Successful Helix Headlight Setup?

[supertoast92]

Hi everyone, while my Helix is still out for the count until I take apart the CVT for the 5th time or so I wanted to fix the light issue I'm having. I bought two 55 watt lights from Walmart half a year ago, wired it all up to the key and a switch (so the key overrides when I turn the kart off), which works perfectly except for one thing...

Everytime I run the lights the battery eventually dies after an hour of use. Now I do realize that the Helix isn't designed for the extra load of lights, and I hear that it has a smaller generator (6 pole stator or something of the like), but I was wondering if there was an easier fix, such as finding smaller wattage lights? Even without running the lights, the battery significantly weakens once a month, but I think that's normal since I don't run it often (especially with all the problems I've been having with it).

Can anyone recommend a simple replacement? It would be awesome if there are smaller lights that run off the same wires that came with the kit I got at Walmart, and I'll probably have to upgrade to the larger battery that the Carbide runs with (BS12). Of course I'd hate to sacrifice brightness though, but can't do much about that

[olderthan]

ohttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HID-REPLACEMENT-BALLAST-35-Watt-H1-H4-H7-H8-9005-9006_W0QQitemZ220539752668QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotor s_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item33593190dcn try this link first or in ebay put in 35w bulb
olderthan

[KID4LIFE]

i have a bigger stator but if you are running 55w halogen lights they are pulling 4.5 amps each. i run two 35w rubber work lamps on the top of my buggy and two 55w halogen sealed beam bulbs. the sealed beam bulbs draw less amps than an h1 or h3 bulb. the 35w bulbs are a GE 4411 and the 55w bulbs are the GE H7610. they are both the 4" round shown in my avatar pic. i also just upgraded my battery to a YTX16-BS which gives me 14A/HR compared to the stock battery at 10A/HR. my 35w bulbs draw 2.73 amps each and the 55w draw 3.92 amps each. the two 55w give off plenty of light for night riding and i only use the other two if i need to.
hope that helps.

[KID4LIFE]

the best thing about the lights i run is that they only cost about 10-12 apiece. a lot cheaper than the fancy chrome h3 style.

[olderthan]

kid4life
where do you buy your 4411 lights at
olderthan

[KID4LIFE]

i sell both the 4411 and the h7610 at work. the 4" black rubber work lights i have on the top of my buggy come with the 4411 bulb or i have just the bulbs. i just put the h7610 bulbs in those housings so they all match.

[ckau]

Two 35 watt bulbs is all a 6 pole stator can handle without causing battery drain. The trick is to use high quality, good reflective housings, and replace the 55's with a couple of 35's. this will keep the system within limits and improve the lighting.

[KID4LIFE]

supertoast,
if you can give me the number of the bulb you currently run, i can look up the amperage draw and find you a comparable 55w light so it will not drain your system.

[ckau]

Originally Posted by KID4LIFE

supertoast,
if you can give me the number of the bulb you currently run, i can look up the amperage draw and find you a comparable 55w light so it will not drain your system.

now that would be sweet to find such a bulb.

[KID4LIFE]

can you supply a number?? i'll check it out for you. i need the actual bulb number. should be inked on it or stamped in the base.

[supertoast92]

Sorry for the extremely delayed response, I've been so focused on repairing the CVT that I haven't been paying attention to this electrical section!

The only thing I see on the base is as such:

H3 12V55W

So 12 volt, 55 watt H3 bulbs. Bought these at Walmart in the fall of 2009. The casing for these lights is a mere 2 or 3 inches wide, 2 inches tall.

Just out of curiosity, would it be better if I bought the headlights in the part list for the Carbide? They're probably designed for the GY6 setup, electrical wise. I'd get a BS12 battery to go along with it also. However, I might end up having to rewire our current setup.