For Those Who Know----Running Lights

[Dubsvalk]

My '98 Tourer has a set of running lights on it that have not been hooked up.  I am getting ready to hook them up but was wondering how others did it.  I was thinking of attaching them to the positive lead going to the headlight but don't know if the system would handle the load without a relay.  So, how has everyone else installed theirs?
Thanks for the help!
Dubs

[John Schmidt]

Running lights....are you talking about a set of 4" or 4.5" lights that sit on either side of the headlight? Usually 35 or 55 watt. Sometimes referred to "driving lights" or the Harley folks call them "spots" or passing lights. Whatever!! You need to hook them up totally separate from the headlight circuit...which is already overloaded in stock form. That way, if the headlight goes out you still have lights to get you home. And yes, use a relay. Some of us install an extra fuse panel under the right side cover which is relay activated by the 5 amp accessory connectors under that same side.

[Dubsvalk]

Thanks John!  I wanted to be sure before running wires.  So you are saying to pull power from the accessory post on the original fuse panel to a fused circuit with a relay?  I did that on my Vulcan when I added a faring to it.  Not a bad job.
Thanks again.
Dubs