P1000 Triple Battery?

[P1K5Dave]

The new ones draw just under 12 amps. I haven't done the testing / math to find out what my total load is with lights and stereo. Most of them have published numbers but they're notoriously bad.

 

[Admin]

 

[P1K5Dave]

Fully lit. The cannons are the round ones on the bumper.

 

[Robobrainiac]

Well, perhaps the OIEM Honda alternator is more capable than I assumed.

I guess the question to ask is how much current do those large aux lighting racks draw?

Depending on the size choice, for example, one of the 6"ish vision x lights can pull a little over 4 amps each.

2 on each side for a total of 8 360 degree view lights could put you at almost 33 amps.

 

[HBarlow]

It would be interesting to know the total electrical load of a factory standard P1K. I think the factory lighting is all LEDs plus two fuel injectors and electronic ignition. Doesn't sound like a lot.

Perhaps adding 12 amps for aux lighting is manageable. But if you are also using a powerful audio system with big speakers and amplifiers to drive them you may be drawing 30 amps or more?

You could probably measure it with a good multimeter.

 

[HBarlow]

Depending on the size choice, for example, one of the 6"ish vision x lights can pull a little over 4 amps each.

2 on each side for a total of 8 360 degree view lights could put you at almost 33 amps.

That adds up very quickly.

 

[Robobrainiac]

It would be interesting to know the total electrical load of a factory standard P1K. I think the factory lighting is all LEDs plus two fuel injectors and electronic ignition. Doesn't sound like a lot.

Perhaps adding 12 amps for aux lighting is manageable. But if you are also using a powerful audio system with big speakers and amplifiers to drive them you may be drawing 30 amps or more?

You could probably measure it with a good multimeter.

Grab a fluke and probe away!

 

[HBarlow]

What does a replacement Honda Pioneer alternator cost and how challenging is replacement?

 

[Robobrainiac]

That adds up very quickly.

Some of the big singles can pull over 7 amps each. My understanding is they make some legitimately bright lights.

 

[Robobrainiac]

What does a replacement Honda Pioneer alternator cost and how challenging is replacement?

What is really interesting is that you have a single LED inside that vision x light canon. Versus a cheap 32" bar from Amazon with 68ish LEDs that advertise themselves as 180w or more. Then when you read thru reviews you will see people measuring draw on those cheap Amazon bars around 8ish amps

 

[P1K5Dave]

Depending on the size choice, for example, one of the 6"ish vision x lights can pull a little over 4 amps each.

These are 6.7" single LED, 70 watt. A pair draws 11.67 amps at 12V. VisionX is pretty specific on these numbers, so I'd say they're pretty good.

But yeah, some of my other stuff will be over rated. I could measure everything, but the answer will still be "too much."

Out on the trails last fall, I unplugged one cannon as a test and was able to run around OK. So I could most likely go to 4" cannons because a pair draws about that. Lose about 2,000 ft of throw, though...

 

[Robobrainiac]

These are 6.7" single LED, 70 watt. A pair draws 11.67 amps at 12V. VisionX is pretty specific on these numbers, so I'd say they're pretty good.

But yeah, some of my other stuff will be over rated. I could measure everything, but the answer will still be "too much."

Out on the trails last fall, I unplugged one cannon as a test and was able to run around OK. So I could most likely go to 4" cannons because a pair draws about that. Lose about 2,000 ft of throw, though...

Yeah they have alot of options to choose from on their website. They seem like top shelf stuff.

 

[bumperm]

What is really interesting is that you have a single LED inside that vision x light canon. Versus a cheap 32" bar from Amazon with 68ish LEDs that advertise themselves as 180w or more. Then when you read thru reviews you will see people measuring draw on those cheap Amazon bars around 8ish amps

The 54" Nilight light bar is advertised as 312 watts which would be 26 amps at 12 volts. I measured at 16.5 amps or 198 watts. Still, a very bright light.

 

[HBarlow]

The 54" Nilight light bar is advertised as 312 watts which would be 26 amps at 12 volts. I measured at 16.5 amps or 198 watts. Still, a very bright light. View attachment 328844

That's surprising and interesting.

I would have guessed the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer would claim lower than actual current draw.

 

[duratime]

I'm still waiting on my Pioneer 1000 to arrive, but on my 700, I can see the output shaft from the tranny, put a belt pully on it and somehow mount a small alternator above it. When you driving, you'll get more juice, of course it will cost you a few HP.

 

[bumperm]

That's surprising and interesting.

I would have guessed the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer would claim lower than actual current draw.

Yes, but what it's turned into is a "watts" advertising race. Most consumers have not a clue that lumens per watt (or efficiency) is a more relevant metric than simply the power consumed in watts.

It used to be, that 100 lumens per watt was considered by some to be the benchmark for efficient LED lighting for aircraft landing lights etc. In recent years, Phillips and probably others (I'm not really up on this field) have exceeded 200 lumens per watt - astonishing - at least to me anyway.

 

[john790]

Dave your stator hates you.If your bike puts out 50 amps i would say your pulling 75 amps or more.This means its full fielding all the time.Witch is not good for the charging system it might be damaged already and all these numbers would go down.Worse thing oil usally sticks to oil cooled stators that are hot.Thats why people with bad batteries in cars usually end up needing a new alt also because they cook them full fielded all the time.Not trying to piss on your parade but you have to cut draw.

 

[P1K5Dave]

Dave your stator hates you.If your bike puts out 50 amps i would say your pulling...

I've been running great for a few seasons on my setup prior to the cannons. They're just in testing.

 

[P1K5Dave]

Alright, after last night's outing, it has been determined:

THE CANNONS STAY!

It was only my third night running them, first one this season, and these lights are just too awesome to give up. They throw way, way out past my current lights.

I was running some tests with different combinations, keeping my eye on both voltmeters, taking some notes. As long as I don't run all of my lights together, it functions in normal range.

 

[HBarlow]

Voltage readings are probably not very helpful. You need an installed amp meter to measure actual current flow.

 

[bumperm]

Voltage readings are probably not very helpful. You need an installed amp meter to measure actual current flow.

Actually, accurate voltage readings are *very* helpful, IMO. That my 54" light bar is drawing 16.5 amps is nice to know, no question there. If my voltage is falling below 13.5 or so while running, I know that switching that big light off will likely make the difference I'm looking for. But having a panel mount ammeter, while nice, for sure isn't critical - system voltage is.

At rest, 12.6 volts is good. While cranking, staying above 10.5 is good. While running, voltage in the 13.5 to 14.7 range is good. If the voltage stays above 13.5 while running with accessories on, then the electrical system is keeping up with load demand.