The stock lights are 35W each (70W total) and I've replaced them with the Trailtech Torch lights at 50W each (100W). I'm still having troubles with vibration on the torches so I'm considering replacing them and making a removable light-bar and mounting Hella500 off-road lights. They are 55W each (110W total) and very durable.

1) Will the stock electrical system be pushed to it's limits (I can disconnect the tail light to save a few watts) or beyond (potential component meltdown somewhere) ?

2) I'm guessing I might not get a good batt charge at night - comments.

3) I was thinking about wiring directly to the battery through a relay and switch/fuse - just like a truck - any benefit or reason not to. That way, I'll still be able to keep the torches mounted and connected (if I get caught after dark without the light bar) but wont use both at the same time.

Let me know what ya think, thanks

 

I would just contact trailtech and tell them to take back the junk torchlights and to give you credit towards some HIDs. They last longer than the torchlights and light up better than any other lights. I had the rectangular hellas on my Silverado and they worked good, but the HIDs whoops their @sses. I also had the bar mounted torchlights and the damn things would keep blowing up and blowing my fuses which left me stranded twice like 5 miles from my house [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

 

I would save even more money and get these they are talking about here

 

The stock stator on the raptor puts out 225 watts. Ricky stator sells 265 watt stators for around a $100. On my raptor, I have the torch lights that mount in the stock location (55 watts each) and 2 35 watt lights mounted on my handle bars. I have no problems with my battery or starting. I wired the lower lights to the blue wire coming out of the light switch which is for the tail light and then I wired the upper lights to the highbeam (yellow) wire.

 

Geo,

Thanks for the info - sounds like I should be OK in stock trim.

I've used the Hellas on my truck and off-road race car and they are very durable - that's why I want to use them. I really like the torch lights but the bulbs just dont hold up in the dez. Trail Tech has already sent me the new anti-vibe mounts (after compaining) which work better but I still lost a bulb during a weekend in the dunes.

Cali, I'll bet the HIDs are sweet - I'd like to go that direction but I'll try the $65 route first - then when that doesnt work, HIDs here I come [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

See ya -

 

how much are the HID's?

DO they mount to the handlebar steering steem?

 

All info here

 

trailtech has a new HID light that puts out two time the power of their smaller HID's. The lamp is the same size as the torch lights but the housings are bigger to hold a bigger vibration isolator

the pictures are here:

http://www.trailtech.net/mr16_hid.htm

 

how do those HID lights hold up? those one that mount to the frame are bad@ss!!!!i love the look. very trickwill they hol dup tot he abuse? im sketical about buying trailtech lights....

 

i just put 2 55w additional lights on my kodiak. i made a light bar and attached it to front bumper.
so far so good but i can't get a straight answer on how many watts the generator puts out.
as for wiring, i chose to put a 40 amp relay right off the battery wired to ignition. it has 2 outputs and i use 1 for the heated grips and thumb warmer, and the other for the lights. everything is seperatley fused and no splicing off other circuts. if there is ever a problem it will just pop the fuse and everything else will be as was, without any major problems. it was probably a little overkill, but i don't like to do things twice.
good luck.