is 2 pairs of 55w lights too much

[starky]

Recently installed small 55w lights under tip over wings and like them very much.
Today I installed another set of slightly larger 55w lights on the top side of the tip over wings.
Went for a ride this evening and like the amount of illumination they are throwing off.
I slaved off of the lower lights which are on a seperate switch wired directly to the battery with a fuse close to the battery.

Now, with both pairs of lights on when the bike is idling there is a slight dimming over all to the lights, dash etc. Whe I get under way or give it some revs the light gets brighter.

Is this set up drawing too much power for the LT's electrical system?

I've reviewed all of the threads under "lighting" and could find any discussion about what constitutes too much lighting fo the system to safely handle. However, I did see in alot of the attached pictures, some LT's with 3 sets of lights; piaas, motos, cheapos, etc. running with 50w/55w bulbs, which
would represent alot more draw than my set up.

What are the parameters in these situations?

Starky

[unleashd]

You might want to run a separate relay drive circuit for the second set of lights to avoid the dimming.

I have 3 sets of auxiliary lights on the LT, but I never run more than 2 sets at a time, that too, only on the interstates, and if I am riding through the night. Otherwise, the one set of Hella FF50's illuminates the road ahead very well.

Also, In VA (and other states also, I presume), it is illegal to run more than 4 headlights at a time. Just a thought.

[bowlesj]

Recently installed small 55w lights under tip over wings and like them very much.
Today I installed another set of slightly larger 55w lights on the top side of the tip over wings.
Went for a ride this evening and like the amount of illumination they are throwing off.
I slaved off of the lower lights which are on a seperate switch wired directly to the battery with a fuse close to the battery.

Now, with both pairs of lights on when the bike is idling there is a slight dimming over all to the lights, dash etc. Whe I get under way or give it some revs the light gets brighter.

Is this set up drawing too much power for the LT's electrical system?

I've reviewed all of the threads under "lighting" and could find any discussion about what constitutes too much lighting fo the system to safely handle. However, I did see in alot of the attached pictures, some LT's with 3 sets of lights; piaas, motos, cheapos, etc. running with 50w/55w bulbs, which
would represent alot more draw than my set up.

What are the parameters in these situations?

Starky

I'm not a real expert on the output of the LT alternator. However, I only have one set of aux. 55 watt lights and even though I get no dimming at idle, I can hear the alternator rattle much more with the extra load applied. Turn on heated seats, grips, and Gerbings and things start to diminish and the alt. gets even noisier. Above idle, all is smooth.

Since all 4 of your 55 watt units are switched and fused directly to the battery, I don't think you can do any better than that. Once a relay is energized the circuit is powered the same as you have it now. The relay would only be needed if triggering the lights from a smaller wire diameter.
Another thing to consider is you really need 16 gauge minimum for your setup. Your pulling 18 amps and 16ga is what should be used if on the same circuit, at least between the battery and switch.

[sparky_k1200lt]

Also, In VA (and other states also, I presume), it is illegal to run more than 4 headlights at a time. Just a thought.

I got warned by dealer: VA allows only 1 set of auxiliary lights to be *mounted* on a motorcycle. I'm setting my 2nd set up to be quickly removed, so it can pass the state's "Safety inspection".

[deputy5211]

Also, In VA (and other states also, I presume), it is illegal to run more than 4 headlights at a time. Just a thought.

Same in Texas.

[kevincook]

Same in Texas.


Hmmm, If I get pulled over I'm just going to say "officer, those lights down there aren't actually headlights.....they are just white marker lights." :D

Hope that works, if I get a ticket it will be worth it since I'm pretty sure a lot of left turners actually see me because of those extra lights. Since I installed them a year ago I haven't had one single person turn in front of me.

Kevin

[petevandyke]

I re-wired my second set of aux lights, had them on the same circuit as my first [reviously (i.e. when I clicked the on switch, all four of them came on before, now they have separate switches). I love the effect when I have them all blazing, but riding with other motorcyclists in a group at night, if I wasn't leading the pack, lost me some friends pretty quickly if I didn't elect to turn them all off. Lesson learned...now I can run the PIAA's under the nose and not piss off my buddies, and when I don't have a "friendly" at my "12," I can illuminate the next twelve miles in front of me by igniting the ones under my tip-over wings as well

[jwd98056]

I got warned by dealer: VA allows only 1 set of auxiliary lights to be *mounted* on a motorcycle. I'm setting my 2nd set up to be quickly removed, so it can pass the state's "Safety inspection".

Same thing is Washington State.

[johnrehder]

I have two 100 watt lights under the mirrors and have no problem so far.


Recently installed small 55w lights under tip over wings and like them very much.
Today I installed another set of slightly larger 55w lights on the top side of the tip over wings.
Went for a ride this evening and like the amount of illumination they are throwing off.
I slaved off of the lower lights which are on a seperate switch wired directly to the battery with a fuse close to the battery.

Now, with both pairs of lights on when the bike is idling there is a slight dimming over all to the lights, dash etc. Whe I get under way or give it some revs the light gets brighter.

Is this set up drawing too much power for the LT's electrical system?

I've reviewed all of the threads under "lighting" and could find any discussion about what constitutes too much lighting fo the system to safely handle. However, I did see in alot of the attached pictures, some LT's with 3 sets of lights; piaas, motos, cheapos, etc. running with 50w/55w bulbs, which
would represent alot more draw than my set up.

What are the parameters in these situations?

Starky

[starky]

I have two 100 watt lights under the mirrors and have no problem so far.

AS it turned out earlier in the summer on my way to Conneticut the lights overheated and the fuse under the seat fired and melted.
At a local parts shop in Clinton the sales guy said I was lucky to get off with no other damage.
Seems i should have fused the 2 sets of lights seperately and used much heavier gauge wire. Just too much current for 12 gauge which is what comes with the lights.
It'll be my late fall project to re-wire.
JS

[brianbeemer]

100W bulbs are illegal in MA - 55W max.

[starky]

100W bulbs are illegal in MA - 55W max.
The lights I installed were 55 w. I just put them on top of each other so that I had 110w each side.

[zippy_gg]

Instead of adding 2 sets of 55 watts lights, why not install 1 set of FF50 or larger and convert to HID? Total output is only 70 watts and you get spectacular lighting, especially if you use them on highways only and in the total darkness (desert or forest comes to mind)