HD Tour Pack questions

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

I don't think there's a key but I can get another lock, keyed the same as a Harley key I already have for around $30. I'm good with that.



It looks like that adds running lights to turn signals. I need just the opposite. I need to add turn signals to running lights.

Chris, I have a suggestion that might work...

When I installed lights on my tourpack (Nomad) I had two oblong LED lights on each side of the rear. They were actually LED marker or clearance lights. I wanted all of them to function as taillights and then the outer two to act as turn signals and the inner two to act as brake lights.

() () () () = Taillights (all 4 lights on)
"()"() ()() = Left turn
()() ()"()" = Right turn
()"()" "()"() = Stop

How I did this was by using some small prewired circuits. These circuits allow you use 1 light for 2 functions, so there's 2 inputs and one output.

So, how does this work, you might ask?

Of the two inputs, one outputs standard line voltage (+12v) and the other outputs something less. So I connected the taillight circuit to the lower voltage input and then the turn or brake circuit to the higher voltage input. The taillights were a little dimmer than the brake or turn signals.

These worked pretty well for my application. These circuits are small, really just a wire pigtail and they were quite inexpensive - I think they were $6-$7 each. They never failed in the 30,000 miles or so I used them on my bike.

If you are interested, I can look up the vendor when I get home from work this evening and give you more info.

I looked and looked for a viable solution to what I was trying to do, and this seemed to be the best I could come up with. You have to be creative when wiring something like this up on a bare tourpak with no lights, because there aren't many ready-made solutions out there.

[Monkeyman]

I wouldn't mind a bit more info, CJ. I might have found something through Custom Dynamics (link is at home) but I think I'd have to use their run/turn/brake thingy in addition. And I'm still not sure how non-HD compatible it is. I doubt CD will be able to tell me as I would imagine they're just a fancy reseller.

[ringadingh]

Your right Chris, my mistake.

[Monkeyman]

I would imagine most want to do what you're talking about, not what I want to do.

[ringadingh]

I imagine the controller would work on a Kawi as well as on a HD, just use the correct wires it says to regardless if its a different color code.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

I wouldn't mind a bit more info, CJ. I might have found something through Custom Dynamics (link is at home) but I think I'd have to use their run/turn/brake thingy in addition. And I'm still not sure how non-HD compatible it is. I doubt CD will be able to tell me as I would imagine they're just a fancy reseller.

Found it! Here you go...

http://www.chromeglow.com/catalog.asp?prodid=520657

These are cheap, dependable, and very easy to use. I can draw you a schematic if you need it.

[Monkeyman]

I'm pretty sure they're incandecent, not LEDs. :( I wouldn't mind LEDs in those corners but the only LEDs I've seen have been a completely different unit or LED boards that plug into the standard socket already there. If there's a way to make it work with the non-LED bulbs, figure me out. :)

[Monkeyman]

I just thought of another question. Just from reading here and there, it seems the rear light assembly is not only bolted on but there's some use of silicone/glue/caulk too. Would it be better to remove it for paint (I'd want it painted, too) or just leave it in place and remove/tape off the antenna studs and lenses? I'd hate to break something pulling it off and/or mess up the paint as I'm reinstalling it.

[ringadingh]

Leave it in place and tape around the lights, the light housing is a flat black plastic piece that doesn't require painting.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Chris, I have a suggestion that might work...

When I installed lights on my tourpack (Nomad) I had two oblong LED lights on each side of the rear. They were actually LED marker or clearance lights. I wanted all of them to function as taillights and then the outer two to act as turn signals and the inner two to act as brake lights.

() () () () = Taillights (all 4 lights on)
"()"() ()() = Left turn
()() ()"()" = Right turn
()"()" "()"() = Stop

How I did this was by using some small prewired circuits. These circuits allow you use 1 light for 2 functions, so there's 2 inputs and one output.

So, how does this work, you might ask?

Of the two inputs, one outputs standard line voltage (+12v) and the other outputs something less. So I connected the taillight circuit to the lower voltage input and then the turn or brake circuit to the higher voltage input. The taillights were a little dimmer than the brake or turn signals.

These worked pretty well for my application. These circuits are small, really just a wire pigtail and they were quite inexpensive - I think they were $6-$7 each. They never failed in the 30,000 miles or so I used them on my bike.

If you are interested, I can look up the vendor when I get home from work this evening and give you more info.

I looked and looked for a viable solution to what I was trying to do, and this seemed to be the best I could come up with. You have to be creative when wiring something like this up on a bare tourpak with no lights, because there aren't many ready-made solutions out there.

Would that circuit work on 1156 bulbs or do they have to be led's?

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

Leave it in place and tape around the lights, the light housing is a flat black plastic piece that doesn't require painting.

I know it doesn't "require" painting but since I'll have the box painted black (glossy), I didn't know if it would look a bit out of place being flat black.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

Would that circuit work on 1156 bulbs or do they have to be led's?

I'm pretty sure they have to be LED's. I have never tried it with incandescent bulbs. I'd guess that it couldn't handle the current load.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

I know it doesn't "require" painting but since I'll have the box painted black (glossy), I didn't know if it would look a bit out of place being flat black.

I think it would look stupid painted glossy black. Jmo.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I'm pretty sure they have to be LED's. I have never tried it with incandescent bulbs. I'd guess that it couldn't handle the current load.

That was my feeling on it as well.

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

I think it would look stupid painted glossy black. Jmo.

You might be right. I'll take a closer look at it when I get it Saturday.