How many watts can I use?

[Redline +]

I'm thinking of adding/upgrading my lighting. I've read the stock Valk alternator produces around 550 watts. How much of that 550 watts is available for accessories?

How much power is used by a stock Valk cruising down the road? What should be considered a maximum continuous load without contributing to early alternator failure?

I understand about using relays and proper wire sizing so we don't need to go there...just curious if there is a consensus on how many watts are available.

I don't want to let the smoke out!

Redline 

[Bobbo]

The stock ignition probably only uses 2-3 amps max, and the lighting would use 5-7 amps, so it looks like the Standard/Tourer setup would need less than 10 amps (~125 Watts). Interstate models may need 2 or 3 amps more for the extra lighting.  Typical engineering maximums are 80% capacity, so doing the math, I end up with about 300 watts available on the non-Interstate models, and about 250 for the Interstate.  As with anything, running near capacity will shorten the life of the alternator.

[Valker]

From my reading, I figured my stock Tourer used about 250 watts of the 545 available. This told me that if I went over 295 watts of extras, I'd be discharging. I run MotoLights with (2) 50 watt bulbs. I also run PIAA 510s which use (2) 55 watt bulbs. I also frequently run a Gerbing jacket liner at 77 watts. The Gerbing gloves are 45 watts. Running everything, I counted this as 332 watts. I ran the MotoLights all the time. PIAAs are added at night as needed. Same with electric clothes. I used a 90watt headlight almost all the time. All that said, my original alternator was still going strong when I replaced it at 96,000 miles. I did get a higher output alternator for a replacement, just in case.

[Redline +]

From my reading, I figured my stock Tourer used about 250 watts of the 545 available. This told me that if I went over 295 watts of extras, I'd be discharging. I run MotoLights with (2) 50 watt bulbs. I also run PIAA 510s which use (2) 55 watt bulbs. I also frequently run a Gerbing jacket liner at 77 watts. The Gerbing gloves are 45 watts. Running everything, I counted this as 332 watts. I ran the MotoLights all the time. PIAAs are added at night as needed. Same with electric clothes. I used a 90watt headlight almost all the time. All that said, my original alternator was still going strong when I replaced it at 96,000 miles. I did get a higher output alternator for a replacement, just in case.

Thanks Valker, I was thinking of a similar electrical load. I use the Gerbing jacket liner and gloves now. Currently have 35 watts on the light bar... upgrading to 55. Adding 50 watt landing lights to the engine guard. I may upgrade the headlight bulb too.

I was thinking with that load one might have to choose to stay warm... or... see where your going! Glad to hear you were able to do both with your stock alternator. So you replaced it as a preventative measure? Which HO alternator did you install?

Redline 

[ptgb]

From a November 2010 thread:


Here's a nice primer on electrical loads/capacity for various motorcycles, including our Valks. Can't vouch for its accuracy, but it is by a "real" company - Powerlet, not some garage jockey (not that there's anything wrong with that  ).


http://www.powerlet.com/learningCenter/excessCapacity

[Valker]

From my reading, I figured my stock Tourer used about 250 watts of the 545 available. This told me that if I went over 295 watts of extras, I'd be discharging. I run MotoLights with (2) 50 watt bulbs. I also run PIAA 510s which use (2) 55 watt bulbs. I also frequently run a Gerbing jacket liner at 77 watts. The Gerbing gloves are 45 watts. Running everything, I counted this as 332 watts. I ran the MotoLights all the time. PIAAs are added at night as needed. Same with electric clothes. I used a 90watt headlight almost all the time. All that said, my original alternator was still going strong when I replaced it at 96,000 miles. I did get a higher output alternator for a replacement, just in case.

Thanks Valker, I was thinking of a similar electrical load. I use the Gerbing jacket liner and gloves now. Currently have 35 watts on the light bar... upgrading to 55. Adding 50 watt landing lights to the engine guard. I may upgrade the headlight bulb too.

I was thinking with that load one might have to choose to stay warm... or... see where your going! Glad to hear you were able to do both with your stock alternator. So you replaced it as a preventative measure? Which HO alternator did you install?

Redline 

I replaced with the MARS HO unit. I originally planned to just replace the brushes, but it was just easier to replace the whole thing.

[Redline +]

From a November 2010 thread:


Here's a nice primer on electrical loads/capacity for various motorcycles, including our Valks. Can't vouch for its accuracy, but it is by a "real" company - Powerlet, not some garage jockey (not that there's anything wrong with that  ).


http://www.powerlet.com/learningCenter/excessCapacity

Thanks ptgb, I missed that in my search. 

Redline 

[Bobbo]

From a November 2010 thread:


Here's a nice primer on electrical loads/capacity for various motorcycles, including our Valks. Can't vouch for its accuracy, but it is by a "real" company - Powerlet, not some garage jockey (not that there's anything wrong with that  ).


http://www.powerlet.com/learningCenter/excessCapacity

I guess when a "real company" and a "garage jockey" come up with the same answers, it must be true!