Finished hooking up my driving lights

[johnb]

About a month ago I hooked up driving lights as shown on gadgets page (Nomad 1600 Lightbar For Under $100--Way Under !). I chose to use Optronics spots, which use 50W MR16 Spotlight bulbs which I swapped out for 35W Floods. I hooked up a waterproof button switch on the tank meter cover, but couldn't tell when they were on. Today I finished hooking up a green LED indicator light to the switch and mounted on the meter cover just to the left of the ignition switch. Now I can tell whether the lights are on when I'm riding during the day.

[azpnshr]

Good deal. I've noticed more visibility at night with mine on and living in rural areas of the desert, it is truly helpful in avoiding the coyotes and javelina at night! Not to mention being more visible to other traffic as you approach them.

[ringadingh]

I swapped out my 35w bulbs for some 50w halogens and they made a huge difference in my visibility. I should have done it a couple years sooner.
I know what you mean about not knowing if the lights are on or off in the daylight, I may replace my switch with an illuminated rocker switch so I can be sure if they are on or off.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by johnb

About a month ago I hooked up driving lights as shown on gadgets page (Nomad 1600 Lightbar For Under $100--Way Under !). I chose to use Optronics spots, which use 50W MR16 Spotlight bulbs which I swapped out for 35W Floods. I hooked up a waterproof button switch on the tank meter cover, but couldn't tell when they were on. Today I finished hooking up a green LED indicator light to the switch and mounted on the meter cover just to the left of the ignition switch. Now I can tell whether the lights are on when I'm riding during the day.

My CWI lights have a small indicator light on the top of them...but they are worthless in the daytime. I got into the habit of just leaning out a bit and looking down at the top of my front fender. I can see in the reflection there if they are on or not. Also...at a stop light...the reflection (or lack thereof) off the vehicle in front of you is a dead giveaway. I'm just sayin'..... ;)!

[jd01]

Originally Posted by Netnorske

I got into the habit of just leaning out a bit and looking down at the top of my front fender. I can see in the reflection there if they are on or not.

Same here.

[Cajunrider]

I don't have a set yet but I plan to purchase them pretty soon. Is it a bad idea to have them on day and night? Does anyone have them without a separate switch?

[ndbigfish]

Originally Posted by Netnorske

My CWI lights have a small indicator light on the top of them...but they are worthless in the daytime. I got into the habit of just leaning out a bit and looking down at the top of my front fender. I can see in the reflection there if they are on or not. Also...at a stop light...the reflection (or lack thereof) off the vehicle in front of you is a dead giveaway. I'm just sayin'..... ;)!

I just use the reflection in the chrome axle cover caps on the front axle. My switch has an LED, but it is not visible in the current mounting position.

[azpnshr]

Cajun,
I don't see a negative with running them all the time except maybe burning the bulb out quicker. Small cost in maintenance is nothing to having increased visibility.

[ringadingh]

Ive left mine on all the time for the increased visibility to other motorists as well in the past, especially when Im in traffic where theres a lot of people not paying attention.

[johnb]

I installed them more so I was more visible to traffic, which partly is why I switched out the 50W to 35W bulbs. The other reason for switching out the bulbs was to lessen the strain on the alternator. I run them day & night. Put in the switch so that if needed I could flash them and since the relay is hooked up to the running lights, they would be on with the ignition switch. Figured with the indicator light, which is a 9/32 green LED from Radio Shock, I would easily know to turn them off to lessen the draw on the battery when starting. The light is visible in bright daylight but not annoying at night since I mounted it in the meter cover near the ignition switch.

[gghost]

Pictures of your install would be very nice. Also of your switch and indicator light.

[mercianbike]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

I don't have a set yet but I plan to purchase them pretty soon. Is it a bad idea to have them on day and night? Does anyone have them without a separate switch?

My Kawa Fire & Steel lamps came with an on/off switch on the light bar so I did not see the need to wire in an additional switch on the handlebar. I run with the lights on at all times. I also replaced the stock 25W bulbs with amber 50W bulbs. I have a voltmeter on the bike and the alternator seems more than capable of handling the extra load. There have been other threads discussing amber bulbs and the consensus is that they stand out more during the day since so many automobiles these days are operating with daylight running lights and there are white lights everywhere.

[johnb]

Here are pix; Note Green LED to left of Ignition switch. Waterproof "Button" switch set below and between "stock" selector buttons.

[Cajunrider]

Nice job John.

[poppy]

Those are nice. My buddy with a 1700 Nomad needs some lights up front. Where did you pick them up?