Parking/pilot bulb change

Schurminater

Schurminater

Hero member
Location
Surrey Hills
I recently changed my pilot bulb to a 20W halogen bulb for improved daytime riding,is it necessary to fit a relay as part of this mod?.........a BMW rider at work questioned whether it would put added current through the switchgear ?

Thought i had better check.

Steve



 
Steve - I think you're still running the original (Bosch) alternator setup?  Just watch out if you use the bike at night with headlight on.  Your 20w pilot lamp will be on too and the combined load with DMC ignition; instrument & tail lights will flatten your battery more quickly than normal over time. 

You'll also be pulling more current through your ignition and handlebar switches which may not be up to snuff after 37 years.  The factory opted to fit a relay to switch the pilot off with the headlight on when they adopted the 20w pilot lamp for daytime running in 1980.  A simpler solution would be to fit an LED pilot. 

Phil is correct of course, but I'd still think about using relays for your headlight - makes quite a difference to its brightness by reducing volt drop, as well as giving your switches an easier time.  An ideal winter project!  :D

 
"A simpler solution would be to fit an LED pilot".
Same here.
Could also look at one of these high tech headlight modern insert setups and never have to worry about it. Powerful alternators are soon going the way of points.
 
I fitted an Osram LED, not cheap but quality stuff, no failure yet and bright for 1Watt.

Recommended previously on this forum - Details:

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Osram-LED-4000K-Warm-White-T4W-233-12V-1W-Led-Bulbs-Long-Life-3850WW-02B-BA9s/192060395857?epid=1534523483&hash=item2cb7b11151:g:I3gAAOSwK6RZLXVw
 
Rob said:
Steve - I think you're still running the original (Bosch) alternator setup?  Just watch out if you use the bike at night with headlight on.  Your 20w pilot lamp will be on too and the combined load with DMC ignition; instrument & tail lights will flatten your battery more quickly than normal over time. 

You'll also be pulling more current through your ignition and handlebar switches which may not be up to snuff after 37 years.  The factory opted to fit a relay to switch the pilot off with the headlight on when they adopted the 20w pilot lamp for daytime running in 1980.  A simpler solution would be to fit an LED pilot. 

Phil is correct of course, but I'd still think about using relays for your headlight - makes quite a difference to its brightness by reducing volt drop, as well as giving your switches an easier time.  An ideal winter project!  :D
Click to expand...

Okay thanks Rob,I haven't delved into the alternator set up on my bike yet so i can't confirm whether it has been upgraded or not, and i haven't ridden it at night yet either  :D though this will certainly change next year and i don't fancy getting caught short.

I will look into the relay side of things for the headlight,I am sure I have seen a mod detailed somewhere on this site?...... I wasn't aware of the factory move to 20W.

And will look at the LED option but stubbornly prefer old school bulbs on a classic :D......but thanks for the heads up.

Steve
 
Make sure that all your connections in the loom are clean/tight and I use conductor grease as the failure is usually at a connector not the loom itself. Also at the switch good idea to ensure contacts are clean and also conductor grease used.

I run a 20w pilot and a 90/110 head light globe and just did 2600 miles and am a lights on type guy and always ride with headlight on. 3C has standard alternator ( though I did change out the rectifier for a reg ( shh dont let the rivets know ) and didnt a flat battery.

Though admittedly we were not in stop start traffic situation as I do note that in traffic the alternator light will come on.
Unless your riding in traffic all night reckon you will be fine.
 
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