Maximum Wattage Output?

jay02904 · 07-23-2011, 01:17 PM

i just re-read the owners manual for my 08 1600 nomad and it said 120w max output. i added two 35w running lights and my 55w headlight plus the tail light and I am about 25w over the max. will this kill my battery or can my alternator handle it? i just don't wanna find out in the middle of no where! thanks :)

cactusjack · 07-23-2011, 01:32 PM

The bike itself uses some energy for the fuel pump, ignition, turn signals and fan, etc. That accounts for some of the 120W.

Yellow Jacket · 07-23-2011, 06:51 PM

Not sure where you're seeing 120W max output.
The service manual states that the output of the alternators is 42A at 14v at 6000rpm.
That translates to 588 watts.

**coacha** · 07-23-2011, 09:00 PM

I was going to say that don't sound right cause with just basic lights and running, the bike probably goes over 120 watts. If that were the case, my bike would die every time I went out for a ride :)

**ringadingh** · 07-23-2011, 11:52 PM

Ive never seen it as 120 watts either, 42 amps sounds right. perhaps the bike draws 120 in stock form. That would be my hunch.

recumbentbob · 07-24-2011, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

i just re-read the owners manual for my 08 1600 nomad and it said 120w max output. i added two 35w running lights and my 55w headlight plus the tail light and I am about 25w over the max. will this kill my battery or can my alternator handle it? i just don't wanna find out in the middle of no where! thanks :)

If you have a power outlet/cigarette lighter plug in behind the windshield get a plug in volt meter to monitor your system voltage. I l got mine at WalMart about $10

VulcanE · 07-24-2011, 08:53 AM

About a week before the rally, I installed a set of SunPro gauges in my fairing. The bike sitting at an idle, (with the passing lamps on, the stereo powering 4 speakers on, and all the running lights including the trunk lights) shows 14 volts. So I would say that the alternator/stators handles the load just fine.

upside22 · 07-24-2011, 09:34 AM

If I remember correctly the 120w is for the light circuit by itself. 12v times 10 amps = 120 watts. I think the light circuit is fused at 10 amps so this limit makes sense. If your aux lights are wired directly to the battery (via a relay or switch) on a separate fuse you shouldn't have any problem.

macmac · 07-24-2011, 09:39 AM

I run a full time meter the very same as Bob's. I also run 2 pair of passing lamps, One set is 55 watts each the other 35 watts each and I find I need to manage them.

The only other lighting added on is 2 candle power lamps for run/brake, which don't count for diddley squat.

The 6,000 rpm figure is sort of moot, since we can't get to 6,000 rpm. I bet most of us cruise at less than 3,500 rpm anyway.

That style meter Bob has is great and and soon as I get out of Moose Alley and the yellow led flickers on, I shut off one set of lamps. That meter makes the 2nd set of passing lamps work and it tells me when I have used the power up.

My hi beam is 110 watts with the snowmoblie bulb I have installed, so there is 110, the 55's are another 110, and the 2nd set is a total of 70 , nearly 300 watts off the bat, not counting the ecu, the coils, injection, and other related bling that runs all the time.

With both sets on the meter reads 13.4 or so and might be less pf a problem than I guess, but I don't want that chance. The yellow caution light comes on and one set of lamps go off.

recumbentbob · 07-24-2011, 09:46 AM

A snowmobile bulb

I'll have to check into that, sounds like it would put out a lot of light.

Do they hold up well, last a long time???

macmac · 07-24-2011, 09:51 AM

Of course they do. Thin k on that a second..... You can fly a sled and land it hard. 110 watts of light is just about right for Moose hunting too.

ponch · 07-25-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

Not sure where you're seeing 120W max output.
The service manual states that the output of the alternators is 42A at 14v at 6000rpm.
That translates to 588 watts.

When does a 1600/1500 engine hit 6000 RPMs?

recumbentbob · 07-25-2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

Not sure where you're seeing 120W max output.
The service manual states that the output of the alternators is 42A at 14v at 6000rpm.
That translates to 588 watts.

When does a 1600/1500 engine hit 6000 RPMs?

Just before it blows UP

jay02904 · 07-25-2011, 01:30 PM

ok so sounds like i am safe, maybe i misread it and 120w is the total drain on the bike as she sits. guess then my l.e.d.'s under and rear facing (3 strips total) 2x35w running bulbs and my 55w/65w headlight plus the bikes mandatory stuff and i should be fine.....hmmmmm what else can i add then

ponch · 07-25-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recumbentbob

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

When does a 1600/1500 engine hit 6000 RPMs?

Just before it blows UP

Exactly.

07-23-2011, 01:17 PM	#1
jay02904 Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 133	Maximum Wattage Output? i just re-read the owners manual for my 08 1600 nomad and it said 120w max output. i added two 35w running lights and my 55w headlight plus the tail light and I am about 25w over the max. will this kill my battery or can my alternator handle it? i just don't wanna find out in the middle of no where! thanks :) __________________ ~Jay 2008 Nomad 1600 Blue/Gray Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-23-2011, 01:32 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Maximum Wattage Output? The bike itself uses some energy for the fuel pump, ignition, turn signals and fan, etc. That accounts for some of the 120W. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

07-23-2011, 06:51 PM	#3
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	Maximum Wattage Output? Not sure where you're seeing 120W max output. The service manual states that the output of the alternators is 42A at 14v at 6000rpm. That translates to 588 watts. __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
	0

07-23-2011, 09:00 PM	#4
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Maximum Wattage Output? I was going to say that don't sound right cause with just basic lights and running, the bike probably goes over 120 watts. If that were the case, my bike would die every time I went out for a ride :) __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
	0

07-23-2011, 11:52 PM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Maximum Wattage Output? Ive never seen it as 120 watts either, 42 amps sounds right. perhaps the bike draws 120 in stock form. That would be my hunch. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-24-2011, 08:53 AM	#7
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Maximum Wattage Output? About a week before the rally, I installed a set of SunPro gauges in my fairing. The bike sitting at an idle, (with the passing lamps on, the stereo powering 4 speakers on, and all the running lights including the trunk lights) shows 14 volts. So I would say that the alternator/stators handles the load just fine. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
	0

07-24-2011, 09:34 AM	#8
upside22 Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 129	Maximum Wattage Output? If I remember correctly the 120w is for the light circuit by itself. 12v times 10 amps = 120 watts. I think the light circuit is fused at 10 amps so this limit makes sense. If your aux lights are wired directly to the battery (via a relay or switch) on a separate fuse you shouldn't have any problem.
	0

07-24-2011, 09:39 AM	#9
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Maximum Wattage Output? I run a full time meter the very same as Bob's. I also run 2 pair of passing lamps, One set is 55 watts each the other 35 watts each and I find I need to manage them. The only other lighting added on is 2 candle power lamps for run/brake, which don't count for diddley squat. The 6,000 rpm figure is sort of moot, since we can't get to 6,000 rpm. I bet most of us cruise at less than 3,500 rpm anyway. That style meter Bob has is great and and soon as I get out of Moose Alley and the yellow led flickers on, I shut off one set of lamps. That meter makes the 2nd set of passing lamps work and it tells me when I have used the power up. My hi beam is 110 watts with the snowmoblie bulb I have installed, so there is 110, the 55's are another 110, and the 2nd set is a total of 70 , nearly 300 watts off the bat, not counting the ecu, the coils, injection, and other related bling that runs all the time. With both sets on the meter reads 13.4 or so and might be less pf a problem than I guess, but I don't want that chance. The yellow caution light comes on and one set of lamps go off. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

07-24-2011, 09:46 AM	#10
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	Maximum Wattage Output? A snowmobile bulb I'll have to check into that, sounds like it would put out a lot of light. Do they hold up well, last a long time??? __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
	0

07-24-2011, 09:51 AM	#11
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Maximum Wattage Output? Of course they do. Thin k on that a second..... You can fly a sled and land it hard. 110 watts of light is just about right for Moose hunting too. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

07-25-2011, 01:30 PM	#14
jay02904 Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 133	Maximum Wattage Output? ok so sounds like i am safe, maybe i misread it and 120w is the total drain on the bike as she sits. guess then my l.e.d.'s under and rear facing (3 strips total) 2x35w running bulbs and my 55w/65w headlight plus the bikes mandatory stuff and i should be fine.....hmmmmm what else can i add then __________________ ~Jay 2008 Nomad 1600 Blue/Gray
	0

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