Driving/Fog Light Switch

[randallar]

Just purchased a driving light kit, it came with a relay and all that. My question is: Does any one have a real good place to mount the switch. I would like it on the bars but if someone has a really cool idea for mounting it. Or would it be better to have it come on with the headlight. Thanks

[Tim in NC]

If you use a separate switch, then you can turn them off when you don't need them. But you should wire them thru the ignition system, and not directly to the battery. If "hot wired", and you park in daylight and forget to turn them off, they'll drain your battery.

[starrider]

I used a switched relay to power my driving lights. I purchased a lighted rocker switch frm a marine store (water resistent) and mounted itto the left of the speaker fader. Used that so I can turn the driving lights off if needed.

[SgtSlag]

If you mount them on the crash bars (low and outside), they will form a triangle of lights, similar to a train engine. These will allow onlookers to gauge your approach speed, and, to an extent, your distance. That is why train engines have them. For this to work, you would want them on all the time the engine is running -- no switch.

Make certain you have the amps to run them! The alternator does not produce a lot of extra amps for accessories. LED's can pump out the same Lumens for a fraction of the amps. Check the forum for postings on this topic, as well. Cheers!

[kjsett]

If you mount them on the crash bars (low and outside), they will form a triangle of lights, similar to a train engine. These will allow onlookers to gauge your approach speed, and, to an extent, your distance. That is why train engines have them. For this to work, you would want them on all the time the engine is running -- no switch.

Make certain you have the amps to run them! The alternator does not produce a lot of extra amps for accessories. LED's can pump out the same Lumens for a fraction of the amps. Check the forum for postings on this topic, as well. Cheers!

I powered the relay from the right marker light. It comes on only when the engine is running (stays on though until the key is off). I connected the relay from the battery through a fuse and a lighted switch. My thinking was that if I ever have any problem with headlights flashing at me, there is something I can do (so far, 3 years later, no one has). The switch is attached by Velcro off the left edge of the faux tank where I can reach it if needed. I also have a switch there for the auxiliary line to the trunk and trailer so if not needed I can power it down. Unfortunately last summer I forgot to and left the Dome light (still not LED) in the trailer on and had to get a jump.
I added 20 watts of LED lights as my triangle running lights but have some brighter ones waiting to go on. I plan on eventually switching out all the incandescent marker for LEDs. So far only two have been done, but more as time and money allow (if a bulb burns out, LEDs go in).
I also pull a trailer, but all of it's lights are LEDs. I run a pair of small Wolo Air horns and added them the same way. As soon as possible i am going to put on a power block like others have and clean up the wiring situation some.
Enjoy,
Ken
Update: LED Dome now installed.

[chicagorandy]

For my install of a pair of Cree lights, I drilled a hole next to the CB cover plate for the switch and also mounted a small indicator light below the switch to remind me it's on.

[randallar]

All good tips. I was going to mount the lights under my headlight on a mounting bar. But now I might rethink that. I just didn't think I would like having the lights below on the crash bars. I guess putting a switch where I can reach it and then just leaving them on all the time sounds best. i was worried I would have to switch them off alot, but it sounds like that's not the case.

[usmalenurse]

I mounted mine on the crash bars and then mounted my switch on the right inner cowl panel just about knee level. I went with a switch that is lit when the light is on to remind me to turn it off but even that doesn't work all the time. +1 on connecting it to the ignition so you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn it off. Took a little more effort but it beats having a dead battery.......ask me how I know!!

[randallar]

Ok I got them on. I did not go with mounting them on the crash bars. They just look so much better where I put them. I had my air valve cover fall off so I mounted it and put the switches in there. This is what I got.

[SgtSlag]

I finally got around to replacing my 3W LED's on the crash bars, with a pair of 10W LED's I had purchased off of e-Bay, last Fall? I went with the flood lights (spray light in a very wide arc, not focused forward, at all), so they throw a lot of Lumens out, but in a wide dispersion. I doubt they will throw light very far forward, but they will be seen from a wide angle range to the sides, which is more important for us. We rarely ride after dark, so I figured the spotlights would be too narrowly focused of an arc, to really help with conspicuity 99% of our rides (less than 1% spent riding at night...).

The 10W LED's pump out 800-1,000 Lumens, each. I was concerned they would be too bright for oncoming traffic. I hardwired them into a switched, fused circuit, without a switch -- another reason for the flood's, instead of the spot's. Comparing the 10W LED's to the 3W LED's, there is no comparison for brightness. They are much brighter than the headlight, until you get into the focused arc of the headlight, then it rivals the LED's (this is all on the Low Beam setting, in daylight).

The 3W LED's had been in place for around 4-5 years. It was interesting to remove them, and to see the condition they were in after 10,000+ miles: a little dirty, but otherwise, unaffected. Mind you, I paid all of $30 for the pair, delivered, off of e-Bay. I really don't think that a $200+ set of LED's would have functioned any better for their price-point (never had an issue with them once installed, worked flawlessly). I'm convinced that any waterproof LED set will suffice on a motorcycle... YMMV. Cheers!

[Draxxis]

I have a pair of Cree 18W fog lights that I installed to replace the old halogen fog lights. I got a new toggle switch and installed it next to the cb, close to the gas tank cover. The toggle switch lights up and it will only turn on the fogs if the bike is actually running.

Plus I replaced my headlight with a HID light. Talk about a huge difference in night driving.