H4 Bulbs, Relays and Amperage

[rizo-sri200]

Will my CB-1's Headlight wiring take a 100/80w bulb?

just so i dont fuck my bikes wiring and also is there a fuse for the headlights?

many thanks
Jon
____________________
swift kick to the wing mirror puts em straight..
98' Bandit 600 with Slip on

[Kickstart]

Hi

It may or may not take it, but if you are unsure get a relay or 2 and use the current wiring as triggers for the relay, then wire a heavier duty cable from the battery to the relay to provide power, and the same grade wire from the relay to the headlight.

Other point to watch out for is melting parts of the headlight, possibly even the reflector.

Years ago I ran a 100/80 bulb in my FZ750 but that melted the wiring to the ignition switch.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[tatters]

most PVC cable on bikes is:

1mm - 10 amps rating

or

1.5mm - 15 amps rating



so if you want to run a higher current, you need a higher rated cable, or you cable will fry like keiths
____________________
Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[Kickstart]

Hi

Further point is to check what the current wiring goes through. On the FZ for example the full current for the headlight and a fair few other circuits goes through the ignition switch.

100w 12V bulb will pull 8~9 amps.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[stinkwheel]

If in doubt, fit relays.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[rizo-sri200]

on the subject of amperage?

anyone know what the amperage of the battery is and what its charging/supply current is?

Thanks a Bunch
____________________
swift kick to the wing mirror puts em straight..
98' Bandit 600 with Slip on

[stinkwheel]

There will be a number on the side of the battery like YS9-B, the number is the amp rating.

Your bike PROBABLY has a 9A battery as it has an electric foot.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kickstart]

Hi

CB1 uses a YTX9BS battery according to the M&P catalogue I have here, so that will be 9ah.

Japanese market bikes often do not have particularly great charging systems.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[stinkwheel]

Power = V x I

so Current = power/voltage

voltage is 12v.

so a 80/100 watt bulb will draw a maximum of 6.6 and 8.3 amps respectivley.

But, your switches may not necessarily cope with this and fry their contacts. It is better to just fit the relays, they are not expensive.

I have done you a circuit diagram, relays are readily available and terminal numbering is universal (sizes differ). The colours may not be right for your bike. Use a 15A fuse (I use blades as they are easily bought from garages). You can probably get all of the stuff you need as a 'relay kit' from Halfords. Alternativley do a google for 'Vehicle Wiring Products'.

You should be able to fit the whole lot in your headlamp shell so you just have the two, heavier wires (live and earth) to run back to the battery. I usually take earths right back to the battery rather than bolting to the frame, one less thing to troubleshoot.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[stinkwheel]

I use this system on my MZ to power 200 watts of main beam in the form of CIBIE projector spots The way forwards when cars don't dip their lights
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[rizo-sri200]

Thanks You Stinkywheely

I know what im doing today then...
____________________
swift kick to the wing mirror puts em straight..
98' Bandit 600 with Slip on

[Kickstart]