HID switching.

warmshed

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With HID fitted to the dip beam, they strike when you switch on the ignition, when you press the start button this caused the light to go out due to the load shedding relay. When you release the start button the HID hot strikes which is not good for the ballast. If the bike does not start on first press then this aggravates the problem.

A way round this would be to fit a time delay relay such as:-
http://www.wolstentech.com/products/timedelayrelay/timedelayrelay.php

or a cheaper one here :-
http://www.retrosolutionsllc.com/servlet/the-263/Time-Delay-Relay-10/Detail

What have the people with HID lights done to get over this problem?
 
HID's

I have a 03 1150GS and as you know I can not turn the lights of , that is untill I bought a second hand light switch of an older model from Motor works. Good result ! Highly recommend this plus it gives you spare parts from your old switch.
 
That relay sounds like quite a neat idea.

To ask an obvious question, would this relay simply replace the existing one or is there something more to it than that? For reference I've got a 1150gsa.

I guess a question would be whether it's possible to buy them at a sensible price in the UK to avoid import tax etc
 
I believe you don't get charged for import duty under £18 including postage,

Just seen them on ebay around £12 delivered.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HID-Relay...ultDomain_0&hash=item2a094fea92#ht_2515wt_698

Not sure about just fitting it in the original positon of the BMW one as it has a "trigger" input. Still, only one extra wire.wire Will have a look at the diagram, would be better to just have one relay.

I can't believe no else has responded to this thread as hot switching does drastically reduce the life of the ballast on the later GS bikes that have a permanent dip light. I also have a GSA, an 05.
 
What have the people with HID lights done to get over this problem?

Nothing, fitted HID 5 years ago, almost to the day, as I couldn't face another winter with the crap, standard lights.

Standard switches etc. and no problems to date. If they die tomorrow I'll just think of it as a prime opportunity to upgrade to a HID 50 for the dip beam. Mileage >71,000 with a lot of short, <8 miles, commutes.
 
Just had a look at the diagram and it looks to me as though it would be a straight swap for the existing relay so I might order one. Would be pleased if anyone more knowledgeable could confirm this.
 
Nothing, fitted HID 5 years ago, almost to the day, as I couldn't face another winter with the crap, standard lights.

Standard switches etc. and no problems to date. If they die tomorrow I'll just think of it as a prime opportunity to upgrade to a HID 50 for the dip beam. Mileage >71,000 with a lot of short, <8 miles, commutes.

Packer, does your bike have the permanent dip or do you have a headlight switch?
 
Just had a look at the diagram and it looks to me as though it would be a straight swap for the existing relay so I might order one. Would be pleased if anyone more knowledgeable could confirm this.


Do you have a copy of this wiring diagram you could email me as it would really help me in an unrelated project as I've got a 04 model. Tried to PM you but your profile doesn't seem to have that option unless I'm doing something wrong.

Thanks.
 
Thanks for this - that's exactly what I was after :thumb

Having had a quick look at the schematics, do you mean that this time dealy relay should be replace load relief relay?
 
Thanks for this - that's exactly what I was after :thumb

Having had a quick look at the schematics, do you mean that this time dealy relay should be replace load relief relay?

Ah I see what you mean, I was looking at the 1150RS page of the Haynes manual, that model has a Light relay, Its rather strange that the GS does not. Means it will need to be wired in.
 
khpossum, that looks clever, you could even take take the D+ wire from tag 9 (green wire) of the diagnostic plug if that's easier instead of the D+terminal of the alternator. This could then operate a standard relay so the lights would energise only after the engine starts, that's better than a 10 second delay.
So Just a couple of pounds for a relay and a couple of feet of wire and the jobs done.

I have the later ABS/servo and ill leave that alone while its behaving.

many thanks. Dave
 
I guess you could interrupt the supply with an autoswitch off the indicator cancel. Lots of faff but worth it to have a decent light.

In fact considering a decent H1/7 bulb is about £10 I'd stand buying the whole kit every year or so.
 
Andy, I have an autoswitch that controls the driving lamps, could use that I parallel but I like the idea of the relay off the D+, and I dont have to remember to seitch on the dip beam. I've got a spare relay so just a bit of tinkering
 
Andy, I have an autoswitch that controls the driving lamps, could use that I parallel but I like the idea of the relay off the D+, and I dont have to remember to seitch on the dip beam. I've got a spare relay so just a bit of tinkering

I've got a spare fused one if you need it (30amp) makes a neat install. Found it after I had installed the new driving lights with an inline fuse! :blast
 
Might be handy, thanks. Its strange the headlight is not fused so that may well overcome another design fault.
 
I believe you don't get charged for import duty under £18 including postage,

Just seen them on ebay around £12 delivered.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HID-Relay...ultDomain_0&hash=item2a094fea92#ht_2515wt_698

Not sure about just fitting it in the original positon of the BMW one as it has a "trigger" input. Still, only one extra wire.wire Will have a look at the diagram, would be better to just have one relay.

I can't believe no else has responded to this thread as hot switching does drastically reduce the life of the ballast on the later GS bikes that have a permanent dip light. I also have a GSA, an 05.

I've just bought one of these from the US and was wondering the best way of instaling it. I appreciate they won't plug straight into the load relief relay slot but would be happy to fit it myself provided someone could which pins are connected to what.

thanks,
 
Hi, I think the best way is to use the blue wire from the D+ tag of the alternator rather than a time delay relay, that way you can use an ordinary automotive relay.
Take a wire from the D+ (you can pick-up this wire from the diagnostic plug adjacent to the fuse box) connect it to tag 86 on the relay.
Connect tag 85 to a local earth. Thin wires are OK for these connections as its very low current.
You need a fused battery connection to relay tag 30
Take a wire from tag 87 to power the HID, you will need to disconnect the existing power lead at the dipped headlight and insulate it.
For these two connections use a thick wire to reduce volt drop.

The light will not come on when you turn the ignition on but as soon as the engine starts the relay will operate and the light will come on so no on-off-on hot start of the HID.


If you prefer to use the time delay relay forget the blue wire and connect a "live with ignition on" wire to the tag 86 instead.
 


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