What is a "headlight relay"?

[Elimax]

Hi folks:

In my quest to purchase a headlight on/off switch, a potential source said this to me: "The handlebar switch I sell won't handle the full current of a headlight. You therefore need to put relays on the headlight, so you can use the switch on the LO beam relay."

I am, of course, an idiot...so, any of you know hat I need to do so I can purchase and use this on/off switch?

Thanks foks!

Elimax

 

[Redbone]

Hi folks:

In my quest to purchase a headlight on/off switch, a potential source said this to me: "The handlebar switch I sell won't handle the full current of a headlight. You therefore need to put relays on the headlight, so you can use the switch on the LO beam relay."

I am, of course, an idiot...so, any of you know hat I need to do so I can purchase and use this on/off switch?

Thanks foks!

Elimax

I went with the Eastern Beaver H4 headlight relay kit which allows the headlight to draw it's power from the battery through relays. The kit still maintains it's stock wiring and still controls the headlight. I purchased the shorter kit that has the relays tucked into the shell but I would advise to go with the fairing mount type so you can mount the relays under the faux tank, would make reinstalling the headlight much easier!!! This mod will improve your lighting greatly and coupled with a silverstar bulb it will bring the Vmax lighting at least into this century!
http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html

I also have a silverstar h4 bulb and it is a bright white light now, but thinking for the rual roads that I travel I gonna get the Hella 55/100 H4 bulb for better high beam performance.They are fairly cheap ($12 - Ebay) too. Thanks Shad!

 

[kevman]

A headlight relay is basically an electric switch which uses a small amount of current to turn on a magnet/coil which joins 2 contacts together which can handle a lot higher current .The relay takes the load off the switch.You will need 2 relays 1 for low and 1 for high beam.You can buy a kit or you can make your own.A relay needs a positive and a negative feed to activate the coil and a fused input from the battery positive terminal and an output to your headlight bulb.Google 12volt dc relay.Cheers Kevman.So you use you oe headlight wiring to turn on the relay which sends power to the headlight.

 

[Elimax]

Thanks for the info, guys.

Hey Redbone: Where are you going to get your Hella 55/100 H4 Bulb from?

Thanks again.

Elimax

 

[Rhoy Carter]

I changed out the complete switch to one that has an on-off for the headlight and I did not have to buy relays. I think it was about $66 plus shipping, if you are interested I will look up the url where i ordered it from.
Rhoy

 

[Redbone]

Thanks for the info, guys.

Hey Redbone: Where are you going to get your Hella 55/100 H4 Bulb from?

Thanks again.

Elimax

From ebay, I see them on there most times I've looked, try this link: http://motors.shop.ebay.com/__?_from=R40&_trksid=p3841.m39.l1313&_nkw=hella+55/100&_sacat=

 

[Elimax]

Cool!

Redbone: Just ordered a bulb thruthe link you sent.

Rhoy: I'd love that url link if it's not too much hassle.

Thanks!

 

[[email protected]]

IMO any 12VDC switch that is rated for the amount of current that the headlight is fused at would work just fine.

Radioshack sells tons of 12VDC switches. If all you want is a simple on/off switch you can buy one for less than $10 on line, including shipping.

http://www.google.com/products?as_s...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CB4QrQQwAg

The only reason I would see a relay to be necessary is if you buy a cheap ass switch that is only rated for like 1 Amp because it would burn out from the current the head light draws. Now, if you buy a switch rated the same as the headlight fuse (15A, I think :ummm then it should be fine and you wont need a relay. Bump the switch up to 30A and you can use it for the whole bike, LOL. The main fuse is 30A.

On the other hand, a relay is nice because it will allow full battery voltage to travel directly from the battery to the bulb in the headlight. Not necessary, but a very nice mod that will give you a brighter headlight. And no, you don't have to buy them from anyone specific. A generic one will do if you have some wiring skills. And they are cheap. Just be sure to fuse your relay input from the battery, run a nice sized copper wire (10 AWG).

http://www.google.com/products?q=12+Volt+relay&hl=en&aq=f

 

[Rhoy Carter]

http://www.epfguzzi.com is the website then look under parts and handlebar switches

 

[AmnChode]

Just out of curiousity, would a relay make any difference with an HID conversion/setup? From my understanding, they work at a completely different voltage to begin with...

 

[Elimax]

Hey Rhoy:

Is the one you have the one at the top of the link you sent? (It's called the "OEM Style Left Hand Switch")?

Thank you!

Elimax

 

[Rhoy Carter]

Yes that is the one

 

[Rhoy Carter]

That switch is not a plug & play, it is wired a little different and now my self cancel turn signal does not work. You could also use a 20 amp rated switch and run the headlight ground wire through it to turn the headlight off.