Where's the power??

[OFOAM]

I want to install some aux lights ('09 GS). I'm going to mount one set on the crash bar to get that triangular effect. Then a set up higher (driving lights) to go with the high beam. The problem is in knowing the best way to break into the power for the high/low beam lights. I know others have done this so I thought I'd see if someone could help. I can probably figure it out, but if one of you has already solved the problem, I could save some time.
Mick

[marc]

Main power has to come from the battery. There is no other choice. The control of that power can come from any of several spots. I prefer to wire the control line to my headlamp. That way the aux lights don't come on until the bike is started. If I were to add driving lights I'd trigger them through the high beam.

The diagram is something like this:

headlight ........ light switch ........... relay

battery........................................ relay............... aux lights

In my case I added a fuzeblock to wire in some other farkles. The circuit layout I used is



Click on the diagram for more info.

[OFOAM]

Marc,
Thanks for the reply. My problem is not in the wire procedure. I just needed to know where to break into the light power. I talked to a friend today about the high beam power. So that takes care of the driving lights. The fog lights (the ones I mount down low) will be on when the low beam is on. Unless there is a way of triggering off the low beam, I need to find a different power source (ie, active when the key is on). And that is what I am looking for now. If you can tell me where to get this, it would save me a lot of work. I am not using a switch for the fog lights. They're are on and off with the main power or low beam power. Hope I explained this OK.
Mick

[marc]

Uhhh, thats what I did. Fog lights are powered from the battery through a relay. The relay is triggered from the low beam. When the low beam is on the fog lights will be on. Most put a switch between the trigger source (low beam light in this case) and the relay.

Power to the lights MUST come from the battery. Any other source will cause problems. That means you also have to use a relay to switch the power.

[kurt1305]

I tapped into the low beam light wire just inside the headlight housing. I ran the wire through the 90 degree vent tube just to the side and used a posi-tap on the yellow(?) wire. I have also used the positive wire to power outlet under the tool tray to trigger another relay.

[OFOAM]

Kurt,
Thanks for the info. that is just what I was looking for. How to wire everything up wasn't my issue. I just wasn't sure where to get the power for the fog lights that mount to the crash bar. I knew I could use the positive wire off the bulb, but didn't know how to get the wire out of the bulb housing. The vent tube is just the route I needed. I know which one you are referring to. I didn't think about the hot wire to the power outlet. That could also work. I think I'm on the road to success. Now I just have to find lights that I like.
Mick

[kurt1305]

I used Hella FF50's from Amazon.com ($89) and a SW Motech light bar from Twisted Throttle ($34). You have to do your own wiring, as the kit contains a relay, roll of wire and some connectors, but it isn't hard.

[ca1ic0cat]

I spliced into the low beam wire not far from the connection to the headlight and used Ancor marine grade adhesive lined shring tubing to seal everything up. Did the same for the high beam for the driving lights. Those wires change the state of the two relays. I used the fuse box farkle that is described on this site to distribute main power from a single battery tap. Works very well. The circuit is pretty much as Marc drew it.