Light bar bulbs

[Mikealiasmike]

OK, here's what I have and know so far. I have an aftermarket light bar on the front of my RSTD. One of the H3 35 bulbs burnt out. Local parts store had a H3 55 (Headlight bulb) I tried it and it lit up great until... blown fuse. I realize it's probably drawing too much amperage with 55w instead of 35. The light bar is tied into the headlight wiring (Done at the shop when I bought it) It had heavy enough wire I believe to hold a larger amp fuse. Has anybody else tried this or am I destined to buy the 35's?

[vzuden]

Mike,

You may want to consider isolating the those lights to their own circuit protected with their own fuse and a relay. If someday you lose one for whatever reason you have the other as a backup. There are posts on how to do this.

[Flyinfool]

The 55W bulbs will load the charging system more. I can only run my 55W driving lights on the highway when the engine is always at higher speed, In the city or stop and go traffic I am draining the battery. Your RSTD likely draws less power than my Venture so you may be OK. But I would still check it for piece of mind.

 

As mentioned I would remove them from the headlight circuit and put them on their own circuit with a fuse, switch and relay.

[garyw]

I replaced my 35w bulbs with 50w sealed beam halogens. Based on 12 volts a 35w draws 2.91 amps. A 55w will draw 4.58 amp. That is only a 1.67 amp difference. Yamaha uses only a 10a fuse in the crappiest fuse holder know to man. I replaced the fuse holder with a blade style inline holder and put a 20a fuse in and have not had any problems. I am not an electrician by any means but I did have our very fine electrician where I work evaluate this and he has assured me that with such a slight difference there is absolutely nothing to worry about. For what it's worth

[wes0778]

Mike,

You may want to consider isolating the those lights to their own circuit protected with their own fuse and a relay. If someday you lose one for whatever reason you have the other as a backup. There are posts on how to do this.

 

:sign yeah that::sign yeah that:

 

Two points of failure are better than one!

I don't know about you, but having ALL the lights go out at 60mph on a dark two lane road would not be my idea of fun... :shock3:

[Mikealiasmike]

Mike,

You may want to consider isolating the those lights to their own circuit protected with their own fuse and a relay. If someday you lose one for whatever reason you have the other as a backup. There are posts on how to do this.

 

 

I looked for link to "how to" and couldn't find it. Would you happen to know where it is? Thanks for any help you can give and appreciate the response.

[vzuden]

Here is a wiring diagram that should help

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=525

 

I will see if I can find some more links

[vzuden]

Suggestions on where to get the power

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35002

[djh3]

Gary your figures may be correct on the 4.58amp draw but you need to x2 as you have 2 bulbs. I think the 55w jobs are a bit to much of a draw. Now if you have reduced in other places like marker lights have went to LED, headlight to HID or LED taking less power it gives room to play. With the dinky little wires going to the headlight I wouldnt run my 80/100w halogen headlight because it scared me it would fry the wires. The wires on my passing lights dont look much better.

[sarges46]

Mike. On Marilyn old 1100 we had to stay with the 35. Harder to find but we got some at a RV dealer.

[Mikealiasmike]

Thanks everyone for the input. Decided to rewire the bar lights to relay and new fuse on it's own circuit. Also decided to keep with the 35W bulbs. Thinking it's worked well enough so far, just would have been nice to get a little more light. Thanks again for the links Vzuden.