auxiliary lights

[chillirider]

I just recently bought a used 08 Spyder and I have a question. The previous owner mounted a pair of auxilary running lights that are 55 watts each. Is that too much? I know my Honda they recommend not going over 35 watts for aux lights. These lights are ugly any ways so I really don't mind if I have to remove them. I'm wondering to if this is why my battery was so low.:dontknow:

 

[boborgera]

I just recently bought a used 08 Spyder and I have a question. The previous owner mounted a pair of auxilary running lights that are 55 watts each. Is that too much? I know my Honda they recommend not going over 35 watts for aux lights. These lights are ugly any ways so I really don't mind if I have to remove them. I'm wondering to if this is why my battery was so low.:dontknow:

Might be? original battery? I'm using 55 watters i don't care what they look like [just me] That said they draw a lot of juice at under 35 hundred RPM's I use them only at night and narrow road's [keeps on coming cars in their lane] And fog. At an long idle my battery light will flicker.
I think you should change them, there are a lot options out there.
Also it might be a good idea to check your battery.

 

[chillirider]

This Spyder is an 08 and only has 1500 miles on it. The previous owner just didn't have time to ryde. Matter of fact he didn't even register it this year so it's been sitting a lot and when he did ryde it was short rydes. I think my plan is to leave these 55 watters on for a while because it's still better then no extra lights and see what happens. It took my battery tender quite a while but the battery is all charged up now. Unless some people say these lights are definitely too much wattage I'm going to see how it goes.

 

[1VENOM]

:2excited::clap::2thumbs:welcome:2thumbs:

 

[1VENOM]

Pics would help determine if lights are wrong or battery is bad after sitting for so long. :doorag: pics please

 

[chillirider]

Here are some pics of the lights.

 

[WackyDan]

NAH... Not too much wattage.

I'm running fogs + 50watt x2 motolights... Spyder deals with them just fine.

If I'm only out running local, I leave the lights on and just plug her in when I get home.

If I'm running highway, generally that doesn't sap the battery too much. I've found that if I turn off the fogs and motolights about 20+ miles from destination, it charges the battery up nicely.

I just took a 2500 mile trip last month and ran the lights most of the time... Never had an issue with the battery being low at all.

Given that it is used... and an 08.... You might just want to toss a new battery in it though.

 

[Magic Man]

With two 55 watt driving lights you'll be using a little over 9 amps at 12 volts.

The time you will have the most problem with this amount of additional draw is at idle, and slower RPM operation.

At 5000 rpm or above you should still have enough reserve to be OK it will be around town or stuck in traffic that you will be using more than the mag puts out at low RPMs.

MM

 

[NancysToy]

With two 55 watt driving lights you'll be using a little over 9 amps at 12 volts.

The time you will have the most problem with this amount of additional draw is at idle, and slower RPM operation.

At 5000 rpm or above you should still have enough reserve to be OK it will be around town or stuck in traffic that you will be using more than the mag puts out at low RPMs.

MM

:agree: The next question is whether the wiring is up to the task. A lot depends on how they were wired.

 

[chillirider]

Yes, Looking at it I don't like the way they are wired so I think they are coming off. Someday I'll get some new lights and install them properly.

 

[mxz600]

Someday I'll get some new lights and install them properly.

Two words. Day Runners.:thumbup:

 

[RShrimp]

The BRP optional fog lights are 55 watts each so what's the problem?

 

[Magic Man]

The BRP optional fog lights are 55 watts each so what's the problem?

What's the problem?

Same problem.

Run these too long at idle or at low RPMs and you'll be running in the red zone.

Just ask Garythebadger, he had this happen to him. :yikes:

MM

 

[NancysToy]

The BRP optional fog lights are 55 watts each so what's the problem?

The BRP foglights are 35W each.

 

[Magic Man]

The BRP foglights are 35W each.

Correct Scotty!

I, just got home and dug out the old bulbs. They are H8 35 watts each, and even these willl drag down the battery if run at idle or low RPM too long. :shocked:

At 55 watts things will happen sooner.

MM

 

[boborgera]

Correct Scotty!

I, just got home and dug out the old bulbs. They are H8 35 watts each, and even these willl drag down the battery if run at idle or low RPM too long. :shocked:

At 55 watts things will happen sooner.

MM

:agree:
I'll second that 3 times. Happened to me 3 times [55w at a long idle]
Keep the RPMs up no problem, keep them low:yikes:

 

[NancysToy]

:agree:
I'll second that 3 times. Happened to me 3 times [55w at a long idle]
Keep the RPMs up no problem, keep them low:yikes:

Yes, very important! The Spyder only charges half its rated capacity at 4,000 rpm...and the mag output is limited at max.

 

[RShrimp]

Correct Scotty!

I, just got home and dug out the old bulbs. They are H8 35 watts each, and even these willl drag down the battery if run at idle or low RPM too long. :shocked:

At 55 watts things will happen sooner.

MM

I Stand Corrected! Thank you for the bulb info. I have HID's in all 4 holes and wanted to change the fog bulbs to a 3000K from the 8000K that is in there now. So now I know they are H8's ... Thanks again and sorry for the mis-information.

 

[vtrider]

In the early morning hours when I'm headed to work. I run the fog lights, along with my heated gear, as well as heated grips in in the colder days. I only had low battery voltage happen once, because I forgot to keep it charged on the battery tender. My ride to work is 20 miles one way on mostly rural roads, so I don't sit and idle much. However, I now do try to keep the battery plugged into the battery tender at least every two days or so to keep the battery maintained.