Second post, and QUICK and EASY MOD to HID from Cyclops Hand Held

[JohnnyAirtime]

All right fellas, I think you'll all agree I've got the bug, and it shows.
I just so happen to have a CostCo "Cyclops" in my truck, that I lost the 110V charger for the internal battery. So it too, had been sitting and not being used (I know, how could i?! )

I'm sure you all know this light... it's the H4 bulbed 100w/130w that has two side mount switches for low and high beam. Labeled "Cyclops Independently switched, as well as BOTH at the same time capable (power draw? Naaa! lol!)

I happen to have plenty of HID components laying around, and decided to tackle it this AM. And I tell ya, it was one of the EASIEST modifications to just about anything, I've ever done.

I removed the dead battery, and put it on my trickle charger. To see if it's any good. Not that it'll give me any "run" time for the HID, but it's a start.

Oddly, the fusing mechanism on the battery is of horrible design. It couldn't be any flimsier ... as one pull and I nearly broke the link to the battery term. I plan on upgrading this when I re-install the battery

Here's the H4 Halogen mounted in the reflector, pretty basic;

WHY such an 'easy' mod? Well the internals behind the reflector (which was 4 screws to get off - super simple) have left room for two slim ballasts, 2 igniters, and wiring. I mean, PLENTY of room. You could park a bus in there (okay, not really... but you get the idea). Before MOD:

And instead of them using a standard H4 connector, simple female spades were used. Makes my life even easier as I don't have to remove spades from inside the typical H4 connector (can this get any easier?!)

So to give you an idea of the bulb I'm to use, I took pictures of it with the low beam shield on, and off and then I mounted the Dual HID into the housing, with no shield. I don't plan on using this to drive down the road... so no low beam "cutoff" is needed.

It mounted up so easily... it was almost a questionable thing. Like, again... I was asking myself... "how could this be so easy?!"

And it sitting patiently... waiting to be juiced up;

I simply took my connections from the old H4 Halogen, and connected them up to the male spades I crimped onto the connectors for the ballasts (I know, it'd be so much cleaner with a tad bit of heat shrink... but hey, I'm too excited to see this thing light up. And, it's all inside... so no worries). Another whopping 5min of my time;

I dropped in, two slim ballasts, and the two igniters.... somewhat routed the wiring to leave room for the deep reflector housing. However, after measuring... I still had 2" at the back of the bulb of clearance, let alone all the areas around the conical shape. Easy peasy;

And wha - la... another HID project completed;

If I get some time this weekend, I'll take some pictures of the beam pattern and throw. I did check it against my garage door inside the garage... and OH MY GAWD your in for a real treat!!! The bulb isn't as focused as I'd like it to be, but when you get this much light... WHO CARES! Because, low beam gives you a flood pattern... and high beam gives you a spot. Turn them both on... and it's incredible. I mean, just incredible.

.... I'm waiting patiently for it to get dark.

 

[Patriot]

Very creative! Like you said, you're not going to have that pin point focus with two bulbs but you're producing a lot of lumens. Looking forward to the beamshots.


P.S. There's a spec of dust on your light....

 

[JohnnyAirtime]

Very creative! Like you said, you're not going to have that pin point focus with two bulbs but you're producing a lot of lumens. Looking forward to the beamshots.


P.S. There's a spec of dust on your light....

Dust... heck, it gives it style... character...
(I actually used to use these lights in the desert and since have stored them just about anywhere. They get no love... and are always dusty. I guess I could have cleaned them up before show time )

And you missed the bug splatter on the light's face. I need to get out some windex, or plastic polish (at minimum, my favorite - Brillianize) and clean these things up (the two lights I mod'd in the last two days)

I have a feeling, the lack of focus will be made up in lumens (like you said). As I have the Lectro for the spot, and a Stanley 3000 which seems it's going to be right in the middle of the three lights (Cyclops, Stanley, and Lectro) for the pattern.

Anyone know what two 35W HIDs produce in 4300K, in the amount of lumens??? (when both powered on)


... stay tuned!

 

[Patriot]

Dust... heck, it gives it style... character...
(I actually used to use these lights in the desert and since have stored them just about anywhere. They get no love... and are always dusty. I guess I could have cleaned them up before show time )

nah....it's cool looking.

Anyone know what two 35W HIDs produce in 4300K, in the amount of lumens??? (when both powered on)

Between 6000-6400 lumens if drive to spec.

 

[JohnnyAirtime]

Well....

I did some tests, and found the Cyclops with a dual HID to be a failure.
... it's beam(s) were so misconstrued, so lacking in focus... it wasn't even worthy of posting a beam shot. Seriously, I couldn't even get it to focus with a good 15 minute try. Or if I could get it to focus, it would wash out the other HID too much and make it near worthless.

What it looked like was a round pattern, with pie shapes cut out of it. Kind of odd, but it made the beam look awkward. I'm assuming I could have back spaced it with a stack of washers and shortened the length of the bulb in the reflector, but I didn't have the patience tonight.

What I did do, is put a 4300K H3 bulb in, and spaced it with two washers. It's even the short version of H3.... and it needed the two washers to focus somewhat, and give me a little bit of a wider beam than a simple spot.

Here's the H3 mounted in the reflector;

Another day, I'll play around with dual-hid in the one Cyclops reflector, and maybe those days I'll play with mod'ing the ballast(s).

 

[Patriot]

I sure enjoy these experimentation projects as the benefit the cumulative knowledge base at CPF. I've heard this talked about in the past but never seen it. I don't consider it a failure at all, but a great learning experience...at least for me.


I you get the chance and wouldn't mind resizing these pictures as well that would be much appreciated by admin as well as dial up users. The ones in your other thread look great btw. Thanks for posting these. :thumbsup: