Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Turbocat 6V 10W Spot Halogen MR11 Bulb

Has anyone ever found a source for these MR11 lamps that Turbocat and others use?

For example Turbocat sells a single replacement bulb 6V 10W Spot for $28.00. I can find similar bulbs, but never quite the same, at local specialty lighting stores for under $5. They always appear to have similar specs as the Turbocat bulbs but they are never as bright in actual use. Work OK as a back up until a replacement bulb from Turbocat arrives.

Has anyone ever found a source for these MR11 lamps that Turbocat and others use?

For example Turbocat sells a single replacement bulb 6V 10W Spot for $28.00. I can find similar bulbs, but never quite the same, at local specialty lighting stores for under $5. They always appear to have similar specs as the Turbocat bulbs but they are never as bright in actual use. Work OK as a back up until a replacement bulb from Turbocat arrives.

Check Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1138) or here (http://www.lightingsupply.com/halogen_bulbs/mr_shape_halogens/mr11_halogens/mr11_bipin_base.aspx). Make sure you look for a narrow spot (12 degree or less). You may have picked up a flood light by mistake.

I just looked at my replacement Turbocat bulb. It is 4.8V not 6V. That is why the bulbs you find on the WWW are not as bright. Turbocat is over-volting the bulb by 20% which is why it is so bright.

So the question now is where can you find a 4.8V 10W MR11 ??

Those bulbs are hard to find hence the reason they are costly.
I did the LED upgrade to mine a complete success follow this link and you will see it is very easy to do and you can keep your existing batteries.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=351148&highlight=turbocat
The light output is so great I only need to run the helmet and keep the handlebar for really stupid fast downhills.

I did the LED upgrade to mine

How much was the cost?

Where did you get the new machined housing and lens?

This conversion looks awesome. I just use my light on a road bike in the early morning. Max run time I need is 1.0 hour. I use the 6V 4.5 amp hour lead acid battery. I have had this system for around 15 years. I just replace the battery every other year at a cost of $10. Extremely low operating cost when compared to some of the other lighting systems and their expensive proprietary battery replacements.

Or you could run a 7.2 battery and run the cheap $5 6V bulbs.