GolfVenture Posted January 3, 2011 #1 Posted January 3, 2011 Has anyone put their lights on a switch so one can start the engine without the lights. Then once the engine is running, one can manually put the lights on. In this way one saves battery power in the event one needs to hit the starter more often than normal to get the engine running?
friesman Posted January 3, 2011 #2 Posted January 3, 2011 My 85 turns the lights off when I start it, I thought all the G1 bikes did. I dont know about the g2's tho Brian
Zane Posted January 3, 2011 #3 Posted January 3, 2011 You can get the same effect by switching your kill switch to the off position, pressing the start button and then switching the kill switch to the on position. The lights do not come on until you release the starter switch when the bike starts. I think friesman is also correct!
Brake Pad Posted January 3, 2011 #4 Posted January 3, 2011 Has anyone put their lights on a switch so one can start the engine without the lights. Then once the engine is running, one can manually put the lights on. In this way one saves battery power in the event one needs to hit the starter more often than normal to get the engine running? Buy the Roadstar lamps, they come with a cut off switch. some people run a toggle under the handle bar on the left, near the a/c outlet
GolfVenture Posted January 3, 2011 Author #5 Posted January 3, 2011 I didn't know that the bikes were designed to cut the lights when the starter button were pushed. Glad I asked the question. Learned something today. Thank You all.
awsmsrv Posted January 3, 2011 #6 Posted January 3, 2011 I believe he was talking about the headlight, not the passing lamps. I've put my passing lamps on a separate switch for that very reason, however. I didn't know that the bikes were designed to cut the lights when the starter button were pushed. Glad I asked the question. Learned something today. Thank You all. My thinking, as well. Learned something new. Love it here.
BOO Posted January 4, 2011 #7 Posted January 4, 2011 I would not use a separate switch to turn the lights off before starting the engine. To much of a chance to forget to turn the headlights on when riding during the day. It is a ticket to ride without headlight--don't ask me how I know-- It was several years ago when I was riding an old HD and we started those with no lights then turned the switch ahead another click so the lights would come on. Would forget every once in a while and a cop caught me with the lights off. As far as the on/off switch is concerned, I think it is a good idea to have in case you loose your charging system. If you turn off the headlight and tail lights you might just make it home on the battery.... Just can't do it at night time.... Just my opinion though, BOO
RedRider Posted January 4, 2011 #8 Posted January 4, 2011 I will be adding a switch to the head light circuit once my HID ballast comes back from Canadian Customizers. The starting circuit causes the voltage to drop below what is required to keep the HIDs lit and they sometimes don't go back on. They don't like being turned off and then quickly back on. I got an illuminated light switch. Not sure where I will be putting it yet, though. Will post with pics when complete. RR
skydoc_17 Posted January 4, 2011 #9 Posted January 4, 2011 (edited) ALL First Gens. cut the head light out when you push the start button. I wanted to address the statement made by BOO, and perhaps other members will find it useful as well. If you find that you have a charging system failure, (low/no stator output) and you are trying to "limp" home or to a shop for repairs on just the battery, Pull the headlight fuse from the fuse box, slip it in your pocket or another safe place, then once the stator issue has been addressed, just return the fuse to the fuse box and you will have lights again. Because of the "headlight off when starting" feature, and the ability to remove the headlight fuse in the case of the stator malfunctioning, I for one, don't believe that there is any need to put the lighting on a separate switch. To me, riding is supposed to be "fun", and remembering to turn on a bunch of stuff sorta' takes all the fun out of riding my bike. Not to mention, my CRS (Can't Remember $hite) seems to be rearing it's ugly head the older I get. Yamaha incorporates an excellent lighting canceling feature during start up, I let the bike do it's job, and worry more about where I am going to ride that day. In the case of the HID Lighting, I understand the need for the seperate switch. Just my thoughts, I apologize if I strayed to far off topic, Earl Edited January 4, 2011 by skydoc_17 Crayon Broke!
Flyinfool Posted January 4, 2011 #10 Posted January 4, 2011 I made up a Headlight control based off of the side stand switch. It is a very simple circuit with 3 relays. Yes I have a HID and do not like the wear and tear of it firing up as soon as I turn the key and then going off and back on for the start. When I start the bike with the side stand down the headlight will remain off till I raise the side stand. Once the side stand is raised the headlight will come on and stay on whether the stand is up or down till I turn off the key. It is fairly automatic to be able to work with my CRS. This also works great for when I am working on the bike and do not have a need for the headlight draining the battery while I putz with whatever I am putzing with.
BOO Posted January 4, 2011 #11 Posted January 4, 2011 I made up a Headlight control based off of the side stand switch. It is a very simple circuit with 3 relays. Yes I have a HID and do not like the wear and tear of it firing up as soon as I turn the key and then going off and back on for the start. When I start the bike with the side stand down the headlight will remain off till I raise the side stand. Once the side stand is raised the headlight will come on and stay on whether the stand is up or down till I turn off the key. It is fairly automatic to be able to work with my CRS. This also works great for when I am working on the bike and do not have a need for the headlight draining the battery while I putz with whatever I am putzing with. Dang Jeff U sur R a mart dude. Great Idea... BOO
Guest Posted January 4, 2011 #12 Posted January 4, 2011 I will be adding a switch to the head light circuit once my HID ballast comes back from Canadian Customizers. The starting circuit causes the voltage to drop below what is required to keep the HIDs lit and they sometimes don't go back on. They don't like being turned off and then quickly back on. I got an illuminated light switch. Not sure where I will be putting it yet, though. Will post with pics when complete. RR Red, I have been in communications with CCC about the same issue. I had the bike hooked up to a tender but havent ridden it for a month. I started it last week while the temps were in the 20's here and the light went out. Tried it several times with mixed results. CCC said it might be a bad ballast. He wanted me to take a video of what it did and send it to him for warranty purposes. Went out to the bike and since the temps are back in the 60's the light has been working fine. He too thought it was a drop in voltage. I mentioned that I would like to get this ballast replaced while its still under warranty but so far no response to that one. From what he said these ballasts have a life span of 2000 hours. Just what is he doing with your ballast?? Im also thinking of hooking up a seperate switch so ill be looking at your progress.
GolfVenture Posted January 4, 2011 Author #13 Posted January 4, 2011 I made up a Headlight control based off of the side stand switch. It is a very simple circuit with 3 relays. Yes I have a HID and do not like the wear and tear of it firing up as soon as I turn the key and then going off and back on for the start. When I start the bike with the side stand down the headlight will remain off till I raise the side stand. Once the side stand is raised the headlight will come on and stay on whether the stand is up or down till I turn off the key. It is fairly automatic to be able to work with my CRS. This also works great for when I am working on the bike and do not have a need for the headlight draining the battery while I putz with whatever I am putzing with. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you provide a schematic of this procedure.
BuddyRich Posted January 4, 2011 #14 Posted January 4, 2011 I put mine on a switch. I was having a problem with my HID not remaining lit after starting so I just turn it on after the bike is running now. Works good.
SMSgt Posted January 4, 2011 #15 Posted January 4, 2011 I'm with Golf&Venture. Sounds like a cool mod, now that my mods are complete. Is there anyway to get a tech article on this? hint, hint, Flyinfool
Guest Posted January 4, 2011 #16 Posted January 4, 2011 I put mine on a switch. I was having a problem with my HID not remaining lit after starting so I just turn it on after the bike is running now. Works good. Where did you wire it into? I have a lead running from the fairing to the battery for power. Should I use this lead and did you ground your switch?
Digger Posted January 5, 2011 #17 Posted January 5, 2011 You can use one of the delay relays, here is a link for a company that makes ones for autos and MCs:http://www.wolstentech.com/products/timedelayrelay/timedelayrelay.php Here is a link to one of the Suzuki Intruder do it yourself pages with pics: http://www.moccsplace.com/images/hswitch/hswitch.htm
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