Replacement bulbs for Cobra Light Bar (VN900)

[Hacker]

I know about the BP1210H4 replacement for the 900 headlight. I would also like to swap out the stock bulbs in the Cobra Light Bar for something more powerful. Any suggestions on a bulb that won't overtax the 900's electrical system? I just want bulbs that "plug'n play" without having to fool with new relays, etc.......

[Hacker]

Bumpity-bump. C'mon guys, I know SOMEBODY in here had to have changed these bulbs out.......

[REFUGIO]

They are H3 bulbs. You can upgrade to 35watt bulbs or even 55watt bulbs.
Do you already have your lightbar on a seperate circuit? If you do...you can use the 55watt bulbs. I used the 55watt bulbs for 2 years on my 900 and had no problems what so ever. I also use the 55watt bulbs on my Nomad that I have now.
Just change the bulbs to a higher wattage.

[N3FOLN3FOL]

+1 on Refugio's tips. I really think that the 25W H3 bulbs are bright enough, assuming that you have them beamed on the right direction. 35W H3's are a lot easy to acquire, but depending on the wiring of bar...this alternative should not pose a problem on your electrical connection. Personally, I think 55W is an overkill especially when you have your high beams on at the same time.

[nomidlname]

Just go with the 55w H3 lamps. The 25w lamps are almost impossible to find and the 35w are semi-hard to find. I've had zero issues with running the 55w H3's in my cobra light bar. The brighter the lamp the more Cagers are more likely to see you and not kill you. 55W H3 lamps run about 5 bucks or less and you can get them anywhere.

[brwdarr]

I had to replace mine bulbs a few days ago. wanted the 35 watts but couldn't find any. couldn't find the 25 watt bulb either. even went to the local honda motrcycle dealer, but all they had was 55 watt. I went ahead and bought a couple. later that day saw some h3 55 watt bulbs at advance auto parts. 55 watt bulbs are alot eaiser to find. I run my spots on low beam off on an access. relay. I'm still worry it may be to much on the system, because I used a napa 80-100 watt headlight bulb. low beams will be pulling 190 total watts. can anyone tell me if this is to much? without the relay I wouldn't used the 55 watts bulb. be to much on the fuse.

[N3FOLN3FOL]

The first 25W bulb that I purchased was from my dealer and it came from a Honda parts and accessories package. Their parts representative stated that the Goldwing uses 25W H3 bulbs as an OEM replacement. COBRA sells them for $7.00 + each by this time.

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by REFUGIO

They are H3 bulbs. You can upgrade to 35watt bulbs or even 55watt bulbs.
Do you already have your lightbar on a seperate circuit? If you do...you can use the 55watt bulbs. I used the 55watt bulbs for 2 years on my 900 and had no problems what so ever. I also use the 55watt bulbs on my Nomad that I have now.
Just change the bulbs to a higher wattage.

The mechanic wired my bar to the accessory wire so that the driving lights come on when the key is turned on (not when the engine is started). Does that sound OK to run those 55 watters??

[Frankt07]

Originally Posted by Hacker

The mechanic wired my bar to the accessory wire so that the driving lights come on when the key is turned on (not when the engine is started). Does that sound OK to run those 55 watters??

no. you will run very close to the fuse rating. find yourself a pair of 25w bulbs or run a new circuit and then you can run the 55w bulbs (recommended anyway)

[pat0021]

When I asked Cobra for a replacement part number they told me I could go as high as an H-3 35W. I have been using those. But.... The Cobra light bar really goes thru the bulbs. Not happy with it.

[REFUGIO]

Originally Posted by brwdarr

I had to replace mine bulbs a few days ago. wanted the 35 watts but couldn't find any. couldn't find the 25 watt bulb either. even went to the local honda motrcycle dealer, but all they had was 55 watt. I went ahead and bought a couple. later that day saw some h3 55 watt bulbs at advance auto parts. 55 watt bulbs are alot eaiser to find. I run my spots on low beam off on an access. relay. I'm still worry it may be to much on the system, because I used a napa 80-100 watt headlight bulb. low beams will be pulling 190 total watts. can anyone tell me if this is to much? without the relay I wouldn't used the 55 watts bulb. be to much on the fuse.

I ran your setup on my 900 for 2 years (44,500 miles)....That's with Wagner BP1210(80/100watt) in the headlight and 55watt bulbs in the Cobra Lightbar. Never had a single issue with fuses or wiring. The bulbs in the lightbar never did burn out and I ran them full time. I did have to change the headlight bulb one time due to burnout.
My lightbar's relay was powered from the running lights so the lights came on as soon as you would turn on the key....No starting issues or fuse issues.

I now have the exact same lighting on my Nomad except now the lightbar's relay is powered from the blue wire with yellow tracer out of the headlight bucket....So the lights do not come on till you start the bike..Like the headlight does.

Also...I can not use the lightbar by turning off the switch on the lightbar.

Hope this helps with anybody's worries on overloading the 900 electrical system.