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Trail Tech HID bulbs cloudy.
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:13 pm
by Tr250Tom
Hello. My Trailtech MR16 HID lights' lenses have clouded over in just 6 months of use. It's a common problem, apparently.
If anyone is thinking of buying a set at over $300, you might want to see what TrailTech tech support has to say first:
"These lights are not designed to be used as daytime running lights. That is why you are seeing the discoloration. The lamps are becoming worn out because of the extra heat that is created while running these in the day time. They are designed for off-road use during the night. I should be able to get these warranted for you but I will not be able to do it another time if the same thing happens."
Justin Yancy
Trail Tech Inc.
Tech Support and Sales Dept.
[email protected]
Ph. 360-687-4530
Fax. 360-687-8164
Re: Trail Tech HID bulbs cloudy.
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:48 pm
by Tr250Tom
More:
Theses lights are designed for off-road night racing. They are not designed to be run for long extended periods of time as it cuts down on the life of the lamp. We may not post on our website that they are not to be used as daytime running lights but our website is based solely around dirt bikes and ATVs. We do not advertize anywhere that these lights are DOT approved and can be used for road use. It is illegal to use these lights on the road. As a daytime running light or for any other purpose.
Justin Yancy
Re: Trail Tech HID bulbs cloudy.
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:43 pm
by AmostThere
One of my TT SC4 HID lights went south after less than 3000 miles. I should have been suspicious of their 3 month warranty...
ps They did cloud up almost immediately.
Re: Trail Tech HID bulbs cloudy.
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 4:35 pm
by Tr250Tom
Mine clouded right up, and now one is yellowish, and the other a normal bright blue, just muted.
These things are just too good to be true; the self-contained ballast creates heat issues, and the units live a short bright life. I can't believe the tech support guy is telling me these are not intended for daytime road bike use. He's the same guy I consulted with before I forked over my $300. He knew they were going on an R1200R.
Sigh. Next stop, PIAA halogen.
Cheers, Tom
Re: Trail Tech HID bulbs cloudy.-me too !
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:22 pm
by ka5ysy
This whole thing sucks.... I have a set of them I purchased from one of their dealers (lumalink) and I can say that they fog up at night after 10 minutes of use. The first thing I thought was that the bulb had cracked internally. It is ignorant of Trail Tech to think that the lamps have any idea whether they are in night or daylight. Besides, even if their off road statement is true, they still will not survive the typical night off-road racing all night.
Today I noticed that one of mine has gone belly up.
I will do a autopsy and see what is the dead part.
Trail Tech is not a good choice for HID. I think that they are having manufacturer problems with the lamps themselves, as I have not seen any other HID's do this. Bummer, as the internal ballast is is great idea. Funny thing is that it is the same assembly as the PIAA version, and they (PIAA) make no reference for "off road use only" in their literature.
Anybody have experience with the PIAA version?
Re: Trail Tech HID bulbs cloudy.
Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:49 am
by AmostThere
PIAA has a lifetime warranty against defects. TrailTech has a 3 month warranty. After one of my TT SC4 HID lamps died (also from LumaLink) I wished I would have done something different. I replaced the SC4s with FF50s since I could mount on the same bracket. Much less $$ but also much less light.
Re: Trail Tech HID bulbs cloudy.
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:06 pm
by Dan-A
If I did not already have Motolights on my R12R I would be looking at these high power LED's. I saw them at a Rally, and they are hecka bright. For those who do not have teens in the house, hecka means really bright.
They also have a dimmer switch which I wish the Motolights had, and a two bolt caliper mount, instead of one.
There is always a downside, they are in the neighborhood of $475.00 for a pair.
http://www.clearwaterlights.com/
I may still buy a set, cause they looked really good, and use very little power, and generate very little heat.
Aaarrrrggghhhh!
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:26 pm
by AmostThere
Dan-A, I don't know if I should say thanks for the info about a light that looks fantastic or AAAARRRGGGHHHH for showing me another $$$$$ goodie that I now think I want
LEDs are the way, the light, the path, the glory, HIDs are old news and will be history for vehicle applications pretty quick.
ClearwaterLights, Inc. is only about 416 miles from me, maybe I can whip up there and see them in person some dark night. Hmmmmmm......