SWing - how much spare current available for add on's?

hi people,

been fitting various bits on the scoot all fused safe and proper, and was wondered just how much spare current is actually safely available for running these extra bit's on a '10 model?.


regs
Alan

I'm not aware of any changes to the 10 model year so it shouldnt be any different than any previous year.

That said, I have never seen anyone overload the power requirements on a swing, and trust me you don't have nearly the draw some people have.
I'm talking
Heated clothing plugged into swing power, heated grips extra 55w lights, gps radar detector, camera, and even in one case a power inverter.

I'm sure there will be someone along soon with a manual that will give you exact figures, but unless you are making it a point to try and use more power than produced, you will have a hard time doing so with add-ons that are useful. Just make sure that all your add-ons are key dependent, so they
will turn off when the bike does.

Dan

Ive used 120 watts before with no problems(heated gloves,heated jacket, heated pants , heated socks, and gps.)

thanks guys,

i've not gone mad yet with power fittings (big yet

so far heated grips and added 2 x 55watt running lights. i use my phone for GPS which has a negligible draw.

my trade is security systems installations, so my engineers 'mentality' for technicalities kicks in, i do have a full copy of but could not see in the official Honda W/Shop manual any ratings for surplus power limit to accessories.

my previous ride was a Piaggio X9 500 Evo, not a lot of spare power on that scoot, and you can easily trash the didgidash if not careful, hence being cautious i'm prudently asked the question, before i have an expensive mobile barby.

but sounds though as i need not over worry

just a note for those adding bits, Halfords sell a relay with a built in fuse carrier for £8, bit more expensive than a usual standard auto relay from Maplins, but way way cheaper than having a fire or burnt out loom.

regs
Alan

According to the Honda Service Manual, the alternator provides 441 watts at 5000 rpm. I do not know how many watts are used by the machine while in use. However, here are some listings for the lighting:

Headlights are 55 + 55 watts each
Turn signals front and rear and brake lights are 21 watts each
License plate and tail lights are 5 watts each
While the book does not specify, it looks like the front position lights run about 5 watts each unless in use as a turn signal
Trunk light is 3.4 watts
Dash lights are LED, so I would consider it insignificant.

So, during operation, you could be running:
headlight, headlight, indicator, indicator, indicator, indicator, license - 80-135 watts depending on whether you use one or both headlights

If you are using the brakes:
h, h, i, i, l, brake, brake - 112-167 watts

If you are using the brakes and the turn signals at the same time:
h, h, i, l, t, t, b, b - 149 -204 watts

I do not know how much wattage the engine uses during operation, but it looks like you could have as much as 360 watts spare capacity if you only use one headlight. It could drop to as little as 237 watts if you use both headlights, the turn signals and brakes at the same time. All this assumes that the seat is not open while you are riding. Remember, the charging spec is at 5000 rpm, and is probably less at idle.

Considering that you probably won't have the turn signal or brakes on for long, we seem to have a lot of spare capacity most of the time. It seems that Honda overbuilt this too.

I run some Wal-Mart lights much of the time. They run 50 watts each, and I never have any starting issues or low voltage.

Does anyone know how much wattage the engine consumes during use?

Philip

hi Phillip,

wow that was an in depth bit of work, i was expecting something simple like 'according to Honda Release XXX.X Part C Sub 4 - accessory supply rated at 15 amps' so and thank you for your excellent Stirling efforts.

like you say, seems plenty of spare capacity available , power consumption for the engine i would think to be for fuel pump say 30 watts and electronic ignition say 50 watts, with the battery near flat perhaps allow another 100 watts for charging.

break and indicator lights i think can be safely discounted, as they are not permanantly on, and the battery would fill in any short term supply capacity 'gaps'.

i've removed my luggage bulb because the seat lock is an unreliable pia design imo, either i can't get the middle catch to release or it won't secure even when empty (grrr!), so not the best idea i've, have already experienced one flat battery because of it.

the light is obviously convenient, so in the short term i plan to fit a switch in the compartment, but later a bleep that sounds 30 seconds after the ignition is switched of if the light is getting power, might fit a simple timer to control the light for 5 mins continuous then auto off, and considering fitting a flexible stick of blue LEDs for that custom look and lower consumption.

regs and thanks again
Alan

Alan,
Check out this thread regarding the trunk light switch.

http://silverwing.org/cgi-bin/topic_show.pl?tid=727

I don't like 100% load .
I will say 90 % is the maximum .
And more happy at 80% or less.

eddy wrote:

I don't like 100% load .
I will say 90 % is the maximum .
And more happy at 80% or less.

think most would agree with you Eddy, and why i posed the question,

otherwise how will we know what is 100% to only use 80%

regs
ALan