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View Full Version : DIY headlight wiring loom?



Coyote
19th December 2008, 09:56
Long story short, I want to make my own headlight wiring loom.

I want a switch to turn the lights on and off, and a switch to go between high and low beams. I just want it off the battery and bypassing the rest of the bike's wiring loom. Doesn't have to have the key on, just want to make it simple so the bike passes it's warrant.

Is this possible for an electronics noob? Am I going to have to mount everything off the regulator or would a fuse in between the bulbs and battery suffice?

Got a few supplies (wire, switches, crimping tools, etc.) but will go to Dick Smiths this afternoon. Ideally get a shopping list off here before I do.

imdying
19th December 2008, 11:08
Doesn't get any simpler than that made. Have a look at any wiring diagram for a bike, should be pretty obvious what goes where :) (ignore all the crap not related to the lights, don't let the extra crap put you off :))

imdying
19th December 2008, 11:16
This might help.

Personally, I'd find a point on the fuse box on the bike that turns on and off with the key, and use that instead of the fuse and on off switch... that way you can never leave it on by mistake :)

The fuse to use is:
Wattage of bulbs / 10 (to allow for voltage drop when the starter is thumbed with the lights on), so 2 x 55W bulbs is (110 / 10) or 11A... you can't get 11A, so get a 15A instead. In theory a 10A one would work fine too.

Coyote
19th December 2008, 14:33
I gave it a shot. Failed miserably.

Seemed simple enough, but everything I made fell apart. Didn't have the right tools, didn't have the right gear. Bah.

Might give it another shot later. Until then I'm waiting for my prozac to kick in before I kick the bike over.

AllanB
19th December 2008, 15:26
I fitted a toggle switch to the positive feed for the headlight of a Kawa I had years ago. Just a simple Dick Smith switch rated to take the power, soldered inline with the factory wire. I mounted this under the tank. Flick on or off as required. All it is doing when off is cutting the power feed to the headlight when off.