Forum

[Matt]

Hi everyone.
I've not been on here for a long time but my interest in bikes has been peaked recently.
Up until now I've only ridden Bullets, however, now I've got a Himalayan and I'm loving it.
I'm hoping to fit heated grips which will pull up to 4 ams.
There's already auxiliary LED spot lights which I think pull about 3 amps. They're fed from a relay triggered by the high beam switch.
Does anyone know how many amps the alternator/ magneto in the Himalayan can spare?
Is there anyway to test it?
Cheers. I hope you're all doing well.

[stinkwheel]

Are the spots really drawing 3 amps? The H4 LED headlamp I just fitted only draws 1.6A.

[Matt]

I've not measured them but they claim to be 40 watts the pair which is 3.3 amps.
There are two of them.

[Matt]

Confirmed. The LED spots pull 3.25 amps so the rated power is about right.
If I can't find out the rating of the magneto/ alternator on the Himalayan I'll just connect the accessories I want and measure the voltage to make sure I'm still getting a good charge.
At worst I suppose I'll have to avoid high beam at tickover etc.

[Wheaters]

LED spotlights are often confusingly rated as giving out the equivalent light of an old fashioned 40 watt filament.

Just a thought...

[PeteF]

Matt, no need to "avoid high beam at tickover"

That's one reason you have a battery - it discharges when you are using more than you're producing (starting is a good example when you are using LOTS of amps but producing none) and then recharges when the charge exceeds the load.
I don't know what the Himalayan produces but my old Classic 350 manages hot grips with no bother and that's KS only with a tiny battery.
I'd be very surprised if it couldn't cope.

[Matt]

Thanks Pete.
It turns out that it copes fine. I've even got a 1 amp heated seat pad that I've connected up too.
Full beam, LED spots, heated grips on full, heated seat pad and phone charger USB and the voltage on the battery is always 13v or more.
Happy days.