COBRA LIGHTBAR PROBLEM

[natwilli]

While riding today I noticed that the left light on my Cobra lightbar was out. While checking the connection at the switch the other light and the running lights went out. The turn signals still work though. I used the instructions given from Cobra when wiring it up. Haven't had a chance diagnose the problems because it is stored at a friends house until these hurricanes headed for eastern NC blow by......(hopefully they just blow by). So I thought I would post this and try to get some feedback from you guys while I wait on the storms to pass.

[cactusjack]

Is it possible the left light simply burned out and you blew a fuse while troubleshooting the wiring?

[natwilli]

I hope you are right. I'll find out for sure as soon as the storms pass. I wouldn't think the bulb would burn out that fast though. I've only had the lightbar installed for a month.

[VulcanE]

Did you make your connection for your power (line that goes from power source to the switch) with a connector (wire nut, crimp connector, etc.) or did you solder it together? I've never had any luck with connectors, so I solder everything. A soldering iron and solder are real cheap, and it's eaiser to do than you think it would be. And use shrink wrap on all the soldered joints.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by natwilli

I hope you are right. I'll find out for sure as soon as the storms pass. I wouldn't think the bulb would burn out that fast though. I've only had the lightbar installed for a month.

You'd be surprised how quickly some lamps burn out on a motorcycle.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by VulcanE

Did you make your connection for your power (line that goes from power source to the switch) with a connector (wire nut, crimp connector, etc.) or did you solder it together? I've never had any luck with connectors, so I solder everything. A soldering iron and solder are real cheap, and it's eaiser to do than you think it would be. And use shrink wrap on all the soldered joints.

+1! I'm a solderin' fool.

[Top Cat]

Soldering, there's a story in itself. I tried soldering my connections when I installed my Cobra lightbar :-/ WOW I cannot get anything to stick. I just twisted the wires together and electrical taped them. that was a year ago and all is well as we speak.
I did have a bulb burn out due to condensation getting in the housing. Burned out three in about 2 months.
Installed sealed beams and no more problem.
I think CJ,s theroy ( Is it possible the left light simply burned out and you blew a fuse while troubleshooting the wiring? ) is where I would start looking.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

Soldering, there's a story in itself. I tried soldering my connections when I installed my Cobra lightbar :-/ WOW I cannot get anything to stick. I just twisted the wires together and electrical taped them. that was a year ago and all is well as we speak.
I did have a bulb burn out due to condensation getting in the housing. Burned out three in about 2 months.
Installed sealed beams and no more problem.
I think CJ,s theroy ( Is it possible the left light simply burned out and you blew a fuse while troubleshooting the wiring? ) is where I would start looking.

If you can't get the solder to stick, you aren't heating the wires enough. When properly heated, the wires will draw the solder in, resulting in a properly soldered connection.

[dogdoc]

those cobra spots will burn out fast sometimes, my first lasted 3-4 mo then another in a few months and now none have gone in maybe 9 mo. filament are cheap like $9

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

those cobra spots will burn out fast sometimes, my first lasted 3-4 mo then another in a few months and now none have gone in maybe 9 mo. filament are cheap like $9

I'm not familiar with them. What kind of lamp do they use?

[dogdoc]

25 watt filament, not selaed but alot brighter than sealed, very good setup IMO and cheap.

[billmac]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

25 watt filament, not selaed but alot brighter than sealed, very good setup IMO and cheap.

Hey Doc, where you buy those Cobra light replacement bulbs? Mine are probably going to go out now that I have read this thread.

[VulcanE]

The Cobra spots use a H-3 bulb, I've had to replace 1 in 3 1/2 years.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

If you can't get the solder to stick, you aren't heating the wires enough. When properly heated, the wires will draw the solder in, resulting in a properly soldered connection.

CJ, do you twist the wires together and then heat and solder?

[cactusjack]

Yes. If I'm just connecting two wires together, I strip about 1/4"-3/8" of insulation, cross the two wires where the insulation ends and twist the ends spirally around each other, so when done, it looks like a continuous length of wire. Then I heat the soldering iron up, then touch the iron to the bottom of the wire and feed the solder into the top. When the wire hits the proper temperature, the solder will be sucked into the wires, then just let it cool. If I'm splicing 3 or more wires together, I strip the ends, then just twist them all together, then solder.