1150GS lightbar - need relays or not?

[ducatiparts.110mb]

About to fit extra lights to my 05 1150GS, one for main & 1 for dip, both 55w.

I know I should fit relays running off the std headlight and power the lights from the battery via the relays, but its quicker and easier to just connect the new lights straight to the existing main & dip connections.

Whats the consensus? Will the standard wiring & switchgear cope with an additional 55W on each bulb or not?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Timolgra]

Use a relay

 

[oblertone]

Try it ...

... and report back; then we can throw away all those pesky relays

 

[roddy]

two options with this one

Use relays and enjoy your illuminated bike

Don't use relays and have a bike that'll have a nice burning smell about it,

Use relays one to switch power to the lightbar via an Autoswitch or normal throw switch, another to switch between low/high.

you know it makes sense

 

[Udders]

I just put a pair of lights on my 1150 (with a relay) and put a 3 way switch in it's wiring so that they come on with either low (position 1), off (middle) or main beam (top position). I thought it would save putting 2 sets of lights on.

 

[tanneman]

Maplin 12V 40A spst need 2.

 

[davegs]

Relay the message

Use a relay amnd use thick vcable from battery to lights / relay you've only got 12 volts to start with so loosing one through volt drop will make a difference.
Dave GS

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

OK, thats pretty much what I was expecting. Thanks

 

[Greg Masters]

You're adding nearly 10 amps to the standard switching - that's a lot. Use a relay.

Greg

 

[john_aero]

would adding a centech or easternbeaver fuse box not allow you to eliminate these relays and also give you chance to link all extra accessories into it instaed trying wire them all to the battery

 

[Greg Masters]

would adding a centech or easternbeaver fuse box not allow you to eliminate these relays and also give you chance to link all extra accessories into it instaed trying wire them all to the battery

No - it still needs a relay (even if it is part of the Easternbeaver kit).

Greg

 

[Chrizm]

I recently added a set of 55w driving lights to my 1100 and did use a relay, they are peanuts at Maplins, less than £3, also a 30A should be more than adequate and just fuse it down. 110w at 11volts is 10A, if its 12v then its less than 10A.

Ive also recently added an extra 6 way fuse box into the long spare slot in the fusebox which was less than £10 from an autodealer, Ive fused the cable to the ignition and load relief relay which are not fused and I understand a common problem with burnt out wiring. Infact Ive played with the wiring alot, even done the side stand overide so I can start bike with side stand down but if you put it into gear it stalls engine

All dead easy if you look into it and if your wiring spots etc then might aswell do it all at once, oh I also wired an auxiliary 12v to beak after I did beak conversion

 

[slimbo]

for fecks sake if you dont use a relay you will let all the smoke out of the wiring

if your really clever you can use two relays and have them double latch!!!

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Where's BTBR when you need him?