Being new to ATVs, I don't know much about them. I'd like to know if I can mount auxiliary lights to the front and/or rear to, obviously, provide better lighting. If so, how much wattage for the front? How much for the rear? Can I replace my existing headlights with higher wattage lights? What wattage can I plug into the front aux. power outlet? My machine is a 2000 Polaris Sportsman 500, and the owner's manual doesn't say anything about it.

Thanks.

Paul

 

most likely you will have 35 watts apiece in the front and you can jump up to about 55 watts each without problems........I'm not sure how much you can tax the electrical system before it starts giving you fits......High output stators are available to solve any problems

 

Check my pics, i have 55watt Baja lights, and i can run them, my regular lights, and my winch at the same time.

 

The output of my Stator/Alternator is 250 watts. What's yours?

 

I believe most newer quads are between 200-300 watts. You could run them and be fine.

 

I have 55w aux lights on the front, and reverse lights I think they are 55w also looks like the same bulbe as front lights. stock head lights are 3o/30w lower fender lights and 40w handlebar light. I usually don't run the 40w light if I have the 2 55w lights on. I turn off the 55w lights when winching.
Charging system is 325watt but I assume you would have to be in high revs to reach 325watts.

 

I have put (2) 35watt Trail-Tech lights on my last two bikes. There the best lights with great lighting output. You can get them from www.rockymountainatv.com. To find out how much extra lighting you can add , I started my bike let it warm up and checked the voltage at the battery while its still at IDLE. Then I used some old truck headlights I had in the garage the big round sealed beam type 55watts apiece. Using battery jumper cables I hooked up the lights to the battery while the bike is still running. TURN ON ALL YOUR STOCK LIGHTS, at IDLE check the voltage at the battery and keep adding different amouts of light 55watt or 5watt tail light bulbs it does not matter what you use as long as it is lighting for DC current and you know its value so you can add it up . Once the voltage at the battery drops below 12.5 - 12.2 volts at IDLE that would be a good place to stop and add up how much extra watts you have added. The voltage reading should come up when you rev the engine . But when your going slow or crawling down at steep hill at night your R.P.M.s will be low, close to the R.P.M. at idle. It's an easy way to see what you can safely add to your bike without over taxxing your charging system and or battery. On my 2000 Foreman 450s I can run my stock lights (2x25w + 1x45w) + my 2x35w Trail Tech lights and a 55w reverse light I wired in to come on when I put the bike in reverse. Be sure to use relays to control your extra lights or you'll smoke your stock wiring after awhile. We do a lot of fast late late night riding in some very remote areas in southern Missouri and the last thing I need is for my bike not to start when I'am out on the trail after a rest stop (trail side bathroom break)......