Headlight switch is reversed

[chicaboo]

Hey boyos,

I went for a night ride tonight and noticed that my low/high beam switch has reversed since installing the new bulbs the other day.
The bulbs are installed correctly with the plug connected correctly. Not that I can see how you could reverse either of these?

Anyhow, I had to ride around with the switch on the high beam setting with the blue dash light illuminated for my regular low beam now.
Does anyone know if generic HS5 bulbs have reversed polarity/wiring from the OEM Honda bulbs?


Gav.

[Alibally]

It's probably the bulbs if they are non standard. Put one of the originals back in if you still have them and they work and if it's OK it's got to be the bulbs.


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[chicaboo]

Oh, it's definitely the bulbs. They are the exact same specification as the OEM bulbs, just a cooler colour temperature.
The only thing whacky in there are the LED position lights, but they are still 5W. I will try swapping them first since it's easy.

[homie]

If it means a bunch of tear down I don't know that I would care. You have the idiot light when high is on, should be running with high beam on during the day anyway and you'd know if you had it on at night. But then maybe I would lay awake at night until I went back in.

[chicaboo]

Where I live it's illegal to have the highbeam on constantly. I'm only allowed to flash the high beam for passing (and telling people off).
I've sent a message to the eBay seller asking WTF is going on. It's probably something simple like Australian headlights are wired upsidedown...

[Mel46]

If all else fails, pull the switch and swap wires. Look up the wire colors in the manual. The wires are probably plug iin types on the switches.

[homie]

If all else fails, pull the switch and swap wires. Look up the wire colors in the manual. The wires are probably plug iin types on the switches.

Mel... you're so darn smart!

[easyrider]

Bulbs have nothing to do with it. The switch only controls power to a circuit and the corresponding blue dash light You may have the circuits reversed or it just may look like they are based on the bulb design??

[Alibally]

Bulbs have nothing to do with it. The switch only controls power to a circuit and the corresponding blue dash light You may have the circuits reversed or it just may look like they are based on the bulb design??

They were OK till the bulbs were changed. What else would it be.


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[easyrider]

Are the bulbs oriented correctly..

[honkerman]

That's funny. Simply a matter of a reversed circuit in the bulb. Tbh, it's probably a mistake. If it works and you don't mind the switch being reversed, there is no reason I can think of to switch out the bulb for a different one. Of course, should you sell the scoot in the future, that would be a good time to put in a properly functioning bulb.

[chicaboo]

Are the bulbs oriented correctly..

Yes...
If you install it incorrectly the base of the socket will be out 120° in either direction (sideways).
You can't install it upsidedown or 180° out of alignment.

[chicaboo]

That's funny. Simply a matter of a reversed circuit in the bulb. Tbh, it's probably a mistake. If it works and you don't mind the switch being reversed, there is no reason I can think of to switch out the bulb for a different one. Of course, should you sell the scoot in the future, that would be a good time to put in a properly functioning bulb.

I've just been trying to deal with it in the same way we all do with Honda's reversed horn and turn signal switches.
I have to say it's not intuitive to try and adapt to.

[easyrider]

Compare Honda bulbs with your new bulb..look at the orientation of the filaments. Are these regular halogen or LED ?? Try putting some test leads on them and see how they light and are oriented.

[chicaboo]

They're essentially the same as my Honda bulbs but with blue coating to bring them up to 5000k colour.
If the terminals are reversed for some reason, there is nothing I can do to resolve that.
I'm waiting to hear back from the seller, whom reckons their waiting to hear back from the manufacturer.

[iceman]

Where did you source the bulb from and what is the exact product number (seems there are so many HS5 variants and sub variants HS5-3, HS5-5, etc). Some come with kits for adapting to your bike, some seem to plug in direct. Got a picture and link?

[chicaboo]

I got them locally from eBay as none of the sellers on Amazon ship to Australia: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/231947494274
The packaging is generic and are only described as HS5 12V 35/30W 5000k.

[chicaboo]

I got a reply back from the eBay seller:

"Hi.

We have consulted the distributor and they have advised there was small batch that had the high-beam switched with the low beam."


Awesome QC, right there.

[you you]

Do you mean customer service? Quality control failed.

[chicaboo]

eBay seller = good customer service, so far.
Manufacturer = poor quality control.