trying to find out output of my 95 vf750 alternator. couldn't seem to find that info anywhere. anyone happen to have that info? added 2 55watt driving lights but haven't hooked them up yet, not sure if the output will support them or if they will start draining my batter. might have to switch to some led's or something if not.
I have two extra lights on my bikes, which are rated at 55 watts (each), if I recall correctly. The charging systems on the '96's seem to handle them without difficulty. I have no other added load besides these. When the bikes are parked, I keep trickle chargers on them, so the batteries are always at full charge when I start. I have been on week long trips, riding every day, with no trickle chargers at night, and had no difficulty.
Hope this helps.
Check here
http://www.magnaownersoftexas.com/forums/index.php/topic,1917.0.html
Listed as 375 watts, I run the same as Lawrence with no issues, whether in stop and go traffic or not.
great! thanks for the help, I knew I would find the answer here :D. guess I need to go buy a switch now.
Quote from: Skydrol on January 22, 2012, 03:16:31 PM
guess I need to go buy a switch now.
I hope your lights came with a relay. It takes a pretty burly switch to handle the current they draw. Mine came with relays. On the first installation, I cut a hole in the left fork panel (the black piece), to mount the switch that controls the relay. I can lean forward and turn the lights on or off. After using this arrangement for a three or more years, I bought a second '96 and installed the same light kit in it. I observed that I always ran the extra lights when my headlight on was on "bright", so on the second installation, I just used the bright bulb drive to actuate the relay, so the extra lights come on when the brights do.
I almost never ride at night, and use the full light complement almost all the time, so for me, the difference was not worth the extra effort to mount a switch.
I ride a lot to work in the morning while it is still dark.
Some of the switches I've seen come with relays. The one I saw on ebay was about $25. going to look around locally and see what I can find.
I ran power from the battery, thru a fuse to a switch as Lawrence discribed, but then ran the power to a three switch (http://www.goldwingcountry.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=10&manufacturer_ID=66&product_ID=5736&model_ID=1&sblid_name=Show_Chrome_Accessories__Big_Bike_Parts__Master_Cylinder_Switch_Block_Assembly_for_). I use the switches for my aux. light & my phone charger. I added the switch on the fork panel so I could kill the power to the switches.
You can then run the three switch wire (there are three) to a relay if needed.