Headlight Question

I just purchased a 1987 Honda CMX250 Rebel for my Wife and it has an
incandesant style headlight bulb. I would like to update to an H-4 style
headlamp.

My question is:

Will the stock wiring be heavy enough to support the extra load of an H-4
style headlamp or will rewiring be necessary?

Thanks in advance,
Tom

 

You should be OK if your headlight wiring is about 16 gauge. You can
google for the "ampacity" of stranded copper wire if you want to be
sure what the exact current rating of a particular AWG wire size is.

Your headlight is 35/36.5W.

It draws about 3 amps @ 12 volts and the 55/60 H4 halogen will draw
about 5 amps.

I replaced the 30/30watt halogens in my FZR with 55/60's and the only
other thing I did was increase the fuse size because my bike has twin
headlights that are on at the same time.

You should probably use at least a 10 amp fuse in your lighting
circuit if there is a separate headlight fuse.

 

Thanks,

I'll check the wire size and check to see if the headlamp is fused
separately.

Tom

 

This sounds like the way to go if the sealed beam fits the bucket.

Thanks Bob,

Tom

 

Good point !!

Thanks,
Tom

 

I'm a demolitions expert. I always cut my fuzes long enough so I can
get far enough away from the effects of the blast. ;-)

Of course electrical fuses are sized to protect the wiring, but every
person who modifies an electrical system cannot automatically be
assumed to be an idiot.

Electrical technicans and engineers employ a rule of thumb safety
factor.

The fuse must be capable of carrying 2 or 3 times the expected
electrical load.

If the OP wants to install a bulb that pulls 5 amps, he needs a 10 amp
or 15 amp fuse on that circuit.