Hello all:

The stock lights on my 2000 Grizzly 600 are just not bright enough for me anymore. A buddy of mine recently purchaced a Polaris Sportsman 700 and the lights on his machine are much brighter than mine. I'm thinking of putting some SUPER bright lights on my quad, specifically these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eagle-Eye-150W-6...QQcmdZViewItem

My question is, can the alternator and electrical system handle a light this powerful? If not, what can you suggest? I currently have a warn 2.5 winch/heated handgrips installed. Will this overload my quad?

Thanks guys!

 

I would try to avoid going over 120 watts total with the stock stator. You could maybe get it rewound for maybe 180 watts or something, but a pair of 150 watt lights is still going to be too far out of reach. You really have to be careful about overloading the charging system on a quad, especially on a yamaha.

I think a pair of 55 watt driving lights for a car should be sufficient, that's a huge improvement over the stock lights. That's what I have on my warrior, and I don't see why anybody would need anything brighter, even when riding at high speeds.

 

I have a kodiak, and i agree the stock headlights are lame. I added one hella 55 watt halogen light, and it made all the difference. Get one that has the fog pattern , it broader than the pencil beam of driving lights. I also have warmers, but id turn the extra light off, before using the winch, or extended idleing. The stator only puts out the rated amount at about 5000 rpm, at idle its very much less.

 

From my research so far, it seems like 150w is a bit too much power. (I'd love to have these 'runway spotlights' on my machine, but it seems like the electrical system will not be able to handle this) Out of curiousity, how much capacity can the alternator deal with?

 

The factory service manual says 14 volts at 21 amps at 5000 rpm is gonna be the max. Thats an absolute of 294 watts at 5000 rpm. Figure maybe 100 watts max at idle.

 

So would I be able to put dual 55w lights in addition to the stock (i'm assuming 35w) for a total of 180w for lights? I would not be running these lights at idle, nor with my winch. I'd just use them for trail riding between 15-30MPH. I just don't want to draw too much power from the alternator and have the machine die on me in the middle of no where.

Thanks guys!

 

That's kinda borderline. You'd probably be ok as long as you're careful to switch them off when you're idling or at low rpms. I had a set of 55 watt driving lights in addition to the stock lights on my honda recon, and if I wasn't at high rpms most of the time the battery would drain with both sets on. But honda stators typically put out a lot less than yamaha stators do.

 

Well I definatally want to play it safe, but still would like a brighter light for night riding (which I do most of the time). What would you guys reccomend? What do you personally done to your quad to make the difference? I'm going to make a decision on what to buy within the next few days and would like ot be positive i'm not going to be making a mistake!!

Recon99: Do you have one or two 55w on your quad, also what brand?

Take care...

 

I have a 55 watt halogen, mounted on the handlebars. That way, I can direct the beam where i want it. Some times i weave left and right as i go down the trail, to sweep the beam and see better. I think one is enough, and it doesnt load down the battery too bad.
I usually run the regular beams on low, and they are pointed pretty much 20 feet in front of the machine, and then have the handlebar light aimed straight ahead. I swear, it shines a 1/2 mile down the road, ive had people comment on how intense the beam is.
If you want a pic of how i got it mounted, let me know and ill send one to you.

 

OHM's Law
Watts / Volts = Amps
Here is they way it is. If you have a 50 watt bulb and the system puts out 12 volts you would divide the 12 into 50 that will be 4.2 amps app. If you stator put out 1500 watts it is equal to about 15 amps just under so the 100 watt bulb is drawing 8.4 amps. You also have other things that need amps to run the bike. I would look up on other post I listed a HID system that will put out 200 watts of light and it has 30 watt bulbs cost around 375 bucks

HID SCMR16: 5600K 1850 lumens
World's first MR16 HID light with a self-contained ballast. No remote ballast to be installed. When only the best will do, these are the lights for you. At 30 watts, they are virtually plug and play, and their light output is intense. 3 times brighter than halogen.

Handlebar mounted Eclipse lights improve vision by allowing lights to be aimed with the handlebars. Handlebar mounted lights can be used to complement or replace stock lights. Kits available for most common sport ATV's. Most light kits include billet bar clamp with two 30 watt HID billet lights (one narrow beam and one wide angle for best field of view), stainless steel mounting hardware and photographic installation instructions.

2 to 3 times brighter than stock lights
Custom desgned for exact model fit
Easy to install
CNC machined from 6061 billet aluminum
Hande polished to a high gloss
Clear coated for a long lasting bright finish
Some clamps have optional stainless steel logo plate
Bullet type connectors included

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...1422982&rd=1,1

Link to the real HID lights they draw almost nothing to run about 1.5 amps per bulb and they are gas filled. The 5600k temp is almost the same temp that the sun burns at.