Light Bar - High/Low

usranger74 · 05-30-2010, 12:47 PM

I just back back from a 4 week work detail in AL. While down there I had the local Kaw Shop put a Cobra light bar on my Nomad and a friend brought it back to my house.

This AM I took a nice ride and discovered that the lights on the bar only come on when my headlight is on low beam. Is that the way most of you wire your light bar lights? Light bar lights/low beam??

I think I want them on even with my headlight on high beam.

Bill

jd01 · 05-30-2010, 01:20 PM

I have my lightbar wired to the front amber running lights, so they come on when I turn the ignition switch on. Not wired to headlight circuit and can run lightbar with headlight on high beam or low beam and not worry about chance of headlight and lightbar going out at same time.

cactusjack · 05-30-2010, 01:54 PM

No. I have mine wired independently of the headlight. I can turn them on when I want and off when I want. I'll bet the shop just spliced the power wire for the light bar into the low beam headlight circuit. That is not how it should be done. Rewire it through a relay and thank me later.

There is probably a state law making it unlawful to have the driving lights on with the high beams. Not that I care, but that's probably why it was wired that way. Make them independent of the headlight so you control them.

skiman · 05-30-2010, 01:59 PM

Yep most states the driving lights must go off when the high beams come on.

**ringadingh** · 05-30-2010, 02:12 PM

I have mine wired separatly as well, then I have the choice of having them on whenever I nee regardless of the headlight.

radco · 05-30-2010, 02:34 PM

My run with low beam only as well. As stated in some states that is the law...
Did the dealer install a relay for the spots to break up the load?

cactusjack · 05-30-2010, 02:36 PM

I run high beams with driving lights on all day here. I don't know if it's illegal or not. They can start enforcing that as soon as they start ticketing drivers with their heads up their asses.

NyhtRyder · 05-30-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I run high beams with driving lights on all day here. I don't know if it's illegal or not. They can start enforcing that as soon as they start ticketing drivers with their heads up their asses.

Same here, my spots come on when my headlights come on and are on all the time. I did wire with a relay, and do run with a bright and spots on in the day time.

nomadrider · 05-30-2010, 05:43 PM

In texas I run with high beam and spotlights on .I counting on other driviers seeing me.

usranger74 · 05-30-2010, 06:04 PM

Help me out here.

I have already confessed to not being mechanically inclined which is why I paid the dealer to put the light bar on.

Whey you say " wire with a relay" what do you mean?

Remember, I confessed!!

Bill

mercianbike · 05-30-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usranger74

Help me out here.

I have already confessed to not being mechanically inclined which is why I paid the dealer to put the light bar on.

Whey you say " wire with a relay" what do you mean?

Remember, I confessed!!

Bill

This is a pretty good explanation of wiring driving lights through a relay.

http://www.gadgetjq.com/wiredrivinglights.htm

Many states, including Virginia where I live, do not allow automobiles to have driving lights on when high beams are on. But I'm not sure if this applies to motorcycles as well. I've had inspections at both the dealer and independent service stations and no one has mentioned this as an issue. I would wire them how you want them and only change if someone makes a fuss.

skiman · 05-30-2010, 06:31 PM

I only use mine to be seen better so aim them a tad low nothing I hate more then passing some jackass on a 2 lane with his driving lights aimed right in your lane. I avoid night riding all together
I figure if the number one thing cage drivers say after they kill a biker is I didn't see him we don't stand a chance at night.

audiogooroo · 05-30-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I run high beams with driving lights on all day here. I don't know if it's illegal or not. They can start enforcing that as soon as they start ticketing drivers with their heads up their asses.

There are not enough tickets in the world man.....

radco · 05-30-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usranger74

Help me out here.

I have already confessed to not being mechanically inclined which is why I paid the dealer to put the light bar on.

Whey you say " wire with a relay" what do you mean?

Remember, I confessed!!

Bill

Bill, In simple terms.. and trust me Im simple LOL.. The relay brings power to the spots from a direct power sorce.IE: Battery(fused) The relay is switched off the bikes light switch.. This way you do draw more power then the stock sswitch can handle.. Should extend the life of stock switch...People say the stock switch is more a light duty switch and adding spots puts more stress on it,,,,,,,,,Hope I explained it OK...

Rich

skiman · 05-30-2010, 09:33 PM

When I rewired for my fairing I found my lights where tapped into the running lights they are 35watts each and had been on there for 8 years with no problems but I rewired a relay to the low beam wire

05-30-2010, 12:47 PM	#1
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	Light Bar - High/Low I just back back from a 4 week work detail in AL. While down there I had the local Kaw Shop put a Cobra light bar on my Nomad and a friend brought it back to my house. This AM I took a nice ride and discovered that the lights on the bar only come on when my headlight is on low beam. Is that the way most of you wire your light bar lights? Light bar lights/low beam?? I think I want them on even with my headlight on high beam. Bill __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-30-2010, 01:20 PM	#2
jd01 Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canton,Georgia Posts: 851	Light Bar - High/Low I have my lightbar wired to the front amber running lights, so they come on when I turn the ignition switch on. Not wired to headlight circuit and can run lightbar with headlight on high beam or low beam and not worry about chance of headlight and lightbar going out at same time. __________________ Don Denman "JD" 2001 Luminous Vintage Red carbed 1500 Nomad VBA #376 VROC #6195
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05-30-2010, 01:54 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Light Bar - High/Low No. I have mine wired independently of the headlight. I can turn them on when I want and off when I want. I'll bet the shop just spliced the power wire for the light bar into the low beam headlight circuit. That is not how it should be done. Rewire it through a relay and thank me later. There is probably a state law making it unlawful to have the driving lights on with the high beams. Not that I care, but that's probably why it was wired that way. Make them independent of the headlight so you control them. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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05-30-2010, 01:59 PM	#4
skiman Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Nashville,NC Posts: 782	Light Bar - High/Low Yep most states the driving lights must go off when the high beams come on. __________________ 2002 Nomad 1500 FI 12" buckhorn apes Chuckster air kit Mustang seat and fender bib Avon Venom tires 2 right side Harley mufflers the quiet side. TFI fuel control Progressive 430 shocks 430-4213B (Best Mod to the bike I've made) Progressive fork springs (See Above) Kuryakyn grips A touch of chrome farkles Reckless fairing color match 2 tone paint. Kenwood deck with Polk 5 1/4" speakers. 2007 GSX1250 Stock for now
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05-30-2010, 02:12 PM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Light Bar - High/Low I have mine wired separatly as well, then I have the choice of having them on whenever I nee regardless of the headlight. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-30-2010, 02:34 PM	#6
radco Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dedham Maine Posts: 4,199	Light Bar - High/Low My run with low beam only as well. As stated in some states that is the law... Did the dealer install a relay for the spots to break up the load? __________________
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05-30-2010, 02:36 PM	#7
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Light Bar - High/Low I run high beams with driving lights on all day here. I don't know if it's illegal or not. They can start enforcing that as soon as they start ticketing drivers with their heads up their asses. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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05-30-2010, 05:43 PM	#9
nomadrider Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: La Porte Texas Posts: 304	Light Bar - High/Low In texas I run with high beam and spotlights on .I counting on other driviers seeing me. __________________ Mike"nomadrider"Sitzman La Porte ,Texas VBA #0098 VROC #21609 2006 Green/Silver Nomad
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05-30-2010, 06:04 PM	#10
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	Light Bar - High/Low Help me out here. I have already confessed to not being mechanically inclined which is why I paid the dealer to put the light bar on. Whey you say " wire with a relay" what do you mean? Remember, I confessed!! Bill __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
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05-30-2010, 06:31 PM	#12
skiman Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Nashville,NC Posts: 782	Light Bar - High/Low I only use mine to be seen better so aim them a tad low nothing I hate more then passing some jackass on a 2 lane with his driving lights aimed right in your lane. I avoid night riding all together I figure if the number one thing cage drivers say after they kill a biker is I didn't see him we don't stand a chance at night. __________________ 2002 Nomad 1500 FI 12" buckhorn apes Chuckster air kit Mustang seat and fender bib Avon Venom tires 2 right side Harley mufflers the quiet side. TFI fuel control Progressive 430 shocks 430-4213B (Best Mod to the bike I've made) Progressive fork springs (See Above) Kuryakyn grips A touch of chrome farkles Reckless fairing color match 2 tone paint. Kenwood deck with Polk 5 1/4" speakers. 2007 GSX1250 Stock for now
	0

05-30-2010, 09:33 PM	#15
skiman Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Nashville,NC Posts: 782	Light Bar - High/Low When I rewired for my fairing I found my lights where tapped into the running lights they are 35watts each and had been on there for 8 years with no problems but I rewired a relay to the low beam wire __________________ 2002 Nomad 1500 FI 12" buckhorn apes Chuckster air kit Mustang seat and fender bib Avon Venom tires 2 right side Harley mufflers the quiet side. TFI fuel control Progressive 430 shocks 430-4213B (Best Mod to the bike I've made) Progressive fork springs (See Above) Kuryakyn grips A touch of chrome farkles Reckless fairing color match 2 tone paint. Kenwood deck with Polk 5 1/4" speakers. 2007 GSX1250 Stock for now
	0

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