CANBus (bulb out question)

[battlecattle]

Simple question but I cannot seem to find any information.

I am assuming that the CANBus system runs off Amps and the headlight has to draw so much current for the "bulb out" light to not turn on. Does anyone know what that magic value is?

I am making a low amp headlight for an upcoming trip and need every amp possible. I have already tried an LED bulb replacement which throws a "bulb out" light and eventually CANBus turns it off. That LED bulb drew .5amps and the stock draws 4.8amps.

Any information about this would be helpful, even if it is just how to turn off the "bulb out" so the CANBus doesn't shut it off.

Thanks

[Bayner]

It may be easier to wire it into something yourself than fight with the computer.

[battlecattle]

Originally Posted by Bayner

It may be easier to wire it into something yourself than fight with the computer.

Complete true but I also don't want to buy 2 1.2amp lights and need 3amp to "fool" the computer.

[Moto Mikey]

I recall reading on here that you can have the canbus ignore the low voltage/amperage from bulbs via a reflash.

[Reaver]

Originally Posted by Moto Mikey

I recall reading on here that you can have the canbus ignore the low voltage/amperage from bulbs via a reflash.

Not exactly. You can tell the ZFE that you installed LED turn signals so it won't give you a bulb warning but I've never seen anything on the BMW computer for headlight options. I was a BMW Tech for three yrs so I've done that but I'm not saying I know everything.

[Moto Mikey]

Originally Posted by Reaver

Not exactly. You can tell the ZFE that you installed LED turn signals so it won't give you a bulb warning but I've never seen anything on the BMW computer for headlight options. I was a BMW Tech for three yrs so I've done that but I'm not saying I know everything.

Humm.. yeah, maybe that's what I read (and I think you might have posted it )

[vtbob]

the can bus is a data network that has a micro processor/network/data acquisition function on each node. On the headlight node it measures voltage/current to detect a burnt out bulb. I do not know the settings that make this function works. I suspect but do not know there are the same settings in the directional or tail light nodes...so quite low.

I suspect that you will have no problem with a "low amp" head lamp. try it you can do no harm in just changing the bulb.

I think the can bus will work with this just fine

[TowPro]

I know it's OK with my 35W HID's.

P=IxE 35w / 12V = 2.91A

Not sure if your trying to save power, or create more light.

the cheep 35W hid's really work great. I bought VVME.com.

If your trying to save power, realize the stator produces 100% output all the time, what you don't use is shunted to ground through the voltage regulator.

[battlecattle]

Originally Posted by TowPro

I know it's OK with my 35W HID's.

P=IxE 35w / 12V = 2.91A

Not sure if your trying to save power, or create more light.

the cheep 35W hid's really work great. I bought VVME.com.

If your trying to save power, realize the stator produces 100% output all the time, what you don't use is shunted to ground through the voltage regulator.

I am trying to cut as much power as possible. 2.9amps is great but if I can get that to 2.5 or even 2, that is a free amp to use elsewhere. LED headlight and a dimmer is a perfect way to cut my 4.8amp headlight to as low as computer possible and use that elsewhere.

Just some quick info I have compiled

My heated jacket and gloves on high draw 9.2 Amps
Stock headlight at the same time draw 4.8 amps
bringing my voltage down to 12.9v

so I am trying to bring everything under 13-14amps so I am not discharging my battery.

edit:

http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hst...ght/Detail.bok

this is what I am wanting .6amps!!

or http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hst...ght/Detail.bok

@ 1.2amps

[PatrickM]

A 55W H3 generates about 1500 lumens, so plan accordingly.

[TowPro]

Originally Posted by battlecattle

I am trying to cut as much power as possible. 2.9amps is great but if I can get that to 2.5 or even 2, that is a free amp to use elsewhere. LED headlight and a dimmer is a perfect way to cut my 4.8amp headlight to as low as computer possible and use that elsewhere.

Just some quick info I have compiled

My heated jacket and gloves on high draw 9.2 Amps
Stock headlight at the same time draw 4.8 amps
bringing my voltage down to 12.9v

so I am trying to bring everything under 13-14amps so I am not discharging my battery.

Don't this bike have a 400W stator? 400w / 12V = 33.3 Amp. Maybe your real problem is you stator is going bad?
Very common thread on here is http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706033

[sorebutt]

I use a pulse control for my heated jacket. I never have it on full because it is too hot. I watch my volt meter and it drops to 12 volt when the controller turns on the jacket and then jumps back up to 13-14 when it shuts off. It would run down the battery on high, but it would have to be very cold to run it on anything at more than half power.

[lunaticTR]

I use heated jacket and pants and heated hand grips. When everything is on full power, It goes down to 13.8V from 14.1V @2Krpm and over. At idle it is a different story. And if I turn on the long beam at the same time, it goes down to 13.3V if I recollect correctly. Are you talking about voltage drop when you are at idle or it happens when you are moving? If it happens when you are moving you should get your charging system checked. If you are close to 40K miles you are at risk of a burnt alternator. :(

[battlecattle]

Originally Posted by TowPro

Don't this bike have a 400W stator? 400w / 12V = 33.3 Amp. Maybe your real problem is you stator is going bad?
Very common thread on here is http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706033

Yes the stator puts out 33amps before the bike is running. Unfortunately all the computers and electronic stuff draws between about 13-15amps. Now that leaves right around 15-18amps. My heated jacket draws 7.4amps on high and with my heated gloves plugged in 9.2amps now lets add 4.8amps for the highbeam. That brings the total to 14amps. No room for heated pants, heated grips, AUX lights, or even cell charging.

I would also error on the side of caution because it is your battery and you don't want to kill it. That is why I wan't to get down to 13-14amps max. Completely turning off my headlight would give me 9.6amps which is over half of my current max amperes. Finding a Low beam headlight under 1amp and a highbeam at 2.4amps still gives me a net gain of 6.2amps. With that extra boost in power I virtually eliminate the chance of overdrawing my stator even at idle.

Originally Posted by lunaticTR

I use heated jacket and pants and heated hand grips. When everything is on full power, It goes down to 13.8V from 14.1V @2Krpm and over. At idle it is a different story. And if I turn on the long beam at the same time, it goes down to 13.3V if I recollect correctly. Are you talking about voltage drop when you are at idle or it happens when you are moving? If it happens when you are moving you should get your charging system checked. If you are close to 40K miles you are at risk of a burnt alternator. :(

I based everything off idle, because that is where it is important to me. Stopped in traffic is when you are going to want that heated jacket, pants, and gloves.

EDIT:

I also found that the Bulb out light does not come on at a draw of .8amps, sometimes I see .7amps on my meter but i don't trust it since it is not sustained.