New Lights Question

[hollywood]

I had a friend install 2 bullet lights that is got from Wally World. He mounted them on the crash bar and installed a switch on the fairing. They worked just fine but by the time I got home I had NO Headlight and the 2 bullets also wouldn't work. I checked the fuses and the headlight fuse was blown. I assume it was because the circuit was overloaded.

My question is - which circuit should these lights be wired to? I have some led's on the engine and I am running a radio installed per Serge's instructions from Premeux.

Thanks
Hollywood

[flightdoc]

I would assume you'll want to place an in-line fuse on those bullet lights so you don't lose your headlight again. I think there's a couple of additional circuits on a nomad too.

[cactusjack]

You need to wire them on a separate fuse-protected circuit. Those lamps draw around 9 amps if I remember right.

That's the most simple way of wiring them. Personally, I like to use a relay controlled by a switched 12v input so your driving lights come on after you start the bike and will shut off when you turn off the ignition. That way, you can't walk away and leave the lights on during the day and then you come back to a dead battery. I also wire in an on/off switch, because there may be times you want to have the lights turned off.

Here's a schematic diagram I drew up. Note the optional on/off switch can be placed inline in either the relay output to the lights (terminal 87) or the switched 12v trigger circuit (terminal 86).

[caddman11]

I set mine up on a 30 amp relay (over kill but that seems to be a very common size) that I put in the headlight bucket. I ran a direct line from the battery with a fuse in the line to power the lights. I then put the switch on the trigger line off the relay. You can then hook up the main trigger off anything you want, I'm probably going to here about this because I ran my trigger off the running lights so I could always have the driving lights available with both high and low beams. By doing your wiring this way, the running lights will also turn off with the key and you don't have to worry about running your battery down if you forget to turn them off. I understand that this is illegal in some states, but I really don't think it could be enforced. Check the laws in your state, if you can only run driving lights off the low beam, you could use that lead as your trigger. If an fuse blows, I would still have lights, either mains or driving.

[macmac]

What watts are these bullet lamps? Sounds like 55 watts each, and in line with the head lamp and no relay.

If so, then you are at high risk to fry the key switch.

[ells]

The WW lights are 50W each, too much to run on another circuit safely. A separate fused circuit, which comes with the lights, is necessary relayed or not. Hollywood, you might need to enlist someone else who understands installing a separate circuit. Some people get away with additional 35W running lights in the headlight circuit but 50Ws apparently push it too far.

[radco]

Like everyone says,, The LOAD is TOO much,, you can get a pre wired harness and relay from Kuryakynm 26$ or make your own about 15$... Word or Caution,, The STOCK wiring is handling a load larger then it sintended use,, NOT cool. if you have a 04 and earlier, you have a HOT wire under the Tank and seat, a 05 also has 1 in the headlight bucket,,, The Headlight bucket IMO is the best place to mount the relay,, Stays dry and no condensation,,,,Rich

[cactusjack]

Here's how to calculate current draw on a pair of 55 watt driving lamps. 13.5 = approx charging system output in volts.

((55 x 2) / 13.5) = 8.15 amps

[rlfaubion]

Good drawings, explanations, and advice.... Good job here to ya all...

[hollywood]

Thanks to everyone - I will not attempt this myself!!! This is way over my head. I'll print all this info out and take it to my guy. I think what happened is that he let one of his underlings do this install. I am gonna demand that he be the one to do this installation. Thanks again!

[bosko]

Thanks guys and gal, I've bookmarked this for when the time comes to install my driving lights.