"The Last" Soltek HID Light Thread!!

[Last Chance]

Baja finally got my UPS call tag to me, so tomorrow I can send my leaky lights back, and hopefully we'll get this crap sorted out and all have all our stuff before the end of Daylight Savings Time.
Try to focus on the $223.00 discount from retail, it works for me....

Thanks for the update Toecutter. Not a problem for me...I don't really "need" the lights until I retire to Idaho where I plan to do a lot more "touring". That won't be until my house has "recovered" some of the $125k it has lost in value....or until I save enough to cover the loss in value. Or until I figure some way to transfer the deficiency up to the property I purchased in Idaho. (I borrowed my equity to pay for the land in Idaho.) :blink: I may end up working considerably longer than I had planned. :dribble: It has delayed my retirement at least one year and maybe longer. :angry2: Hence, I am in no hurry for the lights and it's nice to have a few farkles on the shelf to keep myself occupied on these long winter nights coming soon. :dribble: :dribble: :blink:

LC

 

[Last Chance]

snip
Like I said before, Ian's waiting to ship more lights until the problem is solved, as they're drop-shipped from Baja. The brackets will be coming separately, from Skyway, as soon as they're ready and back from the powder-coater.

I hate to represent him in absentia, but I've spoken to him on the issue, and I know how busy he is lately.

I understand how busy Ian is :dribble: and that's why I haven't called him. I'm relying on you and others to keep me informed.. You've done a great job doing so, toecutter! :clapping:

Thanks! :clapping: :yahoo:

LC

 

[Wolfhound]

Thanks for the update, TC

I ordered some more stuff from Ian today & decided that holding on to the Solteks was best. Should have the brackets before L.O.E. !

 

[dcarver]

Mr. Ups man arrived today with Solteks! :yahoo:

 

[Wolfhound]

Can you tell us if the vents are in a different location or replaced with "new style' vents ? Maybe I can just get vents if they are different . . . . .

 

[Last Chance]

Can you tell us if the vents are in a different location or replaced with "new style' vents ? Maybe I can just get vents if they are different . . . . .

Come on DCarver, we want pictures and intel.!!! :clapping:

LC

 

[dcarver]

Can you tell us if the vents are in a different location or replaced with "new style' vents ? Maybe I can just get vents if they are different . . . . .

Come on DCarver, we want pictures and intel.!!! :clapping:

LC

Geesh, I don't even know where the vents ARE or WERE? I'll look at them tonight, in the mean time, if others out there in web land have a clue, post it up..

 

[Wolfhound]

On mine it is a black plastic vent that screws in on the rear (near) bottom , opposite side from where wires enter . . . .They are not at the lowest point on the light but even with light wiring.

 

[Wolfhound]

Good News !

Finally the call back from Baja Designs. Jayce (sp) says there are no mods being done & the vent on the bottom is a one way vent to let out moisture. The lights are designed to run WITH the lense covers on & that should keep out any excess moisture . I'm good to go once the mounts & 2nd lense cover arrives ( originally only recieved 1 cover).

 

[dcarver]

The lights are designed to run WITH the lense covers on & that should keep out any excess moisture .

Lense cover? Whaa whaa dat? Seriously, they make a lense cover that has to be installed to keep water out? I didn't get any lense covers.. do they come 'stock' or do you have to order special?

TIA

 

[Warchild]

The lights are designed to run WITH the lense covers on & that should keep out any excess moisture .

:blink: This approach just doesn't seem correct to me....

 

[dcarver]

EDITED to fix typo.

Just spoke with Jayce. He says running the covers will help, and is recommended, as they protect the lens and I think he said also the area around the O ring seal. He stated they are having difficulty duplicating the leakage, even after soaking lights in water. He did admit they don't have much water there, geographically speaking, but they haven't been experiencing dust intrusion, although 'water is more intrusive than dust'.

He also stated it may have been pinched o-rings on the leaking units, each unit is hand assembled, and/or a clearance fit issue with the O-rings they've been using.

I asked would it be wise to put some o-ring 'grease' on the o-ring, in the groove, and he said he wouldn't do it, should not be necessary.

All in all, he sounded like he was on top of the situation, and was a good listener who seems to want to find the root cause.

BTW - the covers are part number 620035

 

[SkooterG]

The lights are designed to run WITH the lense covers on & that should keep out any excess moisture .

:blink: This approach just doesn't seem correct to me....

I agree.

And frankly, after seeing the lights I had and the "rock guard" (Baja Designs' terminology - not mine) covers I don't see how those covers are going to be a big aid against water intrusion. But heck, I could be wrong. It happens every great once in a while.

 

[Toecutter]

The lights are designed to run WITH the lens covers on & that should keep out any excess moisture .

:blink: This approach just doesn't seem correct to me....

I agree.

Sounds like BS, intended to sweep the problem under the rug, while turning some more dollars selling lens covers to all of us who want to have water-resistant lights. If that's the case, I'll silicone my cover screw threads and be done with it.

It doesn't jive with what I received from them....

From an email message (Jayce):
We have had a issue with moisture entering the lights in the past, but the problem has been fixed or so we thought.

If lens covers were needed to keep water out, you'd think they'd make mention of it in the lens cover description, or at least in the "confession" I got from Jayce.

I'm callin' ********.

 

[dcarver]

The lights are designed to run WITH the lense covers on & that should keep out any excess moisture .

:blink: This approach just doesn't seem correct to me....

I agree.

And frankly, after seeing the lights I had and the "rock guard" (Baja Designs' terminology - not mine) covers I don't see how those covers are going to be a big aid against water intrusion. But heck, I could be wrong. It happens every great once in a while.

Does the cover overlap the o-ring interface area?

 

[SkooterG]

Does the cover overlap the o-ring interface area?

Don't know. My Solteks and rock guards are in the possession of their proud new owner somewhere in Wisconsin.

The wallet is running a bit light after the IBR. I don't think I even want to bother adding everything up and breaking down all the costs - gas, hotels, food, ect.......

 

[Wolfhound]

The short answer is yes. I realize few care about my findings but I'll post anyway. I'll try to explain what Jayce said to me. If you look at the design you will see a 1/4 in. thick ring that fits up against the glass surface. This lip may be holding water at speed & allowing it to eventually intrude. The covers go over the metal ring & should keep water from entering.

 

[huron52]

I'm interested!

I can see where the plastic covers will stop water from been driven into the ring or by the screws

Are they suggesting that the cover can be on when the lights are on?

Will they not melt?

 

[Wolfhound]

I was told they were designed to use with lights on . . .

 

[KentFJR06]

Has any one had the lights leak in normal rain? The lights that were effected during the IBR were exposed to 2 days of constant soaking rain. I don't think anything made it through with out taking on water!

Kent

PS, I am patiently waiting for my lights and brakets.