G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile


Buell Motorcycle Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through November 10, 2007 » Which circuit to tap into for auxiliary lighting? « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Growl
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 02:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hello - someone recently showed how to mount small auxiliary lights right onto the turn signals - clever chap! I followed suit, now need to wire these babies up! Each is 50 watts... so where shall I tap into? Off the battery? Ignition switch?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hoon
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 02:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I tapped into the headlight wires (dip/yellow or main/white,you choose,you need to decide how you want them to function),put a switch in for choice of when to use them and DEFINATELY use a relay and fused line to the battery. There needs to be a ground/earth also.

It needs to only have power when the key is turned so you can't drain the battery by accident.

When you buy a relay from the car spares shop it should have a wiring guide on the back of the packet which makes things a lot easier to understand.

No offense but you sound like an electrical noob just like I am,I'm sure someone on here can supply a clear wiring diagram and clearer instructions than I but with no more than basic tools and a soldering iron and or crimping tool you'll be able to do this if you were able to fit the lights yourself.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Treadmarks
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 07:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Like this?

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ratbuell
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 10:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Here's how I usually wire aux lights:

Hot trigger wire from a switched source - high beam, low beam, or just key-on. NOT battery, or they won't turn off with the ignition.

Run that thru a switch for an "override / off" capability, then to the relay.

Take that to the relay trigger terminal so the relay only turns on when it sees power from that wire.

The other connections to the relay are ground (chassis or battery), 12v+ from the battery (in), 12v+ to the lights (out). The trigger wire is a low-draw wire so it won't overheat the switch or wiring. The 12v+ wires are the heavy wires that carry the power of the lights themselves so they should be larger gauge wires.

On my Jeep I have 2 sets of aux lights. One (fog lights) is triggered at key-on for DRLs, the second (driving, or pencil-beam) is triggered by the high beams since the OEM lights on a YJ...well, they suck. Both have switches for override.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ft_bstrd
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 11:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I ran my light relay off of the accessory plug. It's only on when the key is on. You can add a separate switch as well. I ran the connection directly to the battery on a fuse and run the relay from the accessory plug.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Growl
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 01:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ahhhh... great answers! I get it I get it and thank you all!
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration