Replacement Headlight Wiring

[mlschiller]

I love the look, quality and mount. I just didn't like the way it looked with only half the light (or one eye lit). I've aimed the light downward to compensate and so far no ugly, mad drivers giving me the finger :-) So why are you tying the both to high? I like the idea though. I hadn't thought of that. Let me know how that works for you.

[Slipstrm]

I dont like the way it looks with only one lit either, most of my riding is with the high beam blazing, hoping to be seen a little better.
I chose the high beam wire cause they'd both be on, low would be off.
If my diode works as planned, I'll have both on high and the single one for low.I let you know how it turns out.

[mlschiller]

Please do let me know .. I would really appreciate some details on what to use if you feel so inclined? It sounds like a great concept. The day I'm not to concerned about it's the night riding. :-)

[Catmechanic]

I know I'm jumping in a bit late here, but one thing to check into is what your hi/lo switch is rated to handle for amps. If needed you could wire in a relay to handle the second bulb to cut the load on the switch. The relay could also be wired in place of the diode that Slipstrm suggests. I like Slipstrm's idea, that way you have the option of using lowbeam if needed.

Jim S

[Slipstrm]

My diode works great it just heats up more than I like, I'm looking at different options now.
Heavier Diode I spose.

[mlschiller]

So this is where I fall down and why I am posting here :-) I don't have a solid understanding of "electrical". I am hearing that maybe my switch can not handle both bulbs? If I want both bulbs lit on just one wire .... what do you (or anyone) suggest I do? I just want to be safe rather than sorry later.

[mlschiller]

So if I use a Diode ... bare with me ... I have two wires coming into the headlight housing. One is the low beam wire and one is the highbeam wire. Then, the cyclops has one wire for each bulb. So how would I wire this so that both are on from the high beam and one for the low beam .. or viseversa? And.... what size Diode would I buy? Just from a typical automotive store I assume?

[Slipstrm]

I got the biggest diode Radio shack had in stock, dont know the part # at the moment.
The diode just goes between the two wires (Hi and Lo)(Anode tied to the High wire and Cathode tied to the Low)
I am attaching a drawing, we'll see how that goes.
The pic depicts the switch (upper right) in the Hi beam setting and both lights illuminated.
The point of the diode symbol is the Cathode.
The resistors are the headlights themselves.
It works great, but the diode heats up pretty hot, I tried putting several in parallel with each other, was not much cooler.
I'm going to try with a relay next.

[mlschiller]

Ok, even I can understand that. Thank you for explaining that to me. Keep me posted with the relay. I am away for a few day's but will check back when I return. I pulled the headlight last night but have not re-wired anything yet.

Cheers,

[rjrivero]

I wired dual lights on my V-Rod. I have one that is a driving light, and the other is high/low.

I would reccommend using a relay to power on the low beam directly off the ignition switch. Then the high beam would be powered with the hi/low switch. You won't be adding load to the switch, and you'll have a dedicated circuit for the headlight.

Just a thought. If you would like a wiring diagram for this, let me know and I could whip one up for you.