Aux. lighting and wireing

llirttoc · 07-13-2008, 07:40 AM

I would like to wire two six inch 100w lights to my high beam switch. My questions are:
Is this even a good idea?
Do I need to add a relay and what does a relay do?
Will the switch handle the extra load?

Spicy McHaggis · 07-13-2008, 12:18 PM

More info is needed.

What moto? Year?

I would say for certain YES to the relay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by llirttoc

I would like to wire two six inch 100w lights to my high beam switch. My questions are:
Is this even a good idea?
Do I need to add a relay and what does a relay do?
Will the switch handle the extra load?

llirttoc · 07-13-2008, 03:45 PM

Patrol 2007

GLennA · 07-13-2008, 04:09 PM

You should definitely use a relay. Two 100W lights will draw about 17 amps. I doubt that the high/low switch is rated for that much current. The coil in the relay should draw about 1/2 an amp. You can probably use the high/low switch to energize the relay without adverse effect. Check you service manual because I'm just spouting electronic theory here.

eastbloc · 07-13-2008, 05:09 PM

I recommend putting a separate switch. Then you'll be able to use the lights with your low beams at night in traffic.

Just fuse it and run it to the battery, it's the same amount of work as adding a relay which you'd otherwise definitely be wise to install.

llirttoc · 07-14-2008, 08:57 AM

The reasoning for using the existing hi beam switch is the lack of finding a suitable handle bar mounted, water proof one. If I used a relay for each light would that work? Thanks for the replies.

Gringo · 07-14-2008, 10:13 AM

one relay will run both lights.

eastbloc · 07-14-2008, 10:23 AM

If you can't find a switch to your liking, consider an Autoswitch.

http://www.autoswitch.com/2006/model...5p_index.shtml

This will allow you to use your existing switchgear and still differentiate functions between high beams and auxiliary lights. I use one of these to turn on the PIAAs on my R1150GS hack and it works very nicely. However, you will still need to employ a relay.

llirttoc · 07-23-2008, 05:39 AM

After doing a little searching on the www I found this cool diagram. It helped me understand how to wire a relay. So easy, I can do it

llirttoc · 07-23-2008, 05:46 AM

And this is what a relay looks like:
Just trying to help some one else out. I'm sure I'm not the only moron that didn't know this dark art of wiring an aux. light properly

lout · 07-23-2008, 06:31 AM

Try http://www.bcae1.com/relays.htm to see how relays can be wired.

Lout

llirttoc · 07-27-2008, 07:51 AM

Thank you for the helpful reply and link

07-13-2008, 07:40 AM	#1
llirttoc ^OP Ural Driver Joined: Aug 2006 Location: cambridge, ohio Oddometer: 162	Aux. lighting and wireing I would like to wire two six inch 100w lights to my high beam switch. My questions are: Is this even a good idea? Do I need to add a relay and what does a relay do? Will the switch handle the extra load? __________________ Later, llirttoc always pursuing the ghost of rationality '07 Ural Patrol

07-13-2008, 03:45 PM	#3
llirttoc ^OP Ural Driver Joined: Aug 2006 Location: cambridge, ohio Oddometer: 162	Patrol 2007 __________________ Later, llirttoc always pursuing the ghost of rationality '07 Ural Patrol

07-13-2008, 05:09 PM	#5
eastbloc comprador bourgeois Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Brooklyn Oddometer: 1,229	I recommend putting a separate switch. Then you'll be able to use the lights with your low beams at night in traffic. Just fuse it and run it to the battery, it's the same amount of work as adding a relay which you'd otherwise definitely be wise to install. __________________ '86 V65 Magna '01 R1150GS/Ural '03 Ural Wolf '05 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 '09 Kawasaki Versys

07-14-2008, 08:57 AM	#6
llirttoc ^OP Ural Driver Joined: Aug 2006 Location: cambridge, ohio Oddometer: 162	The reasoning for using the existing hi beam switch is the lack of finding a suitable handle bar mounted, water proof one. If I used a relay for each light would that work? Thanks for the replies. __________________ Later, llirttoc always pursuing the ghost of rationality '07 Ural Patrol

07-14-2008, 10:13 AM	#7
Gringo simple by nature Joined: Jun 2003 Location: a small drinking village with a fishing problem Oddometer: 1,348	one relay will run both lights. __________________ - Gringo ____________________________________________ "I mean seriously, what is funnier than Helen Keller" - Mutineer "Ah, yes, Greasing the nipples is really the cure all for a whole host of ailments." - Stagehand

07-13-2008, 04:09 PM	#4
GLennA Two Wheel Junkie Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Capital City, SC Oddometer: 4	You should definitely use a relay. Two 100W lights will draw about 17 amps. I doubt that the high/low switch is rated for that much current. The coil in the relay should draw about 1/2 an amp. You can probably use the high/low switch to energize the relay without adverse effect. Check you service manual because I'm just spouting electronic theory here.

07-14-2008, 10:23 AM	#8
eastbloc comprador bourgeois Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Brooklyn Oddometer: 1,229	If you can't find a switch to your liking, consider an Autoswitch. http://www.autoswitch.com/2006/model...5p_index.shtml This will allow you to use your existing switchgear and still differentiate functions between high beams and auxiliary lights. I use one of these to turn on the PIAAs on my R1150GS hack and it works very nicely. However, you will still need to employ a relay. __________________ '86 V65 Magna '01 R1150GS/Ural '03 Ural Wolf '05 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 '09 Kawasaki Versys

07-23-2008, 05:39 AM	#9
llirttoc ^OP Ural Driver Joined: Aug 2006 Location: cambridge, ohio Oddometer: 162	score !! After doing a little searching on the www I found this cool diagram. It helped me understand how to wire a relay. So easy, I can do it Attached Images __________________ Later, llirttoc always pursuing the ghost of rationality '07 Ural Patrol

07-23-2008, 05:46 AM	#10
llirttoc ^OP Ural Driver Joined: Aug 2006 Location: cambridge, ohio Oddometer: 162	and another pic And this is what a relay looks like: Just trying to help some one else out. I'm sure I'm not the only moron that didn't know this dark art of wiring an aux. light properly Attached Images __________________ Later, llirttoc always pursuing the ghost of rationality '07 Ural Patrol

07-23-2008, 06:31 AM	#11
lout AYCIC Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Cambridge Oddometer: 708	Try http://www.bcae1.com/relays.htm to see how relays can be wired. Lout

07-27-2008, 07:51 AM	#12
llirttoc ^OP Ural Driver Joined: Aug 2006 Location: cambridge, ohio Oddometer: 162	Thank you for the helpful reply and link __________________ Later, llirttoc always pursuing the ghost of rationality '07 Ural Patrol

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