A question for all of you electrical gurus. How much more draw on the electrical system would there be by changing the stock 880 27w bulb to an 886 50w bulb??? Would it be within safe limits???

 

The 50 watt bulb only pulls 1.91 additional amps compared to the 27 watt bulb. You will be just fine.

 

Damn that was quick. Thanks!!!!!

 

Two 27 W bulbs draw a total of 4.5 amps. The two 50W bulbs would draw a total of 8.3 amps, or an increase of 3.7 amps. You need to check the fuse that run those lights, find out what else is on that circuit and see if the fuse will handle and additional 4 amps. You also need to see if the wiring to each bulb will handle 4 amps per lamp vs. the 2 amps that is running through each lamp wiring now.

 

Steve, just wait until you install your new HID. The passing lamps will be drowned out. Just wait as you will not need to spend or do more work. Let me lnow.. BTW Ohms Law

 

14.5 v & 55 w X 2 = 7.85714285714285 amps

 

Gonna be a few weeks before I have the time to get it installed Howard. This is just a quick fix for more light right now. The days are getting shorter and I'm not getting out of work any earlier.

 

Your alternator should handle the increased current load...the problem you will run into is the increased "heat" inside the passing lamps. I did the same on my 03 HSC, it about melted and "fogged" my inside lens.

I found the 35W to be the much better choice as it does not seem to produce a lot of heat.

- DC

 

I've changed over my lamps from stock 35w to 50's and have only noticed heat increase in the lamp enclosure. So far no problem with stock wiring, fusing or current load increase.

I don't recommend going any higher with out adding relays and providing direct straight shot current to relay from battery with inline fuse protection.

It would be nice to have true "HID" Aux lighting!! Bit costly though and may take some fancy install for it to look right!

 

You are correct but there is more to thank about. Your passing lamps have lens's that are spot lights which scatterers the light all around you. Very short distance in front.

It just so happened that I just received a delivery of my fork mounts for my spots (I use an inverted 54mm fork) as 41 & 49mm are easy to get. I have both 3" & 4 1/2" spots. I am going to buy a pair of H-3 HID's and see what happens. I think that the lens on the 4 1/2" needs to be changed to a headlight type and at the same time will convert later bikes from a HD only bulb base to a standard H-3. I'll let you know how it works out. There is lots to know and test to make sure it works. I plan on testing with a thermometer & than take it to the golf course for night shots.