Installing/wiring your driving lights

11627 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by backjudge1300, Jan 21, 2009

infamous_6969

Discussion Starter · Jan 16, 2009

I have read a lot of threads and have seen multiple different ways that people have wired driving lights onto the "x"... There is one way that I have not yet seen people do. These does seem as though it will be the EASIEST!!

On my 05 1300R inside of the headlight assembly there is a spare plug. It is white in color and has 3 wires going into it. There is a BLUE, BLACK, GREEN. The green is the ground. The blue is the highbeam power (coming straight from the switch), The black is running from your right side blinker (dont worry about this)... THIS PLUG IS LABELED AS THE FOG LIGHT ADAPTER (on the wiring diagram)

You can either try to find the honda plug that will fit the other side or you can simply plug your wires directly into the individual plugs associated with the GREEN (ground) BLUE (power) wires. This will enable your driving lights to turn on when you trigger your highbeams. This is the way that honda has allowed for the AUX lightbar to be plugged in and eliminates the need to add any additional switches, relays or fuses/circuit breakers.

I am in the process of doing mine and was reviewing the wiring diagram earlier. Thought I would pass this on.

If anybody has used this method please chime in!

atriot:

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Matejj

· #2 · Jan 16, 2009

The Aux light connecter in the headlight bucket is only good for two 25watt lights (50 watts total), but I've heard that you could streatch the limit and put 35Watt bulbs in there...but I wouldn't try it...

It also follows a set of protocols that I don't care for...It turns the driving lights off when you switch to Hi-Beam....I run with my high beam on during the day and I also run with my driving lights on during the day...

If you are going to use it...make sure not to use more than 25 watt bulbs in whatever lights you are going to connect....

The Wal-Mart lights, for example are an extremely bright 55 watts each (110 watts Total)

Joe

backjudge1300

· #3 · Jan 16, 2009

+1...you will blow fuses trying to wire into that circuit with 55 watt bulbs.
Better ways to wire up a driving light setup.
See the *wiring the Wal Mart lights * posts.
Use a relay!

LazyDawg

· #4 · Jan 16, 2009

backjudge1300 said:
+1...you will blow fuses trying to wire into that circuit with 55 watt bulbs.
Better ways to wire up a driving light setup.
See the *wiring the Wal Mart lights * posts.
Use a relay!

Listen to what the Judge and Mate are saying. At a minimum you will blow a fuse, then if you get the bright idea to put a bigger fuse in then you seriously risk burning up you wiring. Then the money and time you think you are saving will be insignificant to the $$ and time you will spend rewiring your bike and replacing switches.

Not trying to be harsh, but using that connector is a bad bad mistake and we don't want to see you do harm to your bike. We try to look out for eachother hear. Thats the cool thing about the Cafe.

Good luck.

etsvtx

· #5 · Jan 16, 2009

Hey guys, thanks for the replies because i bought the lights and plan on the mod according to wally world post, but when i was reading this i thought, wow what an easy way to install. Once again thanks, for looking out for us unexperienced!!!

Matejj

· #6 · Jan 16, 2009

etsvtx said:
Hey guys, thanks for the replies because i bought the lights and plan on the mod according to wally world post, but when i was reading this i thought, wow what an easy way to install. Once again thanks, for looking out for us unexperienced!!!

No Problem...we are all here for each other....If you have any problems along the way, let me know.....

Joe

Bono

· #7 · Jan 17, 2009

I would put two 72 watt bulbs, for added light!

Just kidding:cheers:

infamous_6969

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 20, 2009

I am not understanding this...

If this were true about possibly melting or damaging your wires if you jump into using that terminal.. Then why would the Cobra installation manual tell you that for their light bar you are to splice into the black power wire that is located on that plug?

" 14. For VTX1300 & VTX1800 Retro: Find the 3 wire accessory lead with the flat 3 wire connector inside
the headlight housing. Connect the Black power wire from the lightbar switch to the Black w/Brown
tracer wire using the supplied (blue) quick splice connector. "

Now granted I did not use this plug.. I used a relay that is wired off of the blue wire on this plug (which allows my relay to close when the highbeam switch is turned on). But I have not found any reason that would lead to damage of the wires. Honda put that plug there for an optional fog light. I cant find the wattage of the honda or cobra light bar... Are they 25/35 watts?

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SPyKER

· #9 · Jan 20, 2009

infamous_6969 said:
Are they 25/35 watts?

Cobra is a big corporation, and wouldn't risk a lawsuit by exceeding the capabilities of the AUX switch. So yes, they are 25W H-3 bulbs. The CObrausa.com site cofirms it. If you go beyond that, you riswk burning your wiring.

cornerbanger

· #10 · Jan 20, 2009

Hats off to the designer for the Wally World light solution. I have almost finished the install. I am awaiting the handlebar mounted switch to arrive. Everything else is tested, wrapped, tied, and hid away. I mounted the relay on a 10 mm bolt inside of the right side electrical compartment The relay is pointing down at a 45 degree angle to clear the cover mount. Very clean and looks factory. The lights are very bright. I will put some pictures up when the switch is wired up. I also installed a power port (from Wally World) since I had the bike ripped apart. I cant wait to take it out on a dark road to see how bright these lights really are. The lack of light has been one of my chief complaints of the bike. These lights will definitely be a big help on the road to Daytona. Total cost including a new solder gun was about $70.

Any ideas for a good way to aim the lights other than sitting on a dark road and pointing to perfection? :hmm2:

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Bono

· #11 · Jan 21, 2009

I have the honda light bar. Plug and play. I never use the bright lights. With the light bar, lights are bright and better then High beam alone! There is a wire you can snip to keep the light bar on all times, but if it aint broke. Why:cheers:

SPyKER

· #12 · Jan 21, 2009

How much was the Honda Light Bar? I paid $16 for my Wally World lights, plus some time and wiring...I'll have maybe two hours time in and $25 in parts for 55W lights (versus 25W).

What's not broke? ME! I fixed it.

Bono

· #13 · Jan 21, 2009

I think 250 ordered it with the bike and other high priced Honda assocories!

SunDance

· #14 · Jan 21, 2009

I installed the wally lights this weekend, really bright! I didn't install a switch because i couldn't decide where, but thinking i should soon. Those lights get pretty hot, how long do you think they will last?

backjudge1300

· #15 · Jan 21, 2009

Ive been running mine every morning for about 5 months now.
No problems yet.

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