Driving Lights

enroute7 · 10-10-2009, 10:29 AM

My Buddy just bought a 02 Nomad with 2,500 miles on it. Sweet...
Wanted driving lights so bought the 4.5 inch cobras.

Question is:
Is there any wire or starter switch load problems with a direct connect to the headlight yellow blue wire??
Or do we need to install a relay?
Thanks.

strobe · 10-10-2009, 11:01 AM

Without a relay it pushes the headlight circuit to almost maximum. You can run it that way, but typically it will start blowing fuses at some point. For the lights you are better off to go with the relay right away and save yourselves headaches later.

caddman11 · 10-10-2009, 11:42 AM

+1 on the relay

caper · 10-10-2009, 11:47 AM

I agree with the Relay. I did it that way to split the load and to have 2 circuits should you lose one you still have lights?

cactusjack · 10-10-2009, 01:18 PM

A relay is the only right way to do it.

enroute7 · 10-10-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caper

I agree with the Relay. I did it that way to split the load and to have 2 circuits should you lose one you still have lights?

Did you use the Blue and yellow wire in your hook up?

macmac · 10-10-2009, 07:40 PM

There is a way to run it with no relay, and that is wired straight to the battery with a inline fuse rated at 15 amps, and a switch somewhere.

I do this with one set of lamps, and run a relay on the other.

However both are switched and can be run anytime, any time at all.

Do not wire as you stated! Of those that did , some fried the ignition switch and others fried the fuse box.

enroute7 · 10-10-2009, 09:06 PM

Would it be ok then to have the blue and yellow wire into the (86)
circuit with out toasting anything?

strobe · 10-10-2009, 09:08 PM

Post 86 just activates the relay, adds a very negligible load to the circuit that is the way to go.

cactusjack · 10-10-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enroute7

Would it be ok then to have the blue and yellow wire into the (86)
circuit with out toasting anything?

Where are you getting the blue/yellow wire? I can't find it in the wiring diagram in the service manual. Ah, I just noticed you are talking about a 2002. My manual is for a 2007.

macmac · 10-11-2009, 09:16 AM

Yes with the relay wired that way it will be fine.. I am not sure what the wire is either as I have a 06 1600 too. What ever you use as a trigger with that relay wired that way wil work.

I prefer to be able to run my lamps with no key and no engine, for when ever I want. Usually after engine shut down to get my stuff off the bike and hook into a charger.

Sometimes set up a tent after sleeping hours began in a car camp ground when traveling.

enroute7 · 10-11-2009, 05:02 PM

The Blue and Yellow wire (head light bucket) in the 02 has juice to the headlight after the motor starts running.

And hey what about that?? This is the first Bike / Car or anything that the
head light doesn't turn on till the engine is running even though all other lights a come on with the key!

Wonder what the thinking is there?
I have a Honda VTX 1800 http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/album.php?albumid=923
and when you hit the starter switch the headlight cancels out and resumes after the engine starts to save on the battery.
I am guessing that this is Kawasaki's way of saving on the battery as well.

barrynfla · 10-11-2009, 07:17 PM

FYI, per the service manual for the '05 and up, the blue wire with the yellow tracer is the main source of power for the headlight, both high and low beams. I have the '05 manual and it's on page 16-18.
It's the same on the 900. Seems to be standard on Vulcans.

enroute7 · 10-13-2009, 10:54 AM

Will be installing a relay soon.
Hoping to find a suitable on off switch as well.

Thanks for all the good input!
This is a great Board.

mercianbike · 10-13-2009, 07:46 PM

It looks like you may have already found Gadget's discussion on wiring driving lights. But if you didn't, check out:

http://www.gadgetjq.com/wiredrivinglights.htm

10-10-2009, 10:29 AM	#1
enroute7 Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 7	Driving Lights My Buddy just bought a 02 Nomad with 2,500 miles on it. Sweet... Wanted driving lights so bought the 4.5 inch cobras. Question is: Is there any wire or starter switch load problems with a direct connect to the headlight yellow blue wire?? Or do we need to install a relay? Thanks. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-10-2009, 11:01 AM	#2
strobe Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,200	Driving Lights Without a relay it pushes the headlight circuit to almost maximum. You can run it that way, but typically it will start blowing fuses at some point. For the lights you are better off to go with the relay right away and save yourselves headaches later. __________________ Cory 2013 Honda GL1800 Goldwing 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 (for sale) 2007 Honda ST1300 (sold) 2005 Kawasaki Nomad (sold) 2004 Suzuki Hayabusa (sold) http://www.strobel.ws VBA #01021 VROC #29389
	0

10-10-2009, 11:42 AM	#3
caddman11 Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 890	Driving Lights +1 on the relay
	0

10-10-2009, 11:47 AM	#4
caper Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 1,137	Driving Lights I agree with the Relay. I did it that way to split the load and to have 2 circuits should you lose one you still have lights? __________________ Live in the NOW !
	0

10-10-2009, 01:18 PM	#5
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Driving Lights A relay is the only right way to do it. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-10-2009, 07:40 PM	#7
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Driving Lights There is a way to run it with no relay, and that is wired straight to the battery with a inline fuse rated at 15 amps, and a switch somewhere. I do this with one set of lamps, and run a relay on the other. However both are switched and can be run anytime, any time at all. Do not wire as you stated! Of those that did , some fried the ignition switch and others fried the fuse box. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

10-10-2009, 09:06 PM	#8
enroute7 Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 7	Driving Lights Would it be ok then to have the blue and yellow wire into the (86) circuit with out toasting anything?
	0

10-10-2009, 09:08 PM	#9
strobe Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,200	Driving Lights Post 86 just activates the relay, adds a very negligible load to the circuit that is the way to go. __________________ Cory 2013 Honda GL1800 Goldwing 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 (for sale) 2007 Honda ST1300 (sold) 2005 Kawasaki Nomad (sold) 2004 Suzuki Hayabusa (sold) http://www.strobel.ws VBA #01021 VROC #29389
	0

10-11-2009, 09:16 AM	#11
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Driving Lights Yes with the relay wired that way it will be fine.. I am not sure what the wire is either as I have a 06 1600 too. What ever you use as a trigger with that relay wired that way wil work. I prefer to be able to run my lamps with no key and no engine, for when ever I want. Usually after engine shut down to get my stuff off the bike and hook into a charger. Sometimes set up a tent after sleeping hours began in a car camp ground when traveling. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

10-11-2009, 05:02 PM	#12
enroute7 Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 7	Driving Lights The Blue and Yellow wire (head light bucket) in the 02 has juice to the headlight after the motor starts running. And hey what about that?? This is the first Bike / Car or anything that the head light doesn't turn on till the engine is running even though all other lights a come on with the key! Wonder what the thinking is there? I have a Honda VTX 1800 http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/album.php?albumid=923 and when you hit the starter switch the headlight cancels out and resumes after the engine starts to save on the battery. I am guessing that this is Kawasaki's way of saving on the battery as well.
	0

10-11-2009, 07:17 PM	#13
barrynfla Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 179	Driving Lights FYI, per the service manual for the '05 and up, the blue wire with the yellow tracer is the main source of power for the headlight, both high and low beams. I have the '05 manual and it's on page 16-18. It's the same on the 900. Seems to be standard on Vulcans.
	0

10-13-2009, 10:54 AM	#14
enroute7 Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 7	Driving Lights Will be installing a relay soon. Hoping to find a suitable on off switch as well. Thanks for all the good input! This is a great Board.
	0

10-13-2009, 07:46 PM	#15
mercianbike Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Front Royal, VA Posts: 1	Driving Lights It looks like you may have already found Gadget's discussion on wiring driving lights. But if you didn't, check out: http://www.gadgetjq.com/wiredrivinglights.htm __________________ Jim Lindquist Retired Air Force Vietnam Veteran Patriot Guard Kawanow #263 (November 2007) 262 Prior Posts
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