For those who put Sealed Beam bulbs in Cobra Aux

[nighthawk700]

I know some folks, like Trip, put a sealed beam bulb (4411, 4411A) in the Cobra Aux lights.

I took my Cobra apart today to see how it would work. When I took the lens off, there are three things around the rim,



I assume there is a way to remove those, take out the lens housing, then put the sealed beam in? Is there a trick to it I missed, because I couldn't seem to pry them off...

Also, the back of the bulbs, how do the leads attach? I think I read somewhere two screws? So I would need something like a ring terminal on the leads?

Thanks

[ringadingh]

Those wire clips usually come out with a pair of needlenose pliers.
The wires will screw on with a ring terminal or a push on as well in most cases.
Isn't a 4411 only 35 watts. I installed some 55 watt like you have in the picture, they made a nice bright difference.

[Top Cat]

I replaced mine just the way Ringadingh said.
I will admit those clips are a pain in the butt. Remember which way they come out. You can get them in backwards and they don't hold very good like that. Yes I know from experience :-[

[nighthawk700]

Where did you get 55 watts? So far I'm only going on info I've been able to find. (I.e. Trip, CJ) Trip also mentioned getting some from J&P, (part # 381-520) but they don't seem to list the wattage...

[trip]

I think they are 35 watt, Louis. I think I originally had 55 watt on the bar.

As Ring and TC adequately explained, those clips are a pain, but can be managed. I used needle nosed pliers to get them out and used a regular flathead screw driver to squeeze them back in. Just watch how they came out and put them back in the same way.

As far as wiring the sealed beams, sealed have two wiring leads as opposed to the one for the non-sealed. The stock ones ground the light through the light bar. The sealed beams have to be grounded separate. So, I took a ring terminal and placed it on the power lead so that it would screw into one bolt on the bulb and then made up a custom wire (about 5 inches long) with a ring terminal on each end for the ground.

I screwed one end of the ground wire to the bulb and ran the other end to the mounting screw at the bottom of the unit. I just slid the ring through the screw as I was putting the bulb and housing back on the light unit. It will always have contact once you get the mounting screw in good and tight.

[ringadingh]

I found some 55 watt lamps at Princess Auto, Its just like your Harbour Freight stores. They were only about $5.00 each and came in a black metal housing. I took the bulb & reflectors out and they fit my F&S housing just right.

[nighthawk700]

I'm getting a wiring harness from Eastern Beaver. He said he'd put on ring connectors at the end for me, and it'll have pos/neg connectors. Thanks for all the help folks!!!

[macmac]

If the yellow 35 watts lamps are wired to be on when ever you want, and not on with the mains they work very well in heavy fog. So there is an advantage if you live where there is heavy fog. In order to use them to the best advantage you would need to be able to turn off the mains of course.

[trip]

Believe it or not, I have found through experience that running amber running lights gets you noticed more. I even have drivers think I'm a cop and move over for me.

[blowndodge]

I kind of thought you looked like Barney Fife

[macmac]

Trip I thought you were a cop???? I hear ya though, as even I get mistaken for a state trooper in nh because of a silver helmet and the green and gold tone which is state colors..

[trip]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

I kind of thought you looked like Barney Fife

That's me BD......one-bullet Barney. LOL. By trade, no, I'm not a cop Mac, but people think I am running down the road.

Most of our motorcycle cops in Texas wear black and the bikes are black with white. When I have my leathers on, I can run down a major highway and hear all the chatter on the CB about a moto cop coming.

I finally figured out they were talking about me.

[strobe]

Originally Posted by Trip

That's me BD......one-bullet Barney. LOL. By trade, no, I'm not a cop Mac, but people think I am running down the road.

Most of our motorcycle cops in Texas wear black and the bikes are black with white. When I have my leathers on, I can run down a major highway and hear all the chatter on the CB about a moto cop coming.

I finally figured out they were talking about me.

LOL...likely makes for an easier ride, everyone pulling out of the way or at least being extra careful :)

[rewindgy]

Trip - I been running those Amber spots on my Drifter since 2002, and I gotta agree - with them being Amber you do get noticed more! The Cobra clear spots on the Nomad seem to drivers to be invisible! I got a set of Ambers on order up here in Kancuk Land but for some reason they are all back ordered? I forgot to pick up a set @ J & P when I was in Sturgis last year so my bad! I am a little pissed as I checked the price and they appear to have gone way up? I paid $18 bucks for the pair in 2002 and now they are almos $20 bucks each. WTH?

[nighthawk700]

I just picked up a pair of clear 4411s at Advance Auto Parts, (Sylvian I think) just so I'll have something for now. Will switch them out for Amber when I get ambers.