In an ideal world I'd like to run a 55/100w main headlight, change the Baja Auxiliary lights to 55w each and then get a set of 55w trail tech lights. That is 320 watts, a few too many for the DS in stock trim. The same setup except leaving the Baja lights at 35w is 280w however I'm concerned that would still be too much draw since the engine itself has to run as well as a brake light & lighted flag etc. Anyone have any information as to what the maximum 'usable' wattage is for lighting?

 

My suggestions is first try the 100/55w main and 55w baja, all xenon bulbs. If you still feel the lighting is not adequate then I would start looking for an HID setup.

As far as what the max watts you can run and not draw from battery, I think the best way to do it is make a list of everything that can put a draw on the system. Also keep in mind that the 290w is only produced at 3000+ rpm.


Brake light: 8/27w (1157 LED Bulb only 23w)
Fan: ?
Ignition: ?
Tach light: ?

If we can figure these out then subtract it from 290. I would still leave enough for battery recharging.

 

The primary reason I like the Trail Tech lights is having some amount of light that moves with the handlebars, that way you can see directly in front of you as well as where you are turning. I'm pretty much decided my 2001 is going to keep the 55/100w main and then add a pair of 75w TrailTech lights which will draw 250w & that should be do-able. I am going to try your suggestion on the Baja & see how it works. Do they make flood style lights for the H3 auxiliary lights? Perhaps if I could get a wide enough spread I wouldn't want/need the TrailTechs on the Baja.

 

This was posted a while back at the garage, not sure if it was ripper or knutz
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the Baja regulator can hold 360 watts but the motor put out only 290 watts at 6000 rpm minus 125 watts for elect. components (e-box ,relay,brk light,fan)=165watts available for completely new lightening.
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hope this helps

 

125 watts for elect. components seem hight although it could be true. Where is the major power consumer? I can't imagine the tach using much, and we know the rear light only uses 8w, well 27 when you use the brake. Do relays consume a measurable amount of power? It would great if we could get a list of all the power consumers.

Thinking about it, if there was only 165w availiable for lighting, then a stock baja would be over drawing 55/60 and 2x55w although they really are only 2x35w.

I guess a better question is what happens when you over draw the system? Does the extra juice just come from the battery? Do other componets get less power? Would it be bad to over draw the system for a somewhat short time then allow time for the battery to recharge?

 

worst case scenario, an overdraw blows your regulator and then you keep going and all electronic devices get burned up because of no regulation.

p.s. the baja regulator is rated at a larger current draw than the stock ds - can't remember the ratings.