Light guard and HID's

['Nuffsaid]

I was thinking of putting a TT Wire Light guard over the headlight of the GSA12 (with HID's) - I seem to remember something about not having anything in front of HID lamps - am I remembering right? Has anyone got a protector over their HID's, and if so what effect has it had if any ..........?

 

[Les Wassall]

Cannot see any problem, as the HID is not as hot as a halogen, my light has got something over it, CRAP lots of it

 

['Nuffsaid]

I REMEMBER...............

It was the regulations for cars that prompted this - they have to come with self washing sustem, and when I asked why, I was told that dirt on the lens created hotspots - is that the case, and if it was - wouldnt the same be true of a metal grid?

 

[ovenpaa]

It was the regulations for cars that prompted this - they have to come with self washing sustem, and when I asked why, I was told that dirt on the lens created hotspots - is that the case, and if it was - wouldnt the same be true of a metal grid?

My HID does not seem to get very hot and I have a plastic TT protector in front (1150GSA) with no issues.

 

[Thunder]

It was the regulations for cars that prompted this - they have to come with self washing sustem, and when I asked why, I was told that dirt on the lens created hotspots - is that the case, and if it was - wouldnt the same be true of a metal grid?

But surely if dirt was a problem then not having self washing lights on the bike would cause a problem in itself?

Can't see a problem with the grid type guard as it does not actually touch the glass of the light, from memory there is at least a 1cm gap and air flow wont be an issue.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Hmmm 1200GSA with H.I.D. and Touratech chip basket headlight cover? That'll be me then
No issues-so far,other than a feint chequered pattern on the road at night

http://humvee.smugmug.com/photos/97145577-M.jpg

 

[Cole]

It was the regulations for cars that prompted this - they have to come with self washing sustem, and when I asked why, I was told that dirt on the lens created hotspots - is that the case, and if it was - wouldnt the same be true of a metal grid?

I believe the reason is that dirt or anothing else on the headlight glass creates more glare, not hotspots (as it disperses light all over the place). The regulations regarding self levelling and self washing (ECE 48) are not for HIDs as such, but rather for ANY light that puts out over 2000 lumens on dipped beam. The same cleaning regs are in place for HIR lamps that put out just over 2000 lumens from a halogen bulb too, and will be the same when LED dipped beams are approved later this year, despite LEDS been cool at the front end and hot as hell at the rear, the opposite of Halogen bulbs.

Therefore, its a light related issue, not a heat related issue.