Spotlight Wiring

[concho]

I just bought two shallow bodied spots for my 02 FI. I would really like them to turn on and run with the headlight. Also stay on with the high beam. I was thinking of running them off the accessory line under the tank, but figured I'd ask those that have probably done this already and use a tried and true method.

[Cajunrider]

I haven't purchased my driving lights yet but when I do, I'll hook them up like this:
Install a fused relay powered directly from the battery with it being switched from the tail light. Wire the lights from the switched power on the relay. This will turn the driving lights on when I turn on the ignition switch. Wiring the driving lights this way will have them on at all times and if the headlight goes out I'll still have lights to make it home. I may install a switch wired between the tail light and the relay giving me the option to turn them off. Makes sense?

[concho]

Hey thanks Cajun. I didnt even think about the taillight to junction off of.

[cactusjack]

These should be wired through a relay, with a dedicated power supply from the battery. I am not an advocate of wiring auxiliary lights without having them switched. There may be times when you want or need to have them turned off. The relay will turn them on-off with the ignition, but just add a switch to manually override this.

[jay02904]

i picked up a set of small chrome circle driving lights at wal mart for about $19 wired got 2 "p" clamps and wired through the headlight/ignition switch, i think :), anyways they turn on when the key is on even though the bike isn't running (not sure if that is a great idea) they work well, haven't rusted, are bright and i got a bunch of compliments on them. sorry that didn't answer your ? but just another idea... CJ has a point a switch would be ideal

[concho]

I may have to stash a switch somewhere in the mix, just in case. Also will the wiring change since they are single wire lights (only have one wire coming out of the lights).

[macmac]

I just run mine direct. No relay needed. Lights on with no engine and no key. They can be on any time it pleases me this way. I use illuminated switches to tell they are on in day time.

I have 2 sets of these on the bike because I live in moose country. I can't run both sets a long time, but I can run both sets at the same time for a limited time, and I do that in places I expect to see moose.

It is handy at night to have the engine off and be able to see. I like the passing lamps on in low beam at night too more so navigating sandy roads or wet grass.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by Concho

I may have to stash a switch somewhere in the mix, just in case. Also will the wiring change since they are single wire lights (only have one wire coming out of the lights).

The one wire you have is the power wire, the lamp housings are the ground path on your lights.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by macmac

I just run mine direct. No relay needed. Lights on with no engine and no key. They can be on any time it pleases me this way. I use illuminated switches to tell they are on in day time.

I have 2 sets of these on the bike because I live in moose country. I can't run both sets a long time, but I can run both sets at the same time for a limited time, and I do that in places I expect to see moose.

It is handy at night to have the engine off and be able to see. I like the passing lamps on in low beam at night too more so navigating sandy roads or wet grass.

I don't have a relay on mine either, but they are connected to the ignition switch. It may be ok for you to have them wired direct, but if someone flicks a switch on you someday when your not around youll be pushing a heavy bike.
But you already know that. ;)

[hammer]

I am completely with Scott on this. Relay, switch and not tied into the headlight or ignition circuit. Thought there was a sticky on this.

[macmac]

Yeah I am at risk of someone messing around and flippin on the switches. It isn't likely for one switch, which is lashed up tight between the seat and the frame, but the other is exposed in the stock location on the Cobra Light Bar.

But someone messing around with another man's bike in NH is deeply frowned upon. Around here no one is willing to risk life and limb that much. I see bikes with all sort of things hanging off like helmets, sun glasses, leather jackets and more, and no one is going to tamper with them, unless the plan is to steal everything right down to the bike.

At home not even the house or barn can be seen from anywhere, unless you got a helicopter. The bike parked is just outside my window and locked up good with 3 locks.

Not even the fasted best trained thief is faster than my .45 acp bullets.

I don't see in summer rides what most people would call a city, and if i do I don't get very far from the bike for very long.

Oddly I used to work in a guns shop, and customers there would throw a leg over the bike, which was parked up tight to the shop window. I watched. I didn't understand why they didn't understand they were breaking the Taboo, but they were harmless.

No more but once around here it was common to turn off left On head lights in other people cars. These days i would never do that, but i still think about it. Just another way the world has changed for a not better.

I think I hear a cow just outside my window. That's odd. Moose are a bit more typical. Maybe i should go see.

[ringadingh]

Some people don't think theres anything wrong by sitting on someones bike. My sister inlaw once sat her four year old son on someones bike at a restaurant. She didn't think there was anything wrong with doing that. When I told her that wasn't a good idea, she didn't see the rational at all.

[cactusjack]

If I caught someone sitting on my bike without asking me first, there would be no question in their mind that they made a mistake.

[ringadingh]

I don't think Id like it to much either, if they ask first its a different story.

[macmac]

Cj, I was armed, and inside the gun store looking out the window. I found it odd, but decided to not go into kill mode. I was watching real hard.

People are funny about some things they know nothing about.