been achived with this design.

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