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Hey guys - new owner / first-time Harley. Promptly added auxiliary lights and fog lamps to my new ride. Looking for advice / experience re: wiring / control options...
Current state
New lights installed by the dealer. Both the auxiliary lights and the fog lamps are on the same switch. The switch is independent of the headlight operation, and is currently NOT impacted by the high-beam switch (i.e. aux and fog-lamps are both always on when switched on / stay off when switched off.) I did not give much thought to the install before picking up the bike. Now find myself thinking about it a lot...
Conversation w/ the dealer service tech at pick-up:
Q. Shouldn't they be on separate switches?
A. The default is both sharing one switch via 'Y' connector.
(They offered to split them to two switches if I wanted to / claimed they'd need to get another switch and run extra wire back to battery)
Q. Shouldn't they turn-off when the high-beam is on or flashed)?
A. Most guys find that they want them on all the time - we can make the change via a computer program / setting.
(They offered to change if I desired)
I drove off thinking about what might be best - and wondering if I was getting good info from the dealer, or just getting the easy-answer to avoid additional work (hoping it was the former). Either way, I'll be back for my 1,000m service in a month or so and fully expect they'll make the changes if I request.
What I'm thinking:
I think I would like the lights on separate switches, but then again I'm not sure I'd ever run one without the other. The whole idea was to throw as much light up from as possible. So maybe we're fine with one switch.
I think I would like them to toggle OFF when the high-beams are on; this would make flashing my high beams much more noticeable. But then again, if I need to ride with high-beams I would forfeit the additional light. Hmmm...
Hence my post to y'all... Looking for advice and experience from those who have and are willing to offer. What say you? Much appreciation in advance!
One switch or two would be completely personal preference so do what you like. If the purpose is your visibility, as opposed to your vision, then one switch makes more sense to me.
I rewired my lights to be on no matter the headlight hi/lo position. I want the extra light for both vision & visibility. Just be aware that in some (most/all?) jurisdictions it is not legal to run fog/auxiliary lights with high beams. Although I don't remember ever hearing of anyone being cited for it.
One switch or two would be completely personal preference so do what you like. If the purpose is your visibility, as opposed to your vision, then one switch makes more sense to me.
Yep-yep... Leaning towards leaving them on one switch.
Originally Posted by ORradtech
I rewired my lights to be on no matter the headlight hi/lo position. I want the extra light for both vision & visibility. Just be aware that in some (most/all?) jurisdictions it is not legal to run fog/auxiliary lights with high beams. Although I don't remember ever hearing of anyone being cited for it.
I mentioned this (legality of config) and the feeling was as you've described...
Appreciate the input. Would love to hear from others. What's your set-yp? How are the aux-lights wired on a standard Electra? What about fog lamps?
Not sure on yours but my 08 ultra has a separate switch for the factory spots. There is an aux switch that is tied to a power plug under the seat. My understanding is that most have this. Even my buddy's 2000 RK has the aux under seat with a switch up front. I believe if you don't have the aux switch you still have the extra circuit. I am assuming this is what they meant when they said they would get another switch to separate them. I run mine all the time for visibility. Theirs not mine.
I dont' ride much at night but when I do it's all the lights all the time. I pretty much never use high beam because with the spots on I am putting out more light and the light goes out to the side farther which is more valuable in rural settings.
OP - the way your bike is setup now is by far the most popular and most desired setup, IMHO, so my suggestion is to leave it as is. I believe your dealer did right by and for you in the setup.
OP - the way your bike is setup now is by far the most popular and most desired setup, IMHO, so my suggestion is to leave it as is. I believe your dealer did right by and for you in the setup.
Mine is setup to run the passing lamps WITH the high beams. For a couple reasons. With today's LED headlamps in the cars, there are quite a few asshats who don't bother to turn their brights off at night. So flashing my highbeam and having the fog lights on emphasizes that they should. But, more importantly, when I'm riding alone at night can turn the brights on and enjoy that much more visibility. I live in an area with quite a bit of wildlife (deer) and don't want to hit one because it wasn't visible until the last minute. Remember, on a bike, being seen and your own visibility are worth more than anything in an emergency situation.
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Need Advice / Experience - Aux Lighting
