driving lights & strain on elec system

[Coolbreezin]

Hello all,

I'd like to add 2 sets of LED driving lights to my 05 Ridgeback. I'm concerned with the draw it would put on the battery. I'm planning on running it straight off the battery. This would be a total of 275 watts continuous draw. I presently have a 320cca battery. What yall think?

 

[Mr. Wright]

It's AMPS that you need to worry about. If your lights are LED, they will be low amps. I am running regular halogen driving light on my 02, and have not had any problem with the charging system yet. Also be aware, I don't have an EHC.

 

[Letbigdogintocanada]

As long as u got a good charging set up u should be fine,although 275 watts is quite a lot,I would be more nervous bout my EHC tho!!,cuz we all know how sensitive they are!!

 

[DRBarnhart]

According to the math (A=W/V) you'll be using 22.9A! Seems like a lot for LED's...

Just make sure you put a fuse in the circuit!!

Dennis

 

[RoadRider]

They shouldn't be a problem for the EHC if you are running them straight off the battery.

 

[Coolbreezin]

All excellent responses and I thank you for them. Now I have something to chew on mentally.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

If you need a 40amp Comp U Fire charging system Wild Steed Worx has them

 

[Letbigdogintocanada]

If you need a 40amp Comp U Fire charging system Wild Steed Worx has them

U got that kit with a chrome regulator ??

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

Where are you getting 2 sets of LED driving lights that will draw 275W. Your Headlight is only 55W/60W -- Where did you get the 275W number from?

If you ADD another 275W draw to a Big Dog your asking for trouble. Even with a compufire Its still not going to be enough

 

[KaptinAmerika]

U got that kit with a chrome regulator ??

No its Not Offered With A Chrome Regulator But I Can Get A Chrome Regulator Cover For It To Go With The Kit

 

[Coolbreezin]

55 watts each light, 2 sets equal 220 watts, plus the headlight.
Whats the maximum wattage yall recommend for this situation?

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

55W, then they aren't LED.
check this page for "estimates" of power. Calculating Excess Electrical Capacity - Learning Center - Powerlet Products

So based on their estimate 200W for the bike, add the 220 for the new lights.
You're drawing 420W, if you've got a 40A charger you might be ok but that's closer to the threshold than I'd like to run.

Why 2 sets of driving lights?

I'm a huge fan of being seen and being able to see and I've got a great light setup without doing that.

HID light in the headlight and a CandlePower reflector. The reflector makes a HUGE improvment, brighter than my buddies HID that's rated the same.

I'd work on this first rather than adding all that extra power draw.

I am getting ready to add true LED (10W each) driving lamps to mine, 20w's is nothing compared to the 220W you want to add.

Where were you going to mount 2 sets on your bike.
Also check with where you live -- 2 sets of driving lamps may not be legal and may cause you to get stopped more than you'd like.

 

[Coolbreezin]

Mike,

The driving lights are to replace the headlight, I plan to add 5 total (275 watts). I would fab the mount myself. The Candlepower reflector would not work in this application. As for the law, Im not going to worry about that. If my open pipe doesn't get their attention, then I doubt the lights will.
Oh, excellent link to the PowerLet site. Thank you.

 

[Letbigdogintocanada]

Mike,

The driving lights are to replace the headlight, I plan to add 5 total (275 watts). I would fab the mount myself. The Candlepower reflector would not work in this application. As for the law, Im not going to worry about that. If my open pipe doesn't get their attention, then I doubt the lights will.
Oh, excellent link to the PowerLet site. Thank you.

Whatever u do ,just make sure things don't start to melt,cuz we all know what the stock electrical set up big dog was running with,lol

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

Ok, now I get it. Still a little too high power draw for my tastes but with a 40A Compufire might do it. (with all that draw even with the compufire it will take longer ride to get the battery fully charged.)

As to the ignoring the law, I know what you are saying about the pipes buts lights will get much more sttention and are far more likely to get you in trouble/noticed than noise is.

Send pics if you do this, I'd like to see it.
Have you decided how/where to mount all those lights.
Also for you safety remember to take into consideration beam angle.
The single headlight setup puts out a relatively wide beam to cover the width of the road, see some of the shoulder etc. Driving lamps come in different beam angles, if you used all narrow angle ones you could easily loose visibility on a section of the road that you need to see. More lights aren't always better if the lights not in the right spot!

Good luck.