I want to add some LED fog lights to the crash bars on my '02 F650GS and the ones I'm looking at draw 60 watts each, 120 total at 13.50VDC on my bench top power supply. What kind of power is really available on this bike and what are the limits for adding electrical accessories? I'll have a USB port and a phone being charged as well as the regular stuff like the EFI, ABS and regular lighting. Opinions, your additions and suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!
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I want to add lights, but how much can it handle?
- Thread starter john90xj
- Start date
This site indicates 400 watts.
If I located the correct bike.
OM
If I located the correct bike.
OM
I appreciate that. Giving it more thought I suppose the correct question should have been what is the native wattage draw just for running the bike? I know my stator is supposed to generate 400 watts but I'm not sure at what engine speed, what it is at idle, what the inherent regular draw is and can I add as much as I am thinking about? Just using 12 volts against the two primary function fuse ratings (20 + 15) I get 420 watts. To not blow the fuses the load has to be less but what it is I don't know. How much could the battery be drawn down using additional lighting?
pauls1150
MOA #24991, south of Los Angeles
Dunno the max that the alternator can safely supply, AND keep the battery happily charged, but your bench test works out to a current draw of 8.9 amps ... seems like a lot for the system to handle. 
There was some advice in a recent O/N to change the oil more frequently, since that oil is also responsible for cooling the alternator.
There was some advice in a recent O/N to change the oil more frequently, since that oil is also responsible for cooling the alternator.
zer0netgain
Active member
Also, depending on what will control them, some devices have a time delay so there is no draw at startup.
Which lights were you going to use that draw that much wattage?
I've tested & evaluated several sets over the last year and I had set aside a pair of Kewig LED lights but when I bench tested them they were drawing far more than the stated 60 watts a pair, they were actually close to 60 watts each. Since then I've found a subsequent set of Kewig, the model K11S, that draw 30 watts each and they went on the bike Saturday. Three flashing modes, plus amber and white, good spread, definitive upper cutoff and a nice harness and fittings.
Link: https://a.co/d/cef5WWB
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