Spotlights-Quick question!

[palace15]

Can you see any problem running 2x55w spotlights to a C5? the idea is just to wire them to 'high beam' with relay etc, so is the alternator up to the job? I would have thought so, but what do you guys think?
Dave

[jartist]

I doubt you could run 2x55watts in addition to the headlight without draining down the battery. You could probably run it that way for a little while if you had a voltage meter to watch. Ducati Scotty had to go from a 55 watt bulb to a 35 watt bulb because the alternator couldn't keep up but I don't have a problem running my 55 watt headlight.

[palace15]

Thanks for the reply, being wired into main beam I would not expect to be on 'main' too often or for too long.
Dave

[Ducati Scotty]

I have my doubts on that one, these charging systems are pretty limited.  You could always wire it up temporarily and check the voltage with turned it on and the engine at cruising RPM.  If it's around 13.5V or so you should be fine.

Scott

[dampking]

Why not go for LED Spot lights? They consume less electrical power and gives way more light spread and output.

Check out the pics added in the "Item Description" - http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-CREE-780LM-12V-24V-LED-Light-Switch-Buggy-Boat-Tractor-4-Wheeler-Motorhome-/140856257082?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20cbafea3a&vxp=mtr

I didn't try these but I did try normal 10w LEDs and they are stronger than 90w LED Headlamps.

Edit - or maybe this... one of these will be sufficient!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1600LM-CREE-LED-Light-Off-Road-Explorer-Adventure-4WD-Wrangler-Cherokee-Xterra-/180982773451?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2369f6cb

[palace15]

Many thanks for the replies and links, I did wonder about LED but know nothing about them, it appears that they can be wired straight to the main beam without a relay, is this correct?
Dave

[dampking]

Yep and also a full LED Setup helps too. Like LED Pilot, Tail Lamp, Speedo Console and Amp meter lights. Saves a lot!

[Bulletman]

Many thanks for the replies and links, I did wonder about LED but know nothing about them, it appears that they can be wired straight to the main beam without a relay, is this correct?
Dave

If and when you upgrade to the spotlight/s please post your experience and the setup it took.  Thanks

[palace15]

If and when you upgrade to the spotlight/s please post your experience and the setup it took.  Thanks

Yes I will do, I have a pair of 55w halogen but after gett Ducati Scotty' reply I am going to source some LED bulbs to try, in the UK I believe spotlights have to be fitted as 'pairs', I posted on another forum about a LED strip light wired into the ignition for European riding but it transpires that the light must be from the headlight! 

[Arizoni]

The LED's use much less power to produce their light so, per watt they produce more lumen's of brightness.

A Philips article says an incandescent bulb produces about 13 lumens per watt of power used.
It goes on to say that a non-hyped honest estimate of a LED shows they produce about 40 lumens per watt.

Assuming this to be true, a 65 watt incandescent bulb will produce about 845 lumen.
To produce 845 lumen of light a LED would use about 21 watts.
The article also mentions that with a incandescent bulb the lumen output is directed in all directions while the LEDs are usually designed to direct their light in one direction.

Said another way, using LED's for the lights on a motorcycle will greatly reduce the power they use to produce the same amount of light.

They can replace all of the bulbs on a motorcycle (if the light base is the same as the existing one) but as has been shown in another topic here replacing the turn signal bulbs can be a PITA.  That's because the LED's low power use won't let the turn signal flasher work properly.  They also need the proper + and - battery power to be connected to the correct terminal in the light socket because if this isn't what they expect to see they won't light.  The turn signal indicator light may need to have the wiring modified too.

This isn't a problem for most of the lights because the RE's power and ground is correct on the headlight, parking lights and tail light.

[Bulletman]

Yes I will do, I have a pair of 55w halogen but after gett Ducati Scotty' reply I am going to source some LED bulbs to try, in the UK I believe spotlights have to be fitted as 'pairs', I posted on another forum about a LED strip light wired into the ignition for European riding but it transpires that the light must be from the headlight! 

I read that Scotty had issues with his  55 W Halogens. I have the 7" Minda headlight which is a 60/55 and I have not had any problems, my battery is also Brand New ( about 4 months Old) and I use my battery Tender to charge the Battery once every Fortnight.   

[Ducati Scotty]

I use my battery Tender to charge the Battery once every Fortnight.   

No one using a charger had a problem with the 7".  If you're charging that often on a new battery you probably wouldn't notice that the headlight is slowly robbing the battery.  I don't like to use a charger on a regular basis because I don't want to find out my charging system doesn't work when I'm hundreds of miles away from home.

Scott

[motorat]

another forum said these were good.
http://dx.com/p/10w-750lm-6500k-high-power-flood-light-projection-lamp-12v-44176?rt=1&p=2&m=2&r=3&k=1&t=1&s=11263&u=44176

i have led driving lights on my vstrom and can take a pic tonight if you want.

[palace15]

another forum said these were good.
http://dx.com/p/10w-750lm-6500k-high-power-flood-light-projection-lamp-12v-44176?rt=1&p=2&m=2&r=3&k=1&t=1&s=11263&u=44176

i have led driving lights on my vstrom and can take a pic tonight if you want.

Yes please I would like to see some pics, cheers
Dave

[motorat]

here they are...
the pics didn't come out too good.