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| sleepngbear | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Sep 2012 - 11:59 Post title : Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring | | | I've got a pair of Rivco driving lights that I was going to install on a previous bike but never did. I think they'll go nicely with p-clamps on the dresser bars, but I've seen conflicting information on the pre-installed light switch and circuit on the Thunderbird.
My questions are:
Is that circuit currently live, where all I need do is find the hot leading the headlight bucket and plug in?
Is it safe to assume that, if it is live, it's already on a relay?
If it is NOT live, what additional steps will I need to take to make it hot?
I'm no electrical expert by any stretch, but I do know my way around simple circuits, so any other advice or suggestions for wiring in after-market lights would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks much!
| Ed
2012 Marble Red Haze Thunderbird 1600
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| EnGage | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Sep 2012 - 12:31 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: sleepngbear) | | | There is a wiring diagram in this thread: Link
The standard wiring is on a relay such that while the starter is engaged, the lights go out, but technically you should have another relay for the switch. Some are running power through the switch without issue, but a relay would be the preferred way to go.
| | Post edited by EnGage on 04 Sep 2012 - 12:32 |
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| sleepngbear | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Sep 2012 - 12:51 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: EnGage) | | |
EnGage wrote:
There is a wiring diagram in this thread: Link
The standard wiring is on a relay such that while the starter is engaged, the lights go out, but technically you should have another relay for the switch. Some are running power through the switch without issue, but a relay would be the preferred way to go. |
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Hmmmm ... These are 55w each, so a relay is probably a good idea then. 
| Ed
2012 Marble Red Haze Thunderbird 1600
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| mjgt | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 04 Sep 2012 - 20:53 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: sleepngbear) | | | Definatly, they will pull almost 10A.
| Mick . . .  Keep the rubber side down!!
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| sleepngbear | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Sep 2012 - 22:12 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: mjgt) | | |
mjgt wrote:
Definatly, they will pull almost 10A. |
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Yup, that much I do know ... I just wasn't sure if the switch was wired to safely handle that. I'm pretty sure the switch kit I bought with the lights includes a relay, so it's just a matter of figuring out which wire goes where now. The link that EnGage provided has enough info to make it look pretty straightforward.
I hadn't even noticed the How To forum here, duh ... I will definitely hit there first next time I have a question. 
| Ed
2012 Marble Red Haze Thunderbird 1600
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| thanks4thefish42 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/11/2010 | | Posts | : | 269 | | Location | : | High Springs, FL, United States |
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| | Posted : 06 Sep 2012 - 01:27 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: mjgt) | | | snip-found the answer in the link above......this was a dumb question
| Other rides
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 LT
Suzuki Boulevard S50
BMW R90/6-Luftmeister fairing
Calling upon my years of experience, I froze at the controls. ~Stirling Moss
| | Post edited by thanks4thefish42 on 06 Sep 2012 - 08:13 |
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| magpie | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,507 | | Location | : | NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 06 Sep 2012 - 12:10 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: thanks4thefish42) | | |
Fishy,
No such thing as a dumb question......I ask them all the time !
If members feel they need to ask......then they should ask !
we don't set the bar on anything here......
We are from all levels of society.......
Don't discriminate !
Magpie
| Magpie - "I dream of a better world.....where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned "
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| thanks4thefish42 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 11/11/2010 | | Posts | : | 269 | | Location | : | High Springs, FL, United States |
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| | Posted : 06 Sep 2012 - 14:17 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: magpie) | | | OK, I will re ask it then-
I'm trying to figure out if the stock OEM auxillary light set up has a separate relay that is activated by the stock light switch for the lights or does the entire 110watts run through the switch. I think auxillary lights are the best safety device on a bike other than a sober rider.
| Other rides
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 LT
Suzuki Boulevard S50
BMW R90/6-Luftmeister fairing
Calling upon my years of experience, I froze at the controls. ~Stirling Moss
| | Post edited by thanks4thefish42 on 06 Sep 2012 - 14:17 |
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| mjgt | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 06 Sep 2012 - 17:01 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: thanks4thefish42) | | | What a dumb question  
| Mick . . . Keep the rubber side down!!
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| sleepngbear | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 06 Sep 2012 - 18:54 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: thanks4thefish42) | | |
thanks4thefish42 wrote:
OK, I will re ask it then-
I'm trying to figure out if the stock OEM auxillary light set up has a separate relay that is activated by the stock light switch for the lights or does the entire 110watts run through the switch. I think auxillary lights are the best safety device on a bike other than a sober rider.
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From what I can gather, the stock setup goes straight through the switch and does not have a separate relay. But according to this Link provided by EnGage above, in the headlight bucket are the switched power, a fused always-on power and a ground all conveniently harnessed together, which really simplifies adding a relay.
| Ed
2012 Marble Red Haze Thunderbird 1600
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| mjgt | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 08 Sep 2012 - 16:24 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: sleepngbear) | | | Yes that is a diagram taken straight from the manuel, on your accesory plug in the hearlamp shell pin 1 is swithed live which does go through a relay and 15A fuse, pin 2 is a direct live from a fuse, either 10 or 15 depending on bike and pin 3 is the earth. If you are going to use 2 x 55 watt side light you will be drawing 14.6A through that 15A fuse so it may well blow on first switch on. I think the triumph units are 35W.
| Mick . . . Keep the rubber side down!!
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| sleepngbear | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 08 Sep 2012 - 17:04 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: mjgt) | | |
mjgt wrote:
Yes that is a diagram taken straight from the manuel, on your accesory plug in the hearlamp shell pin 1 is swithed live which does go through a relay and 15A fuse, pin 2 is a direct live from a fuse, either 10 or 15 depending on bike and pin 3 is the earth. If you are going to use 2 x 55 watt side light you will be drawing 14.6A through that 15A fuse so it may well blow on first switch on. I think the triumph units are 35W. |
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Yup, too close for comfort. Will def be adding the other relay for the foggies.
| Ed
2012 Marble Red Haze Thunderbird 1600
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| feduke | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 08 Sep 2012 - 22:29 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: thanks4thefish42) | | |
thanks4thefish42 wrote:
snip-found the answer in the link above......this was a dumb question |
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Good! For a while there I thought I was the only one with that opinion.
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| sleepngbear | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 09 Sep 2012 - 00:33 Post title : Re: Another dumb question, re: driving/fog light wiring (Re: feduke) | | |
feduke wrote:
thanks4thefish42 wrote:
snip-found the answer in the link above......this was a dumb question |
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Good! For a while there I thought I was the only one with that opinion. |
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OK, that's 15 yards for piling on...
| Ed
2012 Marble Red Haze Thunderbird 1600
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