Replacement Headlight Wiring - Harley Forum

mlschiller · #1 01-18-2009, 07:34 PM

I have a 2007 CVO DYNA SE. I have changed the headlight to a Eurocomponents Cyclops headlight. It has two 12V55W bulbs. One plugs into the yellow wire for low bean and the other to the white wire for high beam. I don't like how it appears that half the headlight is lit so I am wanting to connect both bulbs to the low bean wire.

Does anyone know if this would be a problem for my electrical? Can I run both bulbs off the one wire? I can't see there to be an issues but am not sure.

frisco-rigid · #2 01-18-2009, 08:44 PM

Hey Mls

If both bulbs are 55w then I suppose your High-Beam setting is actually when Both bulbs light up together,, yes..???? I would think so cuz if both are 55w then low-beam is the same as high-beam.. In that case why don't you just run High-Beam exclusively, it'll be the same as if you wired em together..

The extra draw of Both 55w bulbs (at all times) is not much to be concerned about.. A wee bit more heat in the can though..
The draw of one 55w bulb is 4.58 amps,, two 55w bulbs are 9.16 amps..
You should have that to spare on your system..

mlschiller · #3 01-18-2009, 11:49 PM

Thats what I would have thought but it's the reflector inside that changes the beam direction. There is only one bulb on at a time. Never both together. I called Eurocomponents to confirm this as well. So the "ET" type head looks funny with just one bulb lit. That's why I wanted to join the wires together and have them both light up. I tried it and it works great but was afraid not knowing the power draw and if it was safe.

So .... You think it should be safe as far as the electrical of the bike then?

frisco-rigid · #4 01-19-2009, 02:12 AM

Hey Mls

I'm guessing you have a 38 amp system so as far as amperage draw I would think that you have enough..
9.16 amps is almost 1/4 of the total amps in that case and it's good to Not use up more than about 3/4 of the total amperage..
That's just an old standard rule of thumb..

If you happen to know the watts of all the other lights, radio, air conditioner, spa, etc,,, then just add it all up and divide by 12 (12 volt) that'll give you total amps..

Now,, as far as the wiring, hmmm..
You see, if only one bulb at a time is designed to be lit with that unit then the wires with that unit may only be heavy enough for one bulb at a time..

Here's what I would do---fire up then turn on the one light and either idle or ride a wee bit.. Then check the wires that are specific to that unit for warmth..
They will prob be cool to the touch except for some motor warmth..
Then hook up the TWO lights and ride again.. By knowing what the wires felt like in OEM condition you can compare what the wires feel like after tying them both together.. Any extra warmth and I'd abandon this project..

I'd bet a dime to a doughnut you'll be ok, but you gotta be the final word on that..

Let me know how it works..
Have a ball

mlschiller · #5 01-19-2009, 11:51 AM

OK, I have a bit of homework to do and some experimenting. I would rather take the time as you suggest to be comfortable with the change.

Thank you for all the advice and I will post back my results. Probably not for a week or so. And for the record .... I am in Calgary, AB. ..... too much snow to ride but the weather is nice enough to work on the bike and wash it on the driveway. :-)

Cheers

mlschiller · #6 01-19-2009, 12:06 PM

Here is the specifications I found which don't mean alot to me?

Battery : 12V, 19-amp/hour
Charging : 3=Phase. 40-amp System
Headlamp : 2 - 55W (my new light configuration)
Tail/Stop : 8W/28W (5W/21W)
Turn Signals : 28W (21W)

Then of course all my gauge lamps and security system which they don't rate? Other than that ... nothing else.

mlschiller · #7 01-20-2009, 01:15 AM

OK, here is the scoop. Eurocomponents said that many individuals have lit up both 55W bulbs in the cyclops headlight. It is a glass lens with cast metal housing. heat is not an issue.

I also read that you can replace stock harely bulbs with H4 100/130W. Therefore, How can I be sure my existing wiring on the 2007 CVO Dyna is safe with lighting both 55W bulbs on the existing wire. I ran it for a while and don't feel any apparant heat from the exisitng wiring?

How can I be sure? I hear "fire waiting to happen" .. others say no problem? Can anyone out there answer this question for me with assurance?

Cheers,

Ray Heflin · #8 02-12-2009, 02:35 PM

Are you just bridging the yellow wire across to the white wire at the headlight
so both burn on the high or low setting?
Or are you disconnecting the low beam wire and extending the white wire to both bulbs?
Either way, check for heat issues in the wiring harness going to your High/Low selector switch on your bars. Better safe than sorry.
I agree with Frisco-Rigid the draw on your charging system should not be an issue.

mlschiller · #9 02-19-2009, 11:36 PM

I am in fact using the low beam wire and attaching both bulbs to it. The highbeam wire I just terminated the end and left it inside the headlight. So when I hit the high beam it shuts off the light. I thought being the high/low wires were switched that might not be a good thing?

It's winter hear so I have only run it for about 15min. at a time and there does not appear to be any apparent heat on the wires coming out of the headlight nor into the frame. BUT, all my wires are then inside the bars. Do you think I am OK? I just like to be certain. I was thinking of getting the dealership to check but afraid they will not be to helpful as that really stray's from a "Harley" configuration.

Slipstrm · #10 02-20-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlschiller

I am in fact using the low beam wire and attaching both bulbs to it. The highbeam wire I just terminated the end and left it inside the headlight. So when I hit the high beam it shuts off the light. I thought being the high/low wires were switched that might not be a good thing?.

How do you like the light so far?
I just got the same light and originally wired it as you did on my 07 FXD.
Tonight I'm going to split the wiring back to original and add a Diode between the two wires (Hi and Lo)(Anode tied to the High wire and Cathode tied to the Low) this should allow both bulbs to run on Hi beam switch setting and the single low beam only the on low switch setting.