Hello,

Can you tell me if I can add additional items to the S40 without it dying.  I want to add some speakers, an amp, and the Vipor speedometer . Will I be okay to do so?

Thanks in advance!

If you use an HID headlight (replacing the standard H4 bulb) and replace the other lights with LED lights, you'll have enough watts to handle what you want.  

Like Serowbot says, your 12v system can only crank out so much amperage.  Volts X amps = watts.  If you want amps for goodies like sound systems, you'll have to save them from somewhere else, like using an HID headlight.  

Unfortunately, the S40 charging system can't handle much more than its stock load.  
-- I put an LED voltmeter on mine temporarily to see what effect it had when I used an electric jacket.  
-- With the jacket switched off, the voltage at cruise (maybe 3000 rpm) is around 13.8 to 14 volts.  
-- With the jacket on, the voltage is about 13 volts.  The battery is just barely being charged.
-- This tells me the charging system is getting fully taxed with just one electric jacket.  If it had any "headroom" it would show no drop in voltage with the jacket on.
-- An HID headlight is in my near future

 
Your GPS and extra brake light won't draw enough current to make any difference.   Lots of folks have those on the Savage right now.

A speaker amplifier draws more serious power, as does heated clothing.

Let's see, the least item that I remember drawing a Savage down into a discharge state was a complete light bar set with like 4 lights on it.   And the person was able to fix that by changing the bulbs to lower wattage bulbs.

Use search and look for light bars and alternator outputs and you will likely find your calculated amp draw limits for extra stuff.

Whenever we dig it all up again, we need to put the number into the "stuff every newbie should know".

Simple answer, 2 sets of 55/60w headlights, but not 3.

But it also depends upon your use.
Hop on the bike start her up, flip all the lights on, drive 15 minutes to work at 25 mph and you'll have a dead battery within a couple of days, even w/a stock headlight setup.

But, wait till you hit 50 and then flip the extra lights on and a half hour commute and you could be ok.

You just have to realize that peak power doesn't occur till after about 3k rpm's and you need some time at low power draw to charge up the battery.  And once you come down out of the clouds and prepare to land, these accessaries need to be shut off.

thumperclone wrote on 10/15/12 at 12:26:47:


Unicycle is out of Ft Collins.  I have their system on my other bike and want to put it on the S40.  I will look into changing out the lights to LEDs  or just use earbuds.    

Word of advice ColoS40Girl,  be careful when you put the magnetic bolt in for the speed sensor for the vapor speedo,  it won't take the torque of the standard rotor bolts and the head will snap off easily,  use some locktite and just get it good and snug.

R.F.

ColoS40Girl wrote on 10/17/12 at 19:55:35:


Not to worry, your brother in law will definitely understand once he reads the install instructions and sees my tip as well.

I can only tell you anecdotal evidence.  Hook up what you want and run it.  If your battery goes dead, you're drawing too much.  

verslagen1 wrote on 10/15/12 at 09:15:35:


This may be the best way to tell if your equipment draws too much.  Hook it up and go fer a ride... a short one.
Gyrobob wrote on 10/14/12 at 19:19:11: