PIAA Replacement Bulbs
lennyb
Posted 2012-02-18 6:30 AM (#108012)
Subject: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Iron Butt

Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD
I have to replace one of the bulbs in my PIAA auxiliary lights. A previous post here advises to use PIAA 55 watt Dichronic bulb # 15352. That does not appear to be the correct bulb style. As I kept looking for information and prices ($54 to $70 from Victory) I found an interesting but dated discussion on a BMW forum (http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=252504).

Members there have been removing the front lens from the PIAA lamp (count your fingers before and after) and then sealing it to the front of a $6 MR16 halogen bulb available at most hardware stores. Concerns are light intensity, color, and what dispersion angle (available in 8 to 32 degrees) to use.

If I didn't have $300 invested in these already I would be looking at the LED versions that have been discussed here. Would someone know if there is a way to retrofit the PIAA housing with LED lamps?

My knowledge on the subject is nill, so suggestions are welcome.
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Lotzafun
Posted 2012-02-18 9:29 AM (#108019 - in reply to #108012)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Iron Butt

Posts: 935
Rockford, IL
I say go for it. Doesn't look to difficult at all.

And it saves some fairly decent $$

Clickable link...... http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&N...
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Lotzafun
Posted 2012-02-18 9:35 AM (#108021 - in reply to #108012)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Iron Butt

Posts: 935
Rockford, IL
Heck... it appears you can even get the MR16 bulbs in LED.

Even "high power" LED !!!!

Or COLOR CHANGING !!!! Just imagine the trouble these would trigger with the LEO

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispP...
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lennyb
Posted 2012-02-18 9:44 AM (#108022 - in reply to #108021)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Iron Butt

Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD
Went for it and the PIAA front lens shattered. Probably made a mistake using a heat gun to soften the adhesive.

DAHHHH!
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cchristo
Posted 2012-02-18 10:06 AM (#108025 - in reply to #108019)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Tourer

Posts: 337
san antonio, tx
Lotzafun - 2012-02-18 9:29 AM

I say go for it. Doesn't look to difficult at all.

And it saves some fairly decent $$

Clickable link...... http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&N...

Hmmmm. That link just caused me to gain a whole lot more respect for the Beamer community!

Love that kind of stuff!
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Trekwolf164
Posted 2012-02-18 11:54 AM (#108031 - in reply to #108012)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Iron Butt

Posts: 965
New York State
Great link

Thanks for the info
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RedRider
Posted 2012-02-18 8:42 PM (#108069 - in reply to #108012)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Visionary

Posts: 1350
These are the bulbs PIAA told me to use on my Vision?
PIAA 70856 H4 Xtreme White Antivibration 60/55 Watt = 110/100 Watt Bulb - Pair
$73.37 a pair at Amazon.
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sonicbluerider
Posted 2012-02-18 8:54 PM (#108071 - in reply to #108012)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Tourer

Posts: 576
, IA
Theirs a online store out of san diago calif. that has them for a good price
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lennyb
Posted 2012-02-19 4:48 PM (#108118 - in reply to #108069)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Iron Butt

Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD
RedRider - 2012-02-18 9:42 PM

These are the bulbs PIAA told me to use on my Vision?
PIAA 70856 H4 Xtreme White Antivibration 60/55 Watt = 110/100 Watt Bulb - Pair
$73.37 a pair at Amazon.


The PIAA auxiliary lights that mount on the forks won't take the H4 bulb. I'm guessing that they meant to use them as replacement headlamp bulbs.
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RedRider
Posted 2012-02-22 3:58 PM (#108323 - in reply to #108012)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Visionary

Posts: 1350
My bad. I was thinking headlights and missed you said aux lights.
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Double Vision
Posted 2012-02-22 6:36 PM (#108331 - in reply to #108012)
Subject: RE: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Cruiser

Posts: 281
lennyb - 2012-02-18 7:30 AM


If I didn't have $300 invested in these already I would be looking at the LED versions that have been discussed here.


The price of my Clearwater LED running lights was offset by the cost of the frequent replacement of the PIAA bulbs. One of the best decisions I ever made.

Good luck!
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Mudge
Posted 2012-02-22 9:23 PM (#108346 - in reply to #108069)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Tourer

Posts: 354
20 miles west of Chicago.
RedRider - 2012-02-18 8:42 PM

These are the bulbs PIAA told me to use on my Vision?
PIAA 70856 H4 Xtreme White Antivibration 60/55 Watt = 110/100 Watt Bulb - Pair
$73.37 a pair at Amazon.


I used these in my Vision headlight twice. They burned out in two months or less. I thought the first time was a fluke; they looked real good on paper. I replaced the last set with some off the shelf, no-name H-4's from my dealer. They have lasted two years.
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ridenfun
Posted 2012-02-23 12:21 AM (#108360 - in reply to #108346)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Cruiser

Posts: 63
Calgary, AB,

Seems even on cager headlights, even at the same wattage, the whiter the color, the shorter the life for some reason.

 

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lennyb
Posted 2012-02-25 8:09 AM (#108572 - in reply to #108012)
Subject: Re: PIAA Replacement Bulbs


Iron Butt

Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD
Well this is my story following my failure at removing the PIAA lens to attach it to a standard MR16 bulb.
I purchased an MR16 12v flood lamp that was on clearance for one cent. Without the PIAA lens I had to fabricate a retainer (2 minutes to cut and grind a pvc plumbing fitting). Fit, appearance, and illumination all very impressive. Went for a ride and the lens that had covered the bulb was gone and the bulb had blown out.

Found a high intensity MR16 LED exterior flood lamp bulb at Lowes for $37. Ponder - really want to try it, but how much does stock replacement bulb cost? Local dealer had 2 PIAA 55w (stock are 35w) replacement bulbs for $35 each. As intrigued as I am with the LEDs I decided not to experiment, and purchased the PIAA lamps. I installed one and compared to the original it is absolutely blinding. FAR brighter and brilliant white light. If these don't last long the LED will be my next purchase.

As previously posted the replacement is PIAA 55w 1100X, Model D-12E, Part # 15352.
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