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UTV's Off Road ( RZR, YXZ, Mini Buggy, Carts,etc.) => UTV Controls and Electrical => Topic started by: Voodoochikin04 on July 13, 2009, 10:59:07 AM

Title: headlights
Post by: Voodoochikin04 on July 13, 2009, 10:59:07 AM: sooo.. i purchased and mounted some headlights for my buggy.. i got the cheap 20$ halogen fog lights from walmart.. 55watts each.. about 3.5 inches diameter.. will my bike engine be able to handle this? its a 95 suzuki katana 600, factory had one headlight, bike also has factory altenator.. cant find anywhere the power output for this engine.. buddy of mine told me that it might burn up the stator.. im not using the blinkers, and ill only use a tiny tail light.. so i need advice/help...
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: fabr on July 13, 2009, 11:17:26 AM: It will likely run the lights but the charging system may not be able to keep up. Have you added any extra electrical loads to the buggy such as bigger fuel pump or larger fan/s? You should be able to check what your total load is on the charging system using a multimeter and compare that to the available charging system output. So long as you don't go over the rated output you are OK.
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: Voodoochikin04 on July 13, 2009, 11:42:06 AM: stock, the bike has a fairing fan on the motor.. one headlight, blinkers, tail/stop light... i did finally find a katana forum and it seems alot of guys have been running dual 55 watt fog lights, along with all the stock stuff, for years without trouble... i should be fine

how do i check the total load using the multimeter?
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: fabr on July 13, 2009, 01:53:34 PM: I'msorry ,I said multimeter but should have said ammeter. Place it inline with the lead from the starter going to the battery. Start the engine ,turn on all loads and read the amps.Take amps ,multilply by 12(Volts)to get watts. Compare that to your charging system watt output. I think I have that connection right.If not I'm sure someone will soon correct me.Been a while since I did it.
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: ace on July 13, 2009, 02:57:06 PM: Might want to use a clamp on ampmeter.
Most multi meters only go up to 10 amps.
That's only 120 watts. Most bike systems are
Capable of more than that.
Good advise though, always prudent to check
Alternator out put..
Joe
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: fabr on July 13, 2009, 03:01:14 PM: Yes,that's why I changed to ammeter instead of multimeter. You are most correct. A clamp on he likely doesn't have but would be by far the easiest way if he has access to one. On the other hand, he MAY want to just buy a cheap ammeter and install it in his dash tho,not a bad idea to have one in it anyway.
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: ace on July 13, 2009, 04:42:02 PM: Sorry missed that in the post
And I agree with you totaly.
Joe
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: fabr on July 13, 2009, 06:52:02 PM: No problem. Please feel free to correct me any time you see me mistaken. Most members here do already! 8) ;D ;D
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: artie on edge on July 13, 2009, 07:48:09 PM: Quote from: Masterfabr on July 13, 2009, 06:52:02 PM
No problem. Please feel free to correct me any time you see me mistaken. Most members here do already! 8) ;D ;D

Sory Fabr but you're wrong there... ALL members do regularly...just sayin....
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: fabr on July 13, 2009, 08:05:17 PM: I'm going harold holt just for that! ;D ;D
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: artie on edge on July 13, 2009, 08:19:30 PM: Quote from: Masterfabr on July 13, 2009, 08:05:17 PM
I'm going harold holt just for that! ;D ;D

no no no...DO A ...... Harold Holt.....
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: fabr on July 13, 2009, 08:31:10 PM: Blame it on the American accent. :e :m
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: Icky on July 13, 2009, 09:57:09 PM: I don't have any clue about that electrical stuff they are talking about ;D But wouldn't those Kragen lights be better? even one of them would put out more light then those halogens I think, someone will correct me though. They claim they're 35 watts and they come in a 4" and 7" http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=CSM&MfrPartNumber=99004&CategoryCode=3151 (http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=CSM&MfrPartNumber=99004&CategoryCode=3151) 8)
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: fabr on July 13, 2009, 09:59:28 PM: Correct and at less wattage draw. 100 bux tho each. I'm trying 4 of them
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: Voodoochikin04 on July 13, 2009, 10:16:26 PM: i can always upgrade for better lights.. those look nice. so about this cheap ammeter for my dash... where do i get one?
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: Icky on July 13, 2009, 11:22:50 PM: kragen had one on their website for $31 I don't know if that will work for your app though. I'm sure you can find one at just about any auto parts store, if it's the same guage i'm thinking of
http://shop.oreillyauto.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=SPL&MfrPartNumber=25892A (http://shop.oreillyauto.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=SPL&MfrPartNumber=25892A)
just trying to help
I mounted 4 of those 7" (all they had when they first came out) on my friends rhino cage i built, they put out a good amount of light, but they look big
Title: Re: headlights
Post by: fabr on July 14, 2009, 05:57:28 AM: I haven't looked but I'd think you could find a cheaper ammeter but maybe not.