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Post by bigmac on May 26, 2015 13:31:01 GMT -5
My scooter has dual headlights and both light bulbs have low and high beam. One of the bulbs burnt out so I simply wanted to replace it. The original bulb's base was marked "S1 12v 25w/25w". I ordered a new light bulb online listed as a S1 12V 25w/25w headlight bulb for Chinese bikes.
When the bulb arrived, it looked just like the original one and fitted into the headlight socket perfectly. Once I started the bike, I noticed the bulb's high beam was on while the scooter's high beam switch was off and the bulb's low beam was on while the scooter's high beam switch was on.
Metal tabs on the base of the light bulb are sized differently, which makes it impossible to install the bulb flipped around. There is a white wire and blue wire on the light bulb socket that make contact with the backside of the light bulb. I tried to switch the wires around, but they have metal end pieces that connect into the socket and those metal end pieces would need to be torn off of the wires to remove them from the socket, which I don't want to do.
About two weeks later, the light bulb burnt out. I don't know what to do now. I'm sure if I order another light bulb, I will end up with the same problem and more wasted money.
Are some Chinese scooters wired differently at the headlight so different versions of what should be the same headlight bulb are made to accommodate them? Do I need to order a dozen of these bulbs from a dozen different sellers and hope that one of them sends me a bulb that works on my scooter and throw the others in the trash?
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Post by ricardoguitars on May 26, 2015 15:08:55 GMT -5
Light bulbs on bikes have two filaments, one filament is for high beam and the other for low beam, I guess you got a bulb with a single filament.
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Post by geh3333 on May 26, 2015 15:36:38 GMT -5
My scooter has dual headlights and both light bulbs have low and high beam. One of the bulbs burnt out so I simply wanted to replace it. The original bulb's base was marked "S1 12v 25w/25w". I ordered a new light bulb online listed as a S1 12V 25w/25w headlight bulb for Chinese bikes. When the bulb arrived, it looked just like the original one and fitted into the headlight socket perfectly. Once I started the bike, I noticed the bulb's high beam was on while the scooter's high beam switch was off and the bulb's low beam was on while the scooter's high beam switch was on. Metal tabs on the base of the light bulb are sized differently, which makes it impossible to install the bulb flipped around. There is a white wire and blue wire on the light bulb socket that make contact with the backside of the light bulb. I tried to switch the wires around, but they have metal end pieces that connect into the socket and those metal end pieces would need to be torn off of the wires to remove them from the socket, which I don't want to do. About two weeks later, the light bulb burnt out. I don't know what to do now. I'm sure if I order another light bulb, I will end up with the same problem and more wasted money. Are some Chinese scooters wired differently at the headlight so different versions of what should be the same headlight bulb are made to accommodate them? Do I need to order a dozen of these bulbs from a dozen different sellers and hope that one of them sends me a bulb that works on my scooter and throw the others in the trash? If you look at the bottom of the bulb, it has two contacts . the same with the inside of the socket. There is also two ways you can put the bulbs in. I thought about this before, but I'm not sure if I'm correct. You have to have the bulb in the right way or your high beams and low beams will be backwards. Look in the socket and look at the bottom of the bulb. Each has the two contacts but they decided to make the socket so you can insert the bulb the wrong way. I'm pretty sure I'm right about the bulb being in backwards. |
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Post by onewheeldrive on May 26, 2015 15:50:04 GMT -5
I had bulbs like that. The problem is that you can only put the bulb in one way. There are little tabs you have to line up when putting the bulb in-- and the tabs aren't evenly spaced, so you can't just flip it around.
I wound up just dealing with it and ordering bulbs from a different place. When one burned out, I replaced it with one that worked properly-- so for awhile I was riding with one bulb bright and the other bulb dim (and vice-versa), instead of both being dim when supposed to be bright (and vice-versa). That lasted only until I got another pair in the mail.
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Post by geh3333 on May 26, 2015 16:04:59 GMT -5
I had bulbs like that. The problem is that you can only put the bulb in one way. There are little tabs you have to line up when putting the bulb in-- and the tabs aren't evenly spaced, so you can't just flip it around. I wound up just dealing with it and ordering bulbs from a different place. When one burned out, I replaced it with one that worked properly-- so for awhile I was riding with one bulb bright and the other bulb dim (and vice-versa), instead of both being dim when supposed to be bright (and vice-versa). That lasted only until I got another pair in the mail. Your right. One tab is a little wider then the other . I have th old builds and sockets in front of me . I cut them out and replaced them with h4 bulbs. Worked great , bit I can only run one at a time . one is much brighter then both stock bulbs !! |
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Post by onewheeldrive on May 26, 2015 16:07:38 GMT -5
I thought about cutting the alignment tabs off, but never tried it.
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Sophomore Rider
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Post by bigmac on May 27, 2015 14:05:20 GMT -5
This bulb does have two filaments. Right now its out when low beam is on, but comes on when high beam is on. I can see a blackish, bluish color on the inside of the bulb from one of its burnt out filaments.
If the wider tab was cut off, then I think it could be installed the other way. But the tabs are what lock the bulb tightly into the socket, so it could be loose afterwards.
I found a seller on Amazon with a pair of headlight bulbs that look like my original bulbs. A picture on the webpage shows a bulb with markings on the base that match the markings on my original bulbs. Though that doesn't make me feel very confident, since I've never ordered a Chinese scooter part and received exactly what was pictured.
Perhaps I will order these bulbs and hope they work.
While looking on Amazon, I saw a bulb for Chinese bikes with a one star review. The review said the bulb lasted one day and high was low and low was high. It's no wonder why bike shops and dealers don't want to touch these things. It would be funny if they did though.
Bike owner: Is my bike ready?
Shop mechanic: No.
Bike owner: Why not? I just need a bulb replaced.
Shop mechanic: Well, the bulb I got isn't right, so I need to get another.
Bike owner: You screwed up and got the wrong bulb?
Shop mechanic: No. I got the right bulb. Just not the right kind of the right bulb.
Bike owner: ?
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Post by geh3333 on May 28, 2015 8:37:55 GMT -5
This bulb does have two filaments. Right now its out when low beam is on, but comes on when high beam is on. I can see a blackish, bluish color on the inside of the bulb from one of its burnt out filaments. If the wider tab was cut off, then I think it could be installed the other way. But the tabs are what lock the bulb tightly into the socket, so it could be loose afterwards. I found a seller on Amazon with a pair of headlight bulbs that look like my original bulbs. A picture on the webpage shows a bulb with markings on the base that match the markings on my original bulbs. Though that doesn't make me feel very confident, since I've never ordered a Chinese scooter part and received exactly what was pictured. Perhaps I will order these bulbs and hope they work. While looking on Amazon, I saw a bulb for Chinese bikes with a one star review. The review said the bulb lasted one day and high was low and low was high. It's no wonder why bike shops and dealers don't want to touch these things. It would be funny if they did though. Bike owner: Is my bike ready? Shop mechanic: No. Bike owner: Why not? I just need a bulb replaced. Shop mechanic: Well, the bulb I got isn't right, so I need to get another. Bike owner: You screwed up and got the wrong bulb? Shop mechanic: No. I got the right bulb. Just not the right kind of the right bulb. Bike owner: ? Lol , that's a good one ! |
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Post by steve on May 29, 2015 10:33:49 GMT -5
You could put male and female blade connectors on the wires, and connect the white wire from the switch to the blue wire going to the bulb, and the opposite with the other 2. This should correct it. Then, just switch them back when you get a bulb that works.
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Post by geh3333 on May 29, 2015 13:03:12 GMT -5
You could put male and female blade connectors on the wires, and connect the white wire from the switch to the blue wire going to the bulb, and the opposite with the other 2. This should correct it. Then, just switch them back when you get a bulb that works. Yeah , that's really all that would be necessary. Just cut the high and low beam wires reverse them and splice back together. |
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Post by bigmac on Jun 9, 2015 17:47:53 GMT -5
I took a risk and ordered those headlight bulbs on Amazon. Luckily, the the high and low beam works correctly on these bulbs. I installed just one to do a side-by-side comparison with the still good bulb and the level of brightness appeared the same.
Since they came in a set of two, I installed them together and set the original bulb that still works aside as a backup.
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