Low- and high-beam together

[ned from PA]

In an earlier thread, someone suggested toggling the high-beam switch halfway between its two position to get both low- and high-beam to light simultaneously on a GS500.  I tried it and it works nicely.  The switch will stay in that position indefinitely if you leave it alone.

People were concerned that the light might overheat, but such two-filament bulbs are designed to run both circuits at the same time, as is done routinely with older cars that have four sealed-beam headlights.  On such cars, the two outermost bulbs have two filaments.  On high-beam, both filaments light.

My concern is not with the bulb but with the wiring harness.  I've never run both filaments for more than five minutes or so (on twisties at night).  I suppose if the wiring harness fuse doesn't blow, then there's no harm.

What about the charging system's output capacity, I wonder.  If the alternator cannot keep up, then you would begin draining the battery.

Any thoughts?

[twocool]

I think I remember reading in some owner's manual, (this bike or some other bike) not to do that.......!

They didn't explain why...

Cookie

[JB848]

In an earlier thread, someone suggested toggling the high-beam switch halfway between its two position to get both low- and high-beam to light simultaneously on a GS500.  I tried it and it works nicely.  The switch will stay in that position indefinitely if you leave it alone.

People were concerned that the light might overheat, but such two-filament bulbs are designed to run both circuits at the same time, as is done routinely with older cars that have four sealed-beam headlights.  On such cars, the two outermost bulbs have two filaments.  On high-beam, both filaments light.

My concern is not with the bulb but with the wiring harness.  I've never run both filaments for more than five minutes or so (on twisties at night).  I suppose if the wiring harness fuse doesn't blow, then there's no harm.

What about the charging system's output capacity, I wonder.  If the alternator cannot keep up, then you would begin draining the battery.

Any thoughts?

Silly Rabbit tricks are for kids! Um during the day for more visability to other drivers? I guess why not. And no it will not hurt anything...er except the total candle light hours of both bulbs.....your life vs replacement bulbs...priceless!

[Big Rich]

The output of the charging system should be in the service manual - and i wouldn't think that it can handle the 115 watts from having both lights on for long. Just my guess though.

[JB848]

Um yeah what Big Rich said

[tt_four]

There's not really a need to have both on all the time. If it's for day time visibility to cars, the high beam is plenty bright enough, and I don't know that the low would help you much anyway since it's angled down. If you're on a back road at night it definitely helps to have both on, but that's really the only time there's a benefit. I'd just turn it on when you're riding in the dark and there's no cars around, and you shouldn't have any issues with your charging system.

[JB848]

Theoretically speaking that's what I said twice!

[TheRealSpinner]

I was out riding the other night when I came to a quiet neighborhood in the mountains that I was unfamiliar with.  I slowed down, but kept my high beam on.  I noticed that since I was trying to drive quietly, I had my RPMs between 3500-4500.  After riding a couple minutes like this, I noticed hat my headlight would dim.  It wasn't drastic, but it was noticable.  Once I returned to higher RPMs, the problem went away.

If you look at how to check the charging system, it says to rev the motor to 5000 RPM to make sure that the system is charging.  Now, I don't know when the charging system actually turns on, nor do I know how much output the charging system puts out, but if you do a lot of low RPM driving, I would advise against running both lights.

Also, I had stated before about my prblem with the plug getting hot and melting from drving with too bright of a bulb.  The wires and everythig else were fine, it the the plug being in such a small, hot environment that experienced the problem.

-SPiNNeR-

[JB848]

Not sure I guess I will have to do some research.

Alternator= RPMS dont matter (alternating current twice the charge DC through the converter)

Generator= more RPMS higher the voltage output (Direct DC current)

So the question is what does the GS500 have?

I would guess a Generator? Any Help?

[yurtinus]

OEM generator is 200W. In one of the Electrojake threads, he says the stock bike pulls about 110W - so add to that the power draw from the high beam filament (that 110 already includes the low beam). I *think* you'll be OK from the point of view of the generator provided you aren't running any other electric doodads. I would worry more about heat from the bulb damaging other components (housing on the F model, cable harnessing on the E). Just because the light bulb and run both filaments doesn't mean the equipment it attaches to can handle the heat.

Not saying it won't work, but it is something to keep in mind.


Original post:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53742.msg606094#msg606094

[JB848]

So there you go..if you want to run both lights..which is your choice..keep her revved!

Like I said before your life is priceless so do what makes "YOU" feel safe!

[twocool]

From Suzuki GS500F owner's manual 2009, page 3-8:

CAUTION

Holding the dimmer switch between (high beam) and (low beam) position will light both (high beam) and (low beam) headlight beam.  This operation can damage the motorcycle.

Use the dimmer switch only at (high beam) or (low beam) position.


As we say in our shop, "RTFM".........

Cookie

[ned from PA]

The GS500 uses an alternator (AC + rectifier) rather than a DC generator.

If the bike needs 110 W for normal running, and the alternator can put out 200 W, then there is 90 W in reserve for heated gloves or perhaps running both headlight filaments together occasionally for short times.

Good point about the heat surrounding the bulb.  I only run both filaments on the few miles of twisty roads that lead to my house, and only at night.

[ameen]

sorry to kind of hi-jack the thread but it seems to fit the conversation:

when i brake or put on the directionals, my headlight dimms slightly.  If the charging system has more than enogh power, should this happen.  or do i have an elctrical problem?

[twocool]

There may be more to it than the output of the charging system.......

Wire gauge?
Circuit breaker/fuse?

Probably if they took the trouble to put it in the manual to "don't do that"...then don' tdo that!

Cookie

[sledge]

I would be concerned about the switch, more specifically the contacts inside it and the amount of current they are seeing that they were probably not designed to handle.

[zirconx]

Not sure I guess I will have to do some research.

Alternator= RPMS dont matter (alternating current twice the charge DC through the converter)

Generator= more RPMS higher the voltage output (Direct DC current)

So the question is what does the GS500 have?

I would guess a Generator? Any Help?

Both cars and motorcycles generate more electrical power at higher RPM, even if they use different methods for generating that power.

Running both high & low beam at idle will discharge the battery for sure.  I don't know at what RPM point it will start to charge, but its pretty easy to find out.

[twocool]

I would be concerned about the switch, more specifically the contacts inside it and the amount of current they are seeing that they were probably not designed to handle.

Yes, good point.........another weak spot in the system.......(well not weak if used correctly)

Cookie

[ohgood]

with a led tail light, i noticed no dimming of the headlight while using hi and low, and pressing the brake lever. with the incandescent light, it would dim. this is at idle. also using the signals (non led) would dim the headlight. it was barely perceptable (as was the brake light) but worth mentioning.

i've also ridden with hi/low on at night for 15-20 minutes during dark/bumpy areas and suffered nothing in charging problems. i did disassemble my switches to clean corrosion once or twice and didn't see any signs of heat.

the headlight socket didn't show signs of heat also. i would imagine the RR is dumping that extra (extra, on a gs!) 100W in the form of heat, so using it in the light maybe fine.

as far as the manual goes, it's pretty spot on for things. your milage may vary ?