Author Topic: Best way to wire in extra lights...  (Read 19771 times)

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Offline biglad

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #20 on: November 04, 2015, 08:57:16 »
Cheers - I think that's what I meant! - your description is far better than mine!!

Join the positives from the lamps and one side of the switch together and solder on a single length to this and join the other end of the single length to the fusebox.

Repeat for the negatives...

Offline king1

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #21 on: November 04, 2015, 19:05:08 »
Hi
A technical question about running lights.
I have bought the cree lights that use 15w of power.

If I wire them up to the headlights, would it have any bad effect, 1 light to each headlight.
 I would also fit an inline fuse.

I would rather not fit extra switches to operate them and they will be on all the time.

Offline bigpie

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #22 on: November 04, 2015, 19:39:23 »
Personally, I wouldn't wire them in to the headlight circuit, that's extra load going over the wires and switch gear and it might not have been designed with that much overhead.

I would wire them with a relay that is activated by a switched live, such as the headlights or the handy one just under the tank that is for the tail light. There is also a heated grips connector somewhere near the radiator that I believe is switched live when the ignition is on that you could use if it is not in use.

I do make a fusebox that is plug and play but the last one is spoken for, I'll not be making any more until there's 4 or 5 interested buyers, but they aren't too difficult to make up.

Offline MartinW

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #23 on: November 04, 2015, 19:48:44 »
As Bigpie said, don't connect them to the headlight wires.

The stock cabling can only just handle the 2x55W for the normal headlights and it's not a good idea to add more watts to that.

So, use a fusebox or some other switched live circuit.
Tall, Dark and Handsome (In 1987) - Just tall now !!

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Offline king1

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #24 on: November 05, 2015, 00:37:13 »
Bigpie

What sort of relay do I need, amps?

Offline king1

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Offline UK_Vstrom650

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #26 on: November 05, 2015, 08:22:15 »
Something like that. You won't need the middle pin (think you can just remove that). You'll need an inline fuse. This should give you an idea of how to wire it up http://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=22445.0

Offline biglad

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #27 on: November 07, 2015, 16:38:02 »
I got my bike all rigged up. I fitted the switch and as you switch the lights on and off it cycles through the high beam/low beam/ flashing cycles. 

I fitted heated grips while I had the bike opened up.

The fuse box definitely made the whole job easier!

Offline FlyingPanMan

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #28 on: November 08, 2015, 13:04:31 »
An earlier post linked to a YouTube video on how to disable the U5 CREE spotlight dim and strobe modes.

My lights had different circuitry with a separate green coloured driver/psu circuit board shrink wrapped between the two halves of the light body. I cut off the shrink wrap and removed the eight-legged chip in the corner of the board... NOT THE ONE more in the centre of the board.

It seems to have worked, but time will tell.

My backup plan was to bin the circuit board and wire the leds to separate driver units mounted under the seat. These are on ebay at £3.99 from China.

Offline biglad

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #29 on: November 08, 2015, 15:50:39 »
Yep, I did watch the youtube clip, but given I could write what I know about electrics on the back of a stamp, I figured it best to live with cycling through the modes with each flick of the switch. Not optimal maybe, but at least I couldn't break them! Maybe one day I'll take the time to learn- I did quite enjoy doing the job...

Offline biglad

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #30 on: November 09, 2015, 17:50:24 »
This might be a daft question....but do these lights have a top and bottom. Reason I ask is that as they have a high& low beam ibwould have thought there would be an optimum way to fit them?

Going to take them off and see how they shine in different positions.

Biglad

Offline biglad

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #31 on: November 09, 2015, 21:02:09 »
That was a daft question!! Been out and made some adjustments to the angle of them.

Offline Asmith61

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #32 on: November 09, 2015, 22:07:25 »
Hi big lad glad you got your bike all sorted now, I also started at the weekend to fit one of big pies aux fuse boards( which I must say is brilliant and a must have item), I also fitted heed crash bars, and have Cree running lights to fit hopefully get them done tommorow after work, I also have Oxford hot grips to fit, now I know you have just fitted some heated grips what sort of job was it please ?

Offline biglad

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #33 on: November 10, 2015, 08:13:05 »
I used the Dr Bike ones with the rotary temperature control. The job itself was fairly straightforward. I threaded the cable  between the bars and the fuse box under the tank while I had it lifted. I took the old grips off, cleaned the old adhesive off with some v.fine sandpaper. I had the take the outer flange off on the throttle grip as the new one wouldn't slide over it - I used a craft knife. When I put the grips on I spread the super glue around the bar / throttle slider, lined the grip up, and smacked it with a mallet. While the glue's wet its like a lubricant, for a few seconds anyway, until it sets solid. Be quick...

I've got the plugs for the grips and controller under the tank.

I've got my cables coming up on top of the levers, seems to work well.

I had more hassle with the lights, though this was due to my lack of electrical knowledge!! However I got there in the end. I've got my lights mounted on the crash bars, though I might see if I can lift them up a bit (perhaps hang them from the indicator stalks) - I think this might give a better beam...

Offline Asmith61

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #34 on: November 10, 2015, 18:44:38 »
Hi big lad thank you for your reply, I have just come in from the garage I have the lights mounted on the heed bars and have just tried both lights by just pushing the bare wires in the connectors, ( I also have little knowledge of electrics but will get there) thanks for your input on the heated grips I will do them later on this week. Cheers

Offline Toddy64

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #35 on: November 10, 2015, 20:36:11 »
Here's a handy wee description of using a relay.
http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/relay.php

Offline biglad

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #36 on: November 10, 2015, 21:51:55 »
I'm a proper newbie when it comes to electrics .....so please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think bigpie's fuse box does this job- and is basically a plug and play item. Even I could do it!!!  His device comes with 3 attachment points (wrong terminology but you'll understand what I mean) . I've used one for my heated grips, one for my led lights and I need to find something for the other one!! 

I'm keen to learn more about electrics so did read and (try to)  understand the article.

If anyone knows of a book/weblink to auto electric guide for newbies I'd well be up for it... my electric knowledge is shocking...now, how do I wire up those loud horns?!?!?

Offline MartinW

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #37 on: November 10, 2015, 21:57:14 »
Wiring up horns? Have a look HERE
Tall, Dark and Handsome (In 1987) - Just tall now !!

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Offline Asmith61

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #38 on: November 14, 2015, 21:57:55 »
Hi big lad that's interesting I have also just wired up gree lights using big pies aux fuse board, I have used 2 of the take off points for the lights ( one in each ) but I read you have only used one of the take off points do they work OK ?  :)

Offline bigpie

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Re: Best way to wire in extra lights...
« Reply #39 on: November 14, 2015, 22:03:53 »
Using just one will be fine, iirc they are 15w each so 30w at 12v is 2.5 amp.