70 watt headlights

[twv60s]

I have an 06 Goldwing with CSC trike kit and was wanting to change headlights to 70 watt. Will wiring and fusing handle the additional wattage?

 

[Gold Rush]

It looks like the current capability of the head lamp relay will be the deciding factor. The wire should carry enough current if the relay will.. Take your seat off and pull the relay. It should have the rating printed on it....

 

[Scott1]

I would not put 70 watt bulbs in the headlights do to the wiring may not handle the extra wattage draw.

I installed HID bulbs in my GW1800 and they work great. The install was fairly easy and straightforward. I only put them in the low beams and the color is a bright white @ 5000k. I ordered the H7 35watt HID 5000k kit from DDM Tuning HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning and the kit cost $40 plus shipping. The 55 watt bulbs are to bright. You can put the 35 watt bulbs in both low & high beams but I only put them in the low beams. The bulbs installed in the high beams will not come on fast enough do to the bulbs have to warm up to get to full brightness which takes about 20 seconds.

I also installed the low beam cut out from Electrical Connection so the low beam headlights do not come on until the engine starts. EC - Honda GL1800 Low Beam (HID) Headlight Cutout Harness

I also installed HID H3 bulbs 5000k in the fog lights but that was a little harder. I have the Show Chrome\Big Bike Parts fog lights. H3 HID HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning @ 5000k

More information @ Gl1800 Riders post DDM Tuning HID light aiming problem It shows how to modify the spacer for the low beam lights.

More information @ Gl1800 Riders post Bright Healight bulbs

 

[Gold Rush]

I would not put 70 watt bulbs in the headlights do to the wiring may not handle the extra wattage draw.

I wouldn't worry as much about the "wattage draw" ( actually current ) as I would the heat generated by the bulb and the relay capability. 70 watts @ 12 vdc is less then 6 amps. I know that wire will carry more then that... I expect the lamps would draw closer to 5 amps @ 13.8 vdc.....

The HID set up just might be a very good option. I don't have any personal experience but they sound good....

 

[glmarker]

I installed the Gold Wing HID kit on my low beams the other day. Nice simple plug & play operation, although higher priced than the DDM parts. They do seem to be almost an "instant on" and the Gold Wing HID ads reflect that they can be sued for high beam also. Definately much brighter that stock, so I am sure I can be seen easier by oncoming traffic. Haven't had a chance to try them at night yet.

Gary

 

[Dean H]

Scott1, looks like you did a good job with bulb replacements. If you want to go one more step and get a great appearance, put a modulator on the fog lights. I did it on my GL1800 and really gives a creative affect.

 

[Scott1]

Scott1, looks like you did a good job with bulb replacements. If you want to go one more step and get a great appearance, put a modulator on the fog lights. I did it on my GL1800 and really gives a creative affect.

I have yellow lens protectors on my fog lights and everyone comments that they can see me very well in the group when riding even when I am in the rear as tail gunner. The yellow really stands out with the DDM HID bulbs installed in them. Also I do not like a modulator in lights because it calls out to much attention to the police, distracts the oncoming drivers and is very annoying to fellow bikers. JMO. GREG

 

[Blackwillow]

Hey Scott, trying to do a search on replacing fog light bulbs and this is the only thread that showed up.

Can you tell me how to get the bulb out of the holder.
I have removed the tiny Philips (2) screws where the pigtail connectors come out but feel some resistance as I try to get the cap off. Do not want to damage anything.:xzqxz:

Thanks in advance.

 

[Blackwillow]

Went and had another look at this setup and found I was able to pull the cover plate up and let the wires slide through the little grommet still attached to the bulb inside, removed one remaining little Philips screw to release a clip holding the bulb down. pepper
Now tomorrow off to the parts supplier to get replacements.
Funny thing was I knew one bulb was blown or let me say did not fire up but when I checked for continuity between terminals of both bulbs they showed both open. then I checked voltage at the feeds to these lights and got 11.89vdc. Whats the chances of 2 bulbs blowing in such a time span as a week???