Increasing passing lamp wattage?
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 340
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From: Southern IL
Increasing passing lamp wattage?
Ok here's a silly question for all ya'll electrical types.
I'm thinking about replacing my stock H3 halogen bulbs in my passing lamps on my '08 Ultra with yellow H3 bulbs.
I understand the stock H3 bulbs are around 35W. The Nokya replacement H3 bulbs are 70W. Seems a VERY big difference to me, and I'm wondering if the circuit will stand this without blowing fuses?
I also found yellow H3 bulbs that are 55W. Will the 55W bulbs be too much?
If so, can I increase fuse wattage without worrying about melting wiring?
Any feedback will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I'm thinking about replacing my stock H3 halogen bulbs in my passing lamps on my '08 Ultra with yellow H3 bulbs.
I understand the stock H3 bulbs are around 35W. The Nokya replacement H3 bulbs are 70W. Seems a VERY big difference to me, and I'm wondering if the circuit will stand this without blowing fuses?
I also found yellow H3 bulbs that are 55W. Will the 55W bulbs be too much?
If so, can I increase fuse wattage without worrying about melting wiring?
Any feedback will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
You could most likely get away with 55 watts, I would not go to 70 though. Your biggest issue will be your stator output and your battery drain because you would be taxing your system!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 818
Likes: 1
From: S/W Ohio
Do you just want to be more visible in daylight or want to burn out oncoming drivers retinas? Check your bulb type I don't think your 08 uses H3's I'm pretty sure its an 881 type base, the angled one. Your can get these bulbs in 27.5 watt.
Last edited by Badfinger; Feb 22, 2010 at 08:21 AM. Reason: spelling
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 2
From: East Tennessee
A 35 watt bulb pulls 2.9 amps. A 55 watt bulb pulls 4.6 amps and a 70 watt bulb pulls 5.8 amps. You would multiply these numbers by 2 to get the amps pulled by your passing lamps. Your wiring is good for about 30 amps but your fuse is 15 amps for your passing lamps. The trick to running high wattage bulbs in your passing lamps is the higher wattage you run, the higher temp the bulb will be. Your passing lamp are small and have no way of venting this heat so you will most likely blow a lot of bulbs or melt your plastic lamp connector on the back of the bulb.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 2
From: East Tennessee
If you are wanting more light from passing lamps, I would suggest going to a true HID H3 bulb and HID ballasts which will pull considerably less amperage and put out a much brighter light. These HID systems have digital ballasts which are very small and easily hidden in the back of your headlight bucket or elsewhere on your bike. These systems are also quite cheap if you buy them from such online businesses as DDM Tuning http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p...=107&parent=61
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Southern IL
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I don't wanna blind anyone-just be more visible. I think the 27.5 watt bulbs posted by Badfinger are the best bet. Guess I'll pull one open and see for sure what bulb is in it. Thanks everyone
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