How can I resist the voltage on my snowmobile (for my light) from 17 volts to 13 volts, DC? What can I use?
by 
RockyRun2011
ANSWERS: 2
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If your snowmobile alternator is putting out 17 Volts, then the voltage regulator is shot. Get that fixed before it burns out more than just your headlight. Good luck.
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Watch out! The ballast resistor mentioned served to limit current in the ignition coil windings (I think) which is a low current load. Your headlamp may well draw 4 or 5A. A resistor to drop from 17V to 12V at 4.5A would be 1.1 ohms, but the power dissipation in that resistor would be 23W, more than enough to glow red, even for a big one. Fixing, adjusting or replacing the voltage regulator is by far the best solution. Lead acid batteries only like up to 14.5-14.75V max on charge, so you will save your battery too, and make all your other bulbs & lamps last longer!
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