Auto Electrician advice needed

[Holmsey]

Hi thinking of replacing the twin headlights on my Fatbob with these:

MOTORCYCLE DOMINATOR TWIN HEADLIGHT SET - CHROME on eBay (end time 28-Oct-09 12:32:30 GMT)

My question is do I need to fit a relay? If so, would I take the full power wire straight from the Battery or is there a full power wire I can use in the harness?
Can anyone see any pitfalls using these?
The original ones are piss poor and also look naff with just one light working on dip or main.. Cheers.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Holmsey

Hi thinking of replacing the twin headlights on my Fatbob with these:

MOTORCYCLE DOMINATOR TWIN HEADLIGHT SET - CHROME on eBay (end time 28-Oct-09 12:32:30 GMT)

My question is do I need to fit a relay? If so, would I take the full power wire straight from the Battery or is there a full power wire I can use in the harness?
Can anyone see any pitfalls using these?
The original ones are piss poor and also look naff with just one light working on dip or main.. Cheers.

10 amps - I'd fit a relay, easy job.

[BaZa®]

http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...-80w-bulb.html

[Holmsey]

Cheers guys that explains it totally. I was hoping as the same bike in the US just runs the power for both lights through the switch I may get away with it ;o)

Simple wiring job, hopefully the relays will fit in the light buckets and I can feed the thicker feed wire down the braided lines.... Still nothing ventured.. as they say. Thanks again.

[Ukkid76]

You will need to fit two relays if you want to have both bulbs working at the same time,

You will have to run a heavy duty live and earth wire direct from the battery, the heavy duty live wire will have to be protected with a fuse as close to the battery as possible.

It is a good idea to solder all the spade terminals to prevent shorting and for longevity.

[simonDyna]

Be aware that some of those aftermarket twin headlamps are crap. Yes, they have bright bulbs but the reflectors are rubbish. It might be an idea to check to see if anyone has used this particular make or could recommend a set.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Ukkid76

You will need to fit two relays if you want to have both bulbs working at the same time,

You will have to run a heavy duty live and earth wire direct from the battery, the heavy duty live wire will have to be protected with a fuse as close to the battery as possible.

It is a good idea to solder all the spade terminals to prevent shorting and for longevity.

Nope, 1 relay will do as long as it can handle 10 Amps.

[panheadpete]

Sorry to disagree Roger but he'll need 2 relays; 1 for both main beams (60+60 watts = 10Amps) and 1 for both dip beams (55+55 watts = nearly 10 Amps) if that's the way he wants to run them; or a switchover relay would work but would involve having one or the other on at all times, that would depend on whether the bike has lights permanently on and would need some re-wiring of the switches.
Cheers,
Pete

[Ukkid76]

Originally Posted by panheadpete

Sorry to disagree Roger but he'll need 2 relays; 1 for both main beams (60+60 watts = 10Amps) and 1 for both dip beams (55+55 watts = nearly 10 Amps) if that's the way he wants to run them; or a switchover relay would work but would involve having one or the other on at all times, that would depend on whether the bike has lights permanently on and would need some re-wiring of the switches.
Cheers,
Pete

Thanks Panheadpete two relays a defiantly needed. apart from the realays the only thing that's really important is to re-new the earth wire to the bulb and the relays and bring that wire up to the same spec as the new live wire!!

[Roger]

Sorry to disagree with your disagreement guys, but you are wrong . You only need one relay. You use an automotive changeover type, so when the coil is not energised you get power to the low beam from terminal 87a. When you energize the coil, it switches to 87, and the main beam.