Lights on after engine fires up
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
Lights on after engine fires up
I am installing a light relay and diode to make the lights come on after the engine fires up. Anyone done that and has anyone needed to replace spot switch. I am considering installing relay to protect this switch but wonder if it's necessary. Also, is there any reason I would want the spot lights to go off on toggling to bright as they do now? Thanks, vernv
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
I simply disconnected the light lead from the accessory relay in my relay cluster. This allows me to fire and run the bike without the headlights being on all the time. It's a good way to allow the bike full power for cranking, and a way to put a higher charge in the battery after a start.
My spotlights are on a toggle without a relay. They are HD optional spots and I know for a fact they draw a lot of juice off the electrical. Mine are either on or off, no dim / bright modes. The toggle for them has held up just fine. I'm not much of a night rider but when running all lights, including spots there is a huge drain especially when adding brake and turn signal lights.
My spotlights are on a toggle without a relay. They are HD optional spots and I know for a fact they draw a lot of juice off the electrical. Mine are either on or off, no dim / bright modes. The toggle for them has held up just fine. I'm not much of a night rider but when running all lights, including spots there is a huge drain especially when adding brake and turn signal lights.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
Hi JohnnyC,
Thanks for the note. I'm not crazy on the idea of a separate switch. I would be likely to forget and not turn them on. I'm going to take a signal off the alternator and turn them on with a second relay. I'm not sure what to do about the spots being on the low beam circuit. I wonder why Harley did it that way. v
Thanks for the note. I'm not crazy on the idea of a separate switch. I would be likely to forget and not turn them on. I'm going to take a signal off the alternator and turn them on with a second relay. I'm not sure what to do about the spots being on the low beam circuit. I wonder why Harley did it that way. v
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
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From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
The spot lights operating only when low beams are on is a way to keep from overloading the electrical system. Harley wired them that way to prevent overloading the system. Bright beams and spots draw a huge amount of juice, especially when operated together.
Tapping into the electrical from anywhere other than the battery may overload the wiring your taking a tap from. Direct from battery with it's own line heavy enough to take the current draw is best. And don't forget the inline fuse to prevent damaging the battery in case of a short.
Tapping into the electrical from anywhere other than the battery may overload the wiring your taking a tap from. Direct from battery with it's own line heavy enough to take the current draw is best. And don't forget the inline fuse to prevent damaging the battery in case of a short.
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kyknights
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Apr 9, 2008 12:45 PM
