Cobra Light Bar Relay Switch

[cheriann]

I'm SO NERVOUS posting in here!!! This is my first time
I hope I don't make a mistake or ask a question I shouldn't....I read the Rules posting first and it scared me even more!!!! :(

My question is simple, I hope......
Hubby added the Cobra light bar to his 07 Nomad. He has been having problems with current running down his battery after the key is off. He had it checked with Kawi Service and he does have it wired correctly, but they did confirm that's where his current is draining the battery. So, he thinks the relay may be bad. Honestly, he didn't have them check that because the money time clock was ticking!!!! Can he wire it directly without using the relay?

The Cobra light bar for my 900 is wired directly without a relay, so that's why he is wondering if he could do that with his Nad too....

Thank you for your time!!!! :)

[rewindgy]

As long as the Wattage of the lights is not excessive! The stock 25 Watt bulbs don't draw alot of current about 3.44 Amps so as long as they are fused correctly not a big deal! It's when you hook up monster Driving lights that draw high current it's a good idea to run them thu a Relay so you don't have a big spike when you turn them on - also it puts quite a load on the bike's circuit ( NB: bike wiring is very light wire) as with a Relay you are running directly to the battery so the current is thru that lead wire only!

[cheriann]

Thank you SO MUCH!!!!!

[VulcanE]

If the light bar is running the battery down while the switch is off, then the relay isn't wired correctly. Go here
http://www.gadgetjq.com/wiredrivinglights.htm
and follow the drawing to a "Tee". That is the correct way to hook-up a relay and a circuit (lightbar). Make sure the wire going from #86 on the relay goes to a switched power source (on only when the key is on).

[trip]

Don't ever be afraid to ask a question, CheriAnn. That's what the garage is here for.

Trip

[mcdaddy]

If you think it is the relay, replace it with a new one. They are cheap.

If it turns out it wasn't the relay, buy a Stebel horn and use that relay on the horn .

[rickyboy]

Just wanted to echo Trips statement ... and say "the only stupid question is the one you don't ask."

[cactusjack]

I saw a similar question recently, I think it was on the VR forum. The lightbar was draining the battery when bike was turned off. The cause was an improperly wired relay.

No need to be nervous here - you are among friends.

[macmac]

CheriAnn, Your a funny gal..... This is no place to have fears... LOL...

The relay might be bad. There could be free metalic chips inside or something like them making a slight contact. it happens..

It is best to have relays and there should be on your bike too..

On the other hand these can be wired with larger wire from the battery thru a in line fuse to the lamps direct if you prefer it that way.

The relay helps as it becomes a switch that is from a wire in use for something else. Which wire you choose matters some.

People use the tail light wire to trip a relay so what ever the add on is is on when ever the tail light is. Or they use the low beam hot wire, so what ever is ON is only on with low beam.

Some states have laws that passing lamps can only be on with low beams.

It is as possible to use a relay completely independant from anything on the bike now.

The typical relay has only 4 connector tabs

T 30 is alwas hot from the battery and fused. This feeds T 87 to the add on.

What turns on the relay is any wire used already On when you want the add on to be on. This will be connected at T 86. T 85 is ground, or goes to ground, and ground is any metal on the entire bike you can bolt a wire too. The frame and engine are one big wire, and ground.

The battery ground cable is black, and is bolted to the frame and the engine with a split cable. So any nut and bolt make for a ground terminal.

There are moving contact inside a relay box.. I have seen some with broken parts inside, chips and shavings from things, and even rust, that looks like sand.

Some things can stop the contacts from touching and so keep add ons off, and other things conduct a little bit, and can drain a battery in time when they should be off.

There are tools to see current, and these don't have to cost a lot.

You can go to wallmart and buy a digital mulitmeter for 17 bucks any day of the week that is plenty good enough to use on a bike.

You don't even need to read the info sheet coming with the tool because many of these guys and me too, for that matter can tell you how to use it.

Now if the relay is really bad that tool will prove it.. It can be used to test to see what the voltage is, when it should be off. If it draining the battery it will have a voltage reading of some sort.

[Top Cat]

I agree with VulcanE, the relay has to be wired wrong.

I know it can be stressful for a woman to come into the garage for the first time. You know with all the nude pics of women on the wall and the calenders with bare breasts but we don't mean any harm when we stare at you. It's just that we don't see many women brave enough to wander in here.
Make yourself at home, stay as long as you want,we don't bite.
Well some of the guys like to nibble but thats a different story

[macmac]

TC! shhhhh, don't tell her some guys linger around like vultures just waiting for somebody to break something just so they have a excuse to talk...

[cheriann]

Originally Posted by VulcanE

If the light bar is running the battery down while the switch is off, then the relay isn't wired correctly. Go here
http://www.gadgetjq.com/wiredrivinglights.htm
and follow the drawing to a "Tee". That is the correct way to hook-up a relay and a circuit (lightbar). Make sure the wire going from #86 on the relay goes to a switched power source (on only when the key is on).

Thank you! I actually have Gadget's web page bookmarked, but forgot to check there for him!!! Darn it!

[cheriann]

Originally Posted by Trip

Don't ever be afraid to ask a question, CheriAnn. That's what the garage is here for.

Trip

Awww....thank you Trip! I just read the list of things not to ask and I felt a little intimidated since I am not very mechanical, I wasn't sure if this was a valid question for here or not :(

I am thrilled to see the EXTREMELY helpful responses!!!

[cheriann]

Originally Posted by McDaddy

If you think it is the relay, replace it with a new one. They are cheap.

If it turns out it wasn't the relay, buy a Stebel horn and use that relay on the horn .

Good idea!
I actually have the Stebel horn on my 900 and LOVE it!!!!
....wait a minute....at least that's ONE thing better on my bike than his Nad....I don't want him to have one!!! ;)

[cheriann]

Originally Posted by rickyboy ... #00722

Just wanted to echo Trips statement ... and say "the only stupid question is the one you don't ask."

Thank you!!! Everybody here is so friendly and helpful, I was silly to be afraid!!! ::)