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How Are Your Aux Lights Wired?
Peter Duncanson
I am the happy recipient of a set of PIAA driving lights as a Christmas gift (I am doubly lucky because Cindy did not make me send them back when I bought the F-bike).  Here is my question:  Do you use a separate switch to turn them on, or have them wired so they are on whenever the key is on, or wired to come on when the high beam is on, or something else I have not thought of?
 
Thanks for your input!
 
Pete
Montgomery Crenshaw
I had PIAA 1100x fog lights on several BMWs. They were switched and would work only with the low beams when on.  Good lights

From: BMWMCON - Tech
Sent: ?12/?25/?2015 9:22 PM
To: wcrenshawmini@att.net
Subject: How Are Your Aux Lights Wired? <<$140005445548$>>

I am the happy recipient of a set of PIAA driving lights as a Christmas gift (I am doubly lucky because Cindy did not make me send them back when I bought the F-bike).  Here is my question:  Do you use a separate switch to turn them on, or have them wired so they are on whenever the key is on, or wired to come on when the high beam is on, or something else I have not thought of?
 
Thanks for your input!
 
Pete
Pete Aberg
Hi Pete,

I have (2) sets of lights on my 1150GS.   One set are LED, the other are PIAA.
The LEDs are turned on when the key is on.   I had a relay wired into it too, if I decided I wanted it controlled by a switch, but never utilized it, as I like it on all the time.  Rod's LED lights are set-up this way, too.  Mine are dimmable, so I can still turn them off, if I desire, as well, by turning the dimming down to no light.
The PIAA's, are turned on by a programmable relay.  The relay is programmed to accept a 3 second signal from the "turn signal cancellation" switch.   This switch is held for 3 seconds, in order to turn the PIAAs on.  Due to the programmable relay, I have ONLY all stock switchgear on the handle bars.  Said a different way, I have NOT added any extra switches on the handle bars to turn-on the PIAA's.
If you have interest in these programmable relays, let me know, and I'll get you the mfg name, so you can investigate this set-up for yourself.
Regards,
Pete A

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 25, 2015, at 9:22 PM, BMWMCON - Tech <tech@bmwmcon.org> wrote:

I am the happy recipient of a set of PIAA driving lights as a Christmas gift (I am doubly lucky because Cindy did not make me send them back when I bought the F-bike).  Here is my question:  Do you use a separate switch to turn them on, or have them wired so they are on whenever the key is on, or wired to come on when the high beam is on, or something else I have not thought of?
 
Thanks for your input!
 
Pete
Keith Steiner
Pete A,
 
You mentioned programmable relays as a way to switch auxiliary lights without adding another physical switch.
 
Who makes these?  Are these sold primarily as motorcycle accessories or marketed for another market -- but very useful for our application also?
 
Thank you,
Keith

Quoted Text
I have (2) sets of lights on my 1150GS.   One set are LED, the other are PIAA.
The LEDs are turned on when the key is on.   I had a relay wired into it too, if I decided I wanted it controlled by a switch, but never utilized it, as I like it on all the time.  Rod's LED lights are set-up this way, too.  Mine are dimmable, so I can still turn them off, if I desire, as well, by turning the dimming down to no light.
The PIAA's, are turned on by a programmable relay.  The relay is programmed to accept a 3 second signal from the "turn signal cancellation" switch.   This switch is held for 3 seconds, in order to turn the PIAAs on.  Due to the programmable relay, I have ONLY all stock switchgear on the handle bars.  Said a different way, I have NOT added any extra switches on the handle bars to turn-on the PIAA's.
If you have interest in these programmable relays, let me know, and I'll get you the mfg name, so you can investigate this set-up for yourself.
Regards,
Pete A

Pete Aberg
Hmmm...   I responded to that awhile ago....

If I still had the bike, I'd go out and get you the mfg.....     
They are referred to as SMART relays, or smart switch, as I recall, and I believe aerostitch carried them.....but I just looked at their sight, and couldn't find them.

Here's a link, that looks like what I was talking about.  It would appear to me, VALUEACCESSORIES is marketing the product now...  It was really a great way to control the aux lighting!

http://www.valueaccessories.net/Light%20Bar%20Wiring.htm

Good luck
Pete
Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 23, 2016, at 10:20 AM, BMWMCON - Tech <tech@bmwmcon.org> wrote:

Pete A,
 
You mentioned programmable relays as a way to switch auxiliary lights without adding another physical switch.
 
Who makes these?  Are these sold primarily as motorcycle accessories or marketed for another market -- but very useful for our application also?
 
Thank you,
Keith

Quoted Text
I have (2) sets of lights on my 1150GS.   One set are LED, the other are PIAA.
The LEDs are turned on when the key is on.   I had a relay wired into it too, if I decided I wanted it controlled by a switch, but never utilized it, as I like it on all the time.  Rod's LED lights are set-up this way, too.  Mine are dimmable, so I can still turn them off, if I desire, as well, by turning the dimming down to no light.
The PIAA's, are turned on by a programmable relay.  The relay is programmed to accept a 3 second signal from the "turn signal cancellation" switch.   This switch is held for 3 seconds, in order to turn the PIAAs on.  Due to the programmable relay, I have ONLY all stock switchgear on the handle bars.  Said a different way, I have NOT added any extra switches on the handle bars to turn-on the PIAA's.
If you have interest in these programmable relays, let me know, and I'll get you the mfg name, so you can investigate this set-up for yourself.
Regards,
Pete A

Dennis Corrieri
My K bike had a wire coming off the head lights, so the PIAA light were "available" when the headlights were on (Running)


On Friday, December 25, 2015 9:22 PM, BMWMCON - Tech <tech@bmwmcon.org> wrote:


I am the happy recipient of a set of PIAA driving lights as a Christmas gift (I am doubly lucky because Cindy did not make me send them back when I bought the F-bike).  Here is my question:  Do you use a separate switch to turn them on, or have them wired so they are on whenever the key is on, or wired to come on when the high beam is on, or something else I have not thought of?
 
Thanks for your input!
 
Pete


Tom Lewis
The headlight switch on my 1150gs has 2 positions...the first position engages the headlight while the 2nd position engages the PIAA relay...so the PIAA's are only on when the headlight is on....hope this isn't to confusing.

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 26, 2015, at 10:04 AM, BMWMCON - Tech <tech@bmwmcon.org> wrote:

My K bike had a wire coming off the head lights, so the PIAA light were "available" when the headlights were on (Running)


On Friday, December 25, 2015 9:22 PM, BMWMCON - Tech <tech@bmwmcon.org> wrote:


I am the happy recipient of a set of PIAA driving lights as a Christmas gift (I am doubly lucky because Cindy did not make me send them back when I bought the F-bike).  Here is my question:  Do you use a separate switch to turn them on, or have them wired so they are on whenever the key is on, or wired to come on when the high beam is on, or something else I have not thought of?
 
Thanks for your input!
 
Pete


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