Little electrical help needed
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Maryland
Little electrical help needed
Hi all, am seeking some or all of your knowledge on what I want to do.
So my knowledge on electrical is not great and don't want to risk burning up the bike, but I purchased a small/cheap radio system for my 97 Road King. The wires aren't long enough to actually reach the battery from the handlebars (handlebar mounted radio only). And TBH not sure I want to run directly to battery after my last little excursion I tried.
Soo anyhow, the wiring that is on this tiny little radio has 3 leads: 1 black(neg), 1 yellow (hot-pos) and 1 red that says to hook up to ignition switch. The black and yellow are on a white 2 prong clip plug which I will probably have to do away with.
I was thinking of running these wires into the headlight to hook up to the accessory switch. Is this a good idea? And what wires inside the headlight would I hook them up too?
Heck I haven't even looked to see how to open the headlight up yet, but figured I would get some insight on my situation beforehand.
Your help would be greatly appreciated and fyi I did do a search on here and didn't find much info on the 5 out of 10 pages I had read as most post were for 03's and up and had fairings.
Thank you much in advance.
So my knowledge on electrical is not great and don't want to risk burning up the bike, but I purchased a small/cheap radio system for my 97 Road King. The wires aren't long enough to actually reach the battery from the handlebars (handlebar mounted radio only). And TBH not sure I want to run directly to battery after my last little excursion I tried.
Soo anyhow, the wiring that is on this tiny little radio has 3 leads: 1 black(neg), 1 yellow (hot-pos) and 1 red that says to hook up to ignition switch. The black and yellow are on a white 2 prong clip plug which I will probably have to do away with.
I was thinking of running these wires into the headlight to hook up to the accessory switch. Is this a good idea? And what wires inside the headlight would I hook them up too?
Heck I haven't even looked to see how to open the headlight up yet, but figured I would get some insight on my situation beforehand.
Your help would be greatly appreciated and fyi I did do a search on here and didn't find much info on the 5 out of 10 pages I had read as most post were for 03's and up and had fairings.
Thank you much in advance.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
well.
on your '97 the power for the light runs through the ignition switch- if you have a fault there--- the bike dies.( so not a good idea to put in a high wattage bulb*)
If the switch burns up, replacement is expensive.
adding your own stuff to the equation increases the load...and the possibility of a fault.
so maybe incurring an expensive fix in the future
I would run the yellow wire to the battery...with a fuse in line at the battery end ( this is for the radio memory) put the wire inside a plastic tubing "sleeve" and run it under the gas tank.
I would get the power at the accessory switch on the back on the headlight nacelle- put a fuse inline.
and attach the ground to existing ground wires, tight and secure.
counter-intuitive, but soldered connections do not hold up on a bike.
use a quality crimp type connector where ever required
mike
* unless you pull fused power from the battery and use relays
on your '97 the power for the light runs through the ignition switch- if you have a fault there--- the bike dies.( so not a good idea to put in a high wattage bulb*)
If the switch burns up, replacement is expensive.
adding your own stuff to the equation increases the load...and the possibility of a fault.
so maybe incurring an expensive fix in the future
I would run the yellow wire to the battery...with a fuse in line at the battery end ( this is for the radio memory) put the wire inside a plastic tubing "sleeve" and run it under the gas tank.
I would get the power at the accessory switch on the back on the headlight nacelle- put a fuse inline.
and attach the ground to existing ground wires, tight and secure.
counter-intuitive, but soldered connections do not hold up on a bike.
use a quality crimp type connector where ever required
mike
* unless you pull fused power from the battery and use relays
Last edited by mkguitar; May 30, 2013 at 01:47 PM.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Maryland
Mike,
Thanks for your prompt and very informative reply.
Both the red and yellow wires already have the fuses attached which is a good thing. I will give this a go once I find some more wire to add on to what is on the radio. The wires barely make it half way down the tank so adding more to reach the battery is a must, LOL. I do have crimpers and crimping connectors. Will look in Home Depot or an Auto Parts store for the rubber tubing as well.
Again thank you for your help and the information provided.
Thanks for your prompt and very informative reply.
Both the red and yellow wires already have the fuses attached which is a good thing. I will give this a go once I find some more wire to add on to what is on the radio. The wires barely make it half way down the tank so adding more to reach the battery is a must, LOL. I do have crimpers and crimping connectors. Will look in Home Depot or an Auto Parts store for the rubber tubing as well.
Again thank you for your help and the information provided.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
stranded wire...not solid core ( resists breaking/ vibrations).
16 or 18 awg gauge should be fine.
tubing: i get at electronic shop-- even double up on heat shrink tubing. it is to help resist chafing/rub through on bike
Mike
16 or 18 awg gauge should be fine.
tubing: i get at electronic shop-- even double up on heat shrink tubing. it is to help resist chafing/rub through on bike
Mike
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 17
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From: Maryland
Again thanks for the help. Off to the store to get supplies and then figure out how to get to the Accessory switch hookup. All new to me, LOL.
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