- Joined
- Oct 6, 2011
- Messages
- 5,622
- Reaction score
- 173
- Location
- North Yorkshire
- Bike
- KTM 990 Adventure
This has been such an epic mission that I figured it deserved it's own thread ;D
Original "build-up" thread here.
Hardware list:
Spots
Switch
5 pin relay
Relay Socket
Just over a year ago I spent a little over R2000 at Schlowy for HID high and low beams, as well as a pair of LED spotlights mounted on the crash bars. The HIDs drew 35W each (compared to the 55W standard globes), and the spots were 9W each, so I was drawing less power (88W max), just with a lot more light. :thumleft:
Then, about a month ago, one of the spotlights just went dead. I thought it was a faulty wire, but it turned out to be the regulating circuit in the spotlight. I thought nothing of it and rode around with one spotlight while I waited for my new ones ordered from 4x4Direct.
Last weekend I opened everything up to install the new spots and found this:
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/001.jpg"/>
Clearly something had gone drastically wrong with that spotlight. I had popped the original headlight fuse ages ago when I fell over in water, submerging the left handlebar for a good 15 minutes. I guess the cheapie replacement fuse wanted to burn out, but didn't :-\
Anyway, pulled the remains of the fuse out, cleaned up the socket as best I could, and fitted a new 20A fuse. With the old spotlights removed, I started her up, and exactly the same thing happened again.
I then replaced it with a 30A fuse, and it worked fine. It's more than a little concerning though. I need a new multimeter so I can measure just how much those HIDs are actually drawing... :deal:
Anyway, I moved on to fitting the spots. I wanted to be able to switch the spots on while the bike was off, but also have them come on automatically with the high beam. Here's the circuit diagram (Thanks again to Bundu for the input on this):
<img src="https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=104566.0;attach=222343;image"/>
It was pointed out that, because the spots can be switched on with the bike off, I'm running the risk of a dead battery one day. This is true, but I really like the idea of have a switchable light source for camping etc. A battery monitor will be my next purchase.
I decided I didn't like the spots on the crash bars. They're a bit vulnerable and the light spread was always bad due to how low down they were. I bit the bullet and drilled holes in my faring in order to mount them higher up; just under the indicators.
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/004.jpg"/>
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/003.jpg"/>
I put a huge washer on the inside on the fairing to help spread the load across the plastic. That, pus the fact that the plastic at that point is pretty strong to begin with, means that the spots are rock solid. :thumleft:
I've been struggling to find an orange cove for my headlight, so I grabbed the one working Schlowy spotlight, unscrewed the front to release the glass lens, and coated the lens with some glass stain. R40 from the local art shop.
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/002.jpg"/>
I then mounted the spot under my headlight, again with a huge washer on the inside.
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/005.jpg"/>
I just wired this spot in parallel with the low beam so it's on all the time.
The overall result isn't too bad :biggrin:
The relay and associated wiring is all housed in a convenient space behind the dials, pretty much directly under the Givi logo on my screen.
The orange light is a lot more orange than it appears in these pics. My camera's white balance was thrown off by the blue-white headlight.
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/P9110010.jpg"/>
Everything off
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/P9110030.jpg"/>
"Camping mode"
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/P9110019.jpg"/>
Low beam
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/P9110021.jpg"/>
Low beam with spots
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/9110027.jpg"/>
Full monty
I haven't had a chance to take night time photos yet, but believe me when I say I can certainly see a heck of a lot better than ever before! :ricky:
Next step is to get orange lens covers for the new spots as my single spot is not fantastic, though better than nothing.
Cheers for now.
Original "build-up" thread here.
Hardware list:
Spots
Switch
5 pin relay
Relay Socket
Just over a year ago I spent a little over R2000 at Schlowy for HID high and low beams, as well as a pair of LED spotlights mounted on the crash bars. The HIDs drew 35W each (compared to the 55W standard globes), and the spots were 9W each, so I was drawing less power (88W max), just with a lot more light. :thumleft:
Then, about a month ago, one of the spotlights just went dead. I thought it was a faulty wire, but it turned out to be the regulating circuit in the spotlight. I thought nothing of it and rode around with one spotlight while I waited for my new ones ordered from 4x4Direct.
Last weekend I opened everything up to install the new spots and found this:
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/001.jpg"/>
Clearly something had gone drastically wrong with that spotlight. I had popped the original headlight fuse ages ago when I fell over in water, submerging the left handlebar for a good 15 minutes. I guess the cheapie replacement fuse wanted to burn out, but didn't :-\
Anyway, pulled the remains of the fuse out, cleaned up the socket as best I could, and fitted a new 20A fuse. With the old spotlights removed, I started her up, and exactly the same thing happened again.
I then replaced it with a 30A fuse, and it worked fine. It's more than a little concerning though. I need a new multimeter so I can measure just how much those HIDs are actually drawing... :deal:
Anyway, I moved on to fitting the spots. I wanted to be able to switch the spots on while the bike was off, but also have them come on automatically with the high beam. Here's the circuit diagram (Thanks again to Bundu for the input on this):
<img src="https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=104566.0;attach=222343;image"/>
It was pointed out that, because the spots can be switched on with the bike off, I'm running the risk of a dead battery one day. This is true, but I really like the idea of have a switchable light source for camping etc. A battery monitor will be my next purchase.
I decided I didn't like the spots on the crash bars. They're a bit vulnerable and the light spread was always bad due to how low down they were. I bit the bullet and drilled holes in my faring in order to mount them higher up; just under the indicators.
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/004.jpg"/>
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/003.jpg"/>
I put a huge washer on the inside on the fairing to help spread the load across the plastic. That, pus the fact that the plastic at that point is pretty strong to begin with, means that the spots are rock solid. :thumleft:
I've been struggling to find an orange cove for my headlight, so I grabbed the one working Schlowy spotlight, unscrewed the front to release the glass lens, and coated the lens with some glass stain. R40 from the local art shop.
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/002.jpg"/>
I then mounted the spot under my headlight, again with a huge washer on the inside.
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/005.jpg"/>
I just wired this spot in parallel with the low beam so it's on all the time.
The overall result isn't too bad :biggrin:
The relay and associated wiring is all housed in a convenient space behind the dials, pretty much directly under the Givi logo on my screen.
The orange light is a lot more orange than it appears in these pics. My camera's white balance was thrown off by the blue-white headlight.
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/P9110010.jpg"/>
Everything off
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/P9110030.jpg"/>
"Camping mode"
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/P9110019.jpg"/>
Low beam
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/P9110021.jpg"/>
Low beam with spots
<img src="https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/iamgigglz/9110027.jpg"/>
Full monty
I haven't had a chance to take night time photos yet, but believe me when I say I can certainly see a heck of a lot better than ever before! :ricky:
Next step is to get orange lens covers for the new spots as my single spot is not fantastic, though better than nothing.
Cheers for now.
