Amps/Watts limits for additional lighting
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 345
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From: C IL
Amps/Watts limits for additional lighting
I'm considering adding some additional LED lighting to my bike for night riding. I'm taking a trip out west here in a few months and we're talking about trying an iron butt while were at it. I would like to have some more lighting for critters if I'm riding late in the night/early morning.
I'm trying to get an idea of what kind of limits I might have when looking for lights as far as their wattage/amperage. One set I'm looking at is advertised something like 5-6K lumens and has a high/low setting. It looks like that particular light on low is 65W and high is 95W. So if figures are correct I'd be looking at 5.24 to 7.66 amps. They do come with their own wiring harness that would be fused.
Mainly I'm just not wanting to cause other electrical issues on the bike on a long road trip and wanted to get some thoughts from some that have more experience in this than I do.
Thanks.
I'm trying to get an idea of what kind of limits I might have when looking for lights as far as their wattage/amperage. One set I'm looking at is advertised something like 5-6K lumens and has a high/low setting. It looks like that particular light on low is 65W and high is 95W. So if figures are correct I'd be looking at 5.24 to 7.66 amps. They do come with their own wiring harness that would be fused.
Mainly I'm just not wanting to cause other electrical issues on the bike on a long road trip and wanted to get some thoughts from some that have more experience in this than I do.
Thanks.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,609
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From: Eastern Ohio
95 watts is massive for LED lights. What brand lights? Got a link? I know the off-road light bars will advertise their "wattage" but it's not accurate when you actually check the amperage draw.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 345
Likes: 222
From: C IL
Thanks for the feedback.
Dont laugh, but they're a new offering at Harbor Freight that I came across last night while watching other light videos on YouTube. Not a ton of reviews on them yet, but there were a couple that were pretty good reviews and they looked like they really had alot of light coming from them. They're not super expensive like a clearwater or baja but could get two lights and a harness for $250-300 which is a little more palatable as I probably would set them up to take on and off when needed. The pdf of the manual is on the page so thats where I found the wattages.
ROADSHOCK EDGE 4 LED Off-Road Spot/Flood Combo
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 345
Likes: 222
From: C IL
I have swapped the factory passing lamps from Halogen to LED, but could turn those off when running the additional AUX lamps if needed, i suppose. Looks like those are maybe 30W each.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Eastern Ohio
I'm not laughing. Those actually look like a really decent quality light. I highly highly doubt that those pull that kind of wattage. It's the game they play with LED lights. Most time it's "equivalent" wattage. I would not be worried to put those on a bike. If you get them, try to get an amperage draw from them and report back. I'm curious.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: OH
Consider all the extra electrical equipment installed on a cop bike
Your lights pose zero problem
Your lights pose zero problem
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 1,601
From: Eastern Ohio
I didn't realize the op had a cop bike. They have a larger charging system too. Op, you'll be fine, add 2 sets. You'll still have overhead for a booming stereo system too.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 345
Likes: 222
From: C IL
thanks everyone. I do have a soundstream stereo I installed a couple years ago. Nice addition.
I may pick up a set to play with and see how I like them. I have lower fairings installed so trying to decide how Id want to mount t them by either modifying those or removing them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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a lot of leds are rated in comparison to the incandescent.
easy peasy, just do an amp draw and add 20% for battery charging. the pmg must be able to pull that current.
also of note is that the system runs off the regulator and not the battery, it only makes up the short fall. that said, have a good regulator.
it would be nice to have a 3ph system to boot!
easy peasy, just do an amp draw and add 20% for battery charging. the pmg must be able to pull that current.
also of note is that the system runs off the regulator and not the battery, it only makes up the short fall. that said, have a good regulator.
it would be nice to have a 3ph system to boot!