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Farkle Overdose?

1194 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  14wntr
Due to all of the overwhelming information on this site, I have quite a few aftermarket add ons, and I am wondering if anyone has had any battery and or alternator issues due to heavy amperage loads. The only HEAVY loads are the HID headlight and the PIAA lights. Most of my other lights and accesories are LED.
I did add a fuse box controlled by a relay on the key switch. I think I should add a manual switch so I can ensure all accessories are off during engine start.
Trying to make a dollar, so all .02 are appreciated...
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My bike has a bunch of similar farkles, including the two HID low beam systems (Ducati Designs nose kit), motolights, Autocom, and more. I have not done the math on the current draw, so I cannot speak to load on the alternator.

My HIDs draw from the stock headlamp connector, so they are off during cranking.

My auxiliary fuse block is on a power relay and the coil is triggered when the rider seat heater circuit is energized, and I believe that is also off during cranking. In my case (and if my recollection about the seat heater circuit is correct) there is no extra load during cranking because of this setup and thus not need for master kill switch. Now, for some of the cagers out there wh do not look for bikes, a "kill" switch/button could come in handy... LoL
Actually the HID units draw less power than the incandescent lights do. They spike a little on startup but steady state far less current is used. The stock bulb is 55 watts (4 amps)and most of the HID are 35 watts (2.5 amps).

The alternator is rated at 840 watts at 14 volts so it won't start to strain until you exceed 55 amps of draw. That's a lot!
jzeiler said:
Actually the HID units draw less power than the incandescent lights do. They spike a little on startup but steady state far less current is used. The stock bulb is 55 watts (4 amps)and most of the HID are 35 watts (2.5 amps).

The alternator is rated at 840 watts at 14 volts so it won't start to strain until you exceed 55 amps of draw. That's a lot!
And that, John, is why you got my vote for MVP....
deputy5211 said:
My auxiliary fuse block is on a power relay and the coil is triggered when the rider seat heater circuit is energized, and I believe that is also off during cranking. In my case (and if my recollection about the seat heater circuit is correct) there is no extra load during cranking because of this setup and thus not need for master kill switch. Now, for some of the cagers out there who do not look for bikes, a "kill" switch/button could come in handy... LoL
Rewire in progress....... Thanks Tony!
Matt, I am loving the new avatar!
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