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Relay to create running lights

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
A

Anonymous

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Hi all,
has anybody here tried using a relay to give their bike running lights? This would be the cheapest way to do it but I'm concerned about the blinking pattern that would result.

Steve
 
My 1150 came with running lights on the front and not on the back. I bought an other set of front blinkers and mounted them on the back then tied into the tail light.

This improved the looks big time because the original rear blinkers were way too wide and would flop around when ridding (so my friends say :D )


Gerry
 
Do you want the front directional to be running lights? Or do you want to add additional headlamp type lights? I modified my 83 GS750E front directional to dual filament running/directional, tied into a spare 12 volt source behind the headlight (Brown wire). This is the easiest way to do this.
If you want to add headlamp type running, the relay is the best approach. Same principle as the automotive horn relay, the relay acts as a switch to control the high current load, small gauge wiring is used to control the relay.
I'm not sure what you mean about the blinking pattern you mentioned.
 
Here's a better explanation. Without adding any more bulbs (I have single filament flashers all around) I would like to have a relay that is normally on. When I use the blinker switch I want the blinkers I've chosen to go off-on-off-on instead of on-off-on-off. I saw a homemade setup done for a Camaro but it had atleast 4 relays. I figure there's a way to do it with one relay and no modification of the lights.

Steve
 
you want a running light intergrator, it is a small box that mounts inside the headlight bucket and lights up the front turn signals at a lower level for running lights but alows the turnsignals to operate properly just using the single filament bulb.

I have separate front marker lights on mine connected to the auxilery (brown) wire, I also have a tail light integrator it combines, turn signal, running, and brake lights into the same light.
 
The integrator is probably the best for your application, the relay approach seems too complicated. I would be careful about amber running lights on the rear of the bike, I think DOT standards require them to be red. There is a product that will do it all; amber turn, red running and red stop, all with one LED type lamp, but it is not exactly inexpensive. I've looked for dual LED (amber/red) lamps so that I could try a do it myself mod, haven't been able to locate them, and I would need clear lenses.

Good luck
 
You need a SPDT relay. Radioshack has a 10amp rated one (should be plenty for the front and back if desired, you'll need one for each side) here. I'd do the fronts only, unless you can find red lenses for the back.
Basically, if you can find a relay that has a terminal '87a' on it, that's the normally closed terminal, that you'd use to create the pattern you want. Speed might be affected, as the load is now less, since the turn signal flasher is flashing the relay, and not the lights themselves. An electronic flasher will take care of that problem.
 
Oh yea, if you do the fronts only, they'll flash opposite of the backs. In other words, when the fronts go off, the backs come on, and vice versa.
 
Jeckler: Now that I know the reverse relays are readily available it will be a snap to design.

Thanks, Steve
 
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