which wire?

[dubsider]

Hello all ..
I am planning to add a set of driving lights ..
Which switched wire is best to tap into?
.. if possible, a picture would really help (I am not so good at reading an electric diagram)

[MP]

two choices.
1. Using a relay, use the acc. wire to trigger the relay.  Thus, lights go out when key turned off.
2.  Use the headlight wire to trigger the relay.
   Advantage, the additional lights go out when starting the bike, just like the headlights.
   Disadvantage,   if you lose power to the headlights, you also lose the driving lights.

MP

[dubsider]

thanks MP.
what kind of connector do I need to add to the switching light wire to hook into the accessory wire?
How do I determine which wire is the headlight wire (there a quite of few in the bucket)..

dub..

[Ricky-D]

I would suggest using the first option MP listed since this is the least dangerous when/if a failure occurs.

In addition, I would also suggest employing a toggle switch with which you can shut the driving lights off manually when you desire.

With this set up, you are protecting the OEM lighting circuits and maintaining complete control over the additional lighting circuit.

***

[dubsider]

I would suggest using the first option MP listed since this is the least dangerous when/if a failure occurs.

In addition, I would also suggest employing a toggle switch with which you can shut the driving lights off manually when you desire.

With this set up, you are protecting the OEM lighting circuits and maintaining complete control over the additional lighting circuit.

***

exactly -- this is the thought.. I plan to use a pre-fabbed wiring harness from Kuryakyn or PIAA.  What connector do I need to attach to the accessory outlet?

[tank_post142]

suggest you check out chets pages here:
http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/circuits.html

[MP]

I would suggest using the first option MP listed since this is the least dangerous when/if a failure occurs.

In addition, I would also suggest employing a toggle switch with which you can shut the driving lights off manually when you desire.

With this set up, you are protecting the OEM lighting circuits and maintaining complete control over the additional lighting circuit.

***

exactly -- this is the thought.. I plan to use a pre-fabbed wiring harness from Kuryakyn or PIAA.  What connector do I need to attach to the accessory outlet?

It is a bullet connector.

[Ricky-D]

Actually I think there are two wires together in that cover, one being a switched positive and the other a dedicated ground.

***

[dubsider]

Actually I think there are two wires together in that cover, one being a switched positive and the other a dedicated ground.

***

I did find two wires 1) solid green and, 2) a slightly lighter green with a red strip.
is the green with red strip the positive?

Rattlebars diagram shows the light green/red as the accessory >> I assume it is positive (please confirm).
_and_ it shows 5 amps.. is that enough for PIAA 1100Xs ?

[Farther]

5 amps is probably the accessory wire and is enough to power a relay.  But then I screw up every wiring job I attempt.

[Ricky-D]

I can't say positively but it is easy enough to check with a volt/ohm meter.

You should use that to power a relay, as you agreed, was the best way to do such an install.

1. Using a relay, use the acc. wire to trigger the relay.  Thus, lights go out when key turned off.

***

[tank_post142]

all you want to do is use this to engage the relay. you need to pull 20-30 amps off the battery (10Ga wire) through the relay, through a switch and up to the spotlights. this way you will not have power to the spots when the bike is off.