Wiring Extra Lights

[GrumpyTwo]

Evening All

I have two sets of lights to fit to my bike, both sets are 12v 55w Halogen, one set are fog / driving lamps and the other are daytime running lights or will be when I have fitted them.
My question is this, for the DRL can I take the power for them from the dipped beam headlight so they come on with the engine and off with the dipped beam (or engine)?
For the fog / driving lamps I am thinking of fitting an auto switch from Nippy Normans and wiring them through the switch as per the instructions.
Would this setup be alright or would the GSs electrical system have a fit and stop working? Would it be better to just fit a fuse box and stop being so lazy?
If I fit a fuse box and wire the DRL to a switch how do I get the lights to turn off automatically with the dipped beam, or don’t I bother?

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Wire them in with a relay.

Wire the DRLs into the dipped beam circuit and the spots into the main beam circuit.

 

[autogs]

dump the halogen lamps and get led,much brighter and use less current.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

You could wire BOTH pairs in with a 5 pole relay. Then when dipped beam is on, your DRLs will be on, but the spotlights will be off. When you turn on main beam, the DRLs would go off, and the spots would go on.

 

[littleredrooster]

...My question is this, for the DRL can I take the power for them from the dipped beam headlight so they come on with the engine and off with the dipped beam (or engine)?...

You can't take the power from the dipped beam circuit, but you can use the circuit to trigger a relay which switches them on.

 

[stu1969]

dump the halogen lamps and get led,much brighter and use less current.

I've got 4 cree led spots as daylight running light. They are very bright but no good as high beam. For high beam I have done a bit of experimenting with different lights and bulbs and have settled on hella spot lights with halogen bulbs. I have tried led bulbs but in my experience they are not as good as halogen.
Regarding wiring them. Use a relay for each. Take a wire from the headlights so that they are one when the engine is running. Take another from the high beam so your auxiliary lights come on when you flick your high beams. It's quite straight forward. I can post some picks if it helps

 

[Bendy toy]

What type of CREE LEDs do you have? I'm looking for something to back up main beam when on full power but can be DRLs when running on low power.

These look good but as ever its not possible to see how wide the beam is.

http://24x7diy.com/product_info.php/products_id/192

But with this http://24x7diy.com/product_info.php/products_id/196 they *could* be used as I'm hoping for. But, I would rather have a proper switch.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Those are the lights I have only mine are in black. I have a pair of 20w as DRL and a pair of 30w for high beam. They are flood light rather than a beam. And they don't particularly go down the road far. They do give of a great light closer too you though and are well worth having. I have the DRL'S set quite low so they are still highly visible during the day but don't dazzle at night. I do have a switch though so I can put them off if needed.
That price is a total rip off by the way. They are made in China and can be bought for $50 a pair. There is a well known eBay trader from China that will do you the lights, mounts,wiring and a dimmer for for about $70.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Sorry I thought I was on Adventure rider hence the $ my lights were £35 a pair and took under a week to arrive direct although you can get them from local eBay traders but usually for a bend over price.

 

[GrumpyTwo]

Regarding wiring them. Use a relay for each. Take a wire from the headlights so that they are one when the engine is running. Take another from the high beam so your auxiliary lights come on when you flick your high beams. It's quite straight forward. I can post some picks if it helps

Thanks for the advice, pics would be wonderful if you get a minute

Would 15a relays be OK or should I use something bigger? I am hoping to get the lights finished this weekend so I can start making my new panniers

And thanks to everyone for all of the advice, it's much appreciated.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Thanks for the advice, pics would be wonderful if you get a minute

Would 15a relays be OK or should I use something bigger? I am hoping to get the lights finished this weekend so I can start making my new panniers

And thanks to everyone for all of the advice, it's much appreciated.

15A is plenty, the big ones barely draw 3A each

 

[GrumpyTwo]

15A is plenty, the big ones barely draw 3A each

I've ordered the relays but I couldn't find 15a ones so I ordered 30a, will that make a big difference in the scheme of things, or should I find 15a ones?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

No it doesn't matter if they are 30A.

 

[GrumpyTwo]

Thanks again, after I've done the wiring hopefully my next question won’t be “what fire extinguisher should I have bought”

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I've ordered the relays but I couldn't find 15a ones so I ordered 30a, will that make a big difference in the scheme of things, or should I find 15a ones?

No it doesn't matter if they are 30A.

I always use 30a relays. No reason other than they are the most common and easiest to find.

 

[stu1969]

+1 for 30amp relay
Ok not the prettiest but it works well!!!

Behind the right side fuel tank panel is a convenient protrusion to hang the two relays.


Run one wire each from the positive and negative side of the battery. I soldered a spur to form a Y piece on each wire and attach to the appropriate spade on the relay.

Include an inline fuse within the positive wire.


This pick shows the two fine wires that activate the relays. One is spliced in the positive wire that feeds the headlight the other from the live feed to the high beam.

The only wire from the relay I've not shown is the wire carrying power to your new lights.

 

[stu1969]

Google "how to wire a relay" for which wire goes to which terminal on the relay.

I sent positive power from the relay to my additional lights and for the negative side I ran a wire to an earth point

Hope this helps.

PS. The location of the relays is fairly well protected. I've had them on my bike for about 18 months without a problem.