 Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 137
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OP
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The light kits supplied by Triumph sell for "x" dollars depending on where you buy them. The light bars are easy to knock up - have one ready to go! My question is...has anyone researched the other motorcycle companies light kit costs? Specifically CHROME lamps to put on a light bar. Harley costs are ... what's the word?....REDICULOUS. I'd reckon the Japanes chrome is better than the English anyway. How 'bout the lights used on the Jap Cruisers? The sizes of all the motorcycle hiway lights seem to be roughly the same, what about cost? Anyone done this by chance? Only just thought of this, I've been scouring the contry for chrome off road / driving lamps (for cars)! 99% of them are black. The only Chrome Hella's I could find of a good size were $240 EACH! Can anyone save me some research time? 
Aussies have got.....BUNDY RUM!!
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,200 Likes: 1
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
The sizes of all the motorcycle hiway lights seem to be roughly the same, what about cost? Anyone done this by chance?
I am pretty sure that the lights with the Triumph kit are generic, so you should be able to get the lights and wiring from your dealer as seperate parts if you want to make up your own bar. (Probably not gonna be much cheaper than buying the whole kit though)
Others on this forum (mainly in the US,) have made up their own light bars, but they usually seem have smaller diameter lights. If you do a search, your should find the threads pretty easy.
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223
Big Bore
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Big Bore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223 |
What size lights are you looking for?
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
These are THE smallest chrome driving lights I could find anywhere. I think I got them from JCWhitney... Others have put much more traditional larger driving lights on everything from home made light bars to the JC Whitney or Triumph bars. Not sure how you feel about online shopping, but it seems to be a good way to see what's out there. Dennis Kirk, JCWhitney, etc. 
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438 |
I am in the process of putting these on the bike. J&P Cycles - Adjure Beacon 2 Marker Lights J&P Cycles has a pretty good selection of lights. You might want to look on their site.
Ride On!
Airguy
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You gotta' be smart to be lazy(and get a job done)
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
I'm pretty sure that Japanese and Chinese chrome is exactly the same as on the Triumph light bars.
What makes the Triumph ones almost worth the price is that you take off the tank, plug in the cable and relay, bolt on the lights and you're done.
Note that the HD factory light bar is a bit different. You buy each bit separately, and it is a 4 hour or more job to install IF you have experience at it.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 40
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 40 |
I'm on my second set. The first got munched in a crash but they gave thier kife to save other parts I'm sure.
My feeling is that they are spread way too wide out away from the headlight. I have often considered having them shotened and rechromed but I'm pretty sure I could just find somthing that is made more to my liking for cheeper.
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1 |
Check these out.   The whole deal cost about $40.
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
That's awesome Fishercat, meant to tell you that a few months ago!
Al
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Aren't those PIAA lights? How did you get those for 40 clams?!?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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 Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1 |
Benny
Those are the Hella Optilux 2000 knock offs of the PIAA. You can but them on Ebay for $39.95 all day. So I guess they actually cost 39.95 + S&H + Nuts, Bolts, threaded rod, chrome spacers. Total bill was more like $60.
Oh and a lot of anxiety cutting my windshield.
Last edited by Fishercat; 04/15/2006 9:51 AM.
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
I sometimes forget about eBay  I should find what I want, search ebay, THEN get them. Hella is good stuff. My horns are Hella!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,179
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,179 |
English chrome? Chromed in Thailand. Thairumph Chrome
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Speaking of alternate ways to mount driving lights, I cant go with posting the ones that I had. I managed to lose one (to a rock I think), but I have another set to install. I think I might go with the same set up again.  Soren
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 137
Adjunct
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OP
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Posts: 137 |
Do these little lights actually work? Are they any good on the hiway at night?
Look fantastic, and installing them is definately thinking outside the box, BUT DO THEY WORK?
Aussies have got.....BUNDY RUM!!
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Hey Soren? Aren't those the same lights as me? JCWhitney right?
Michael, since you asked me the same thing, pretty sure Soren would say yes!! I hope to test mine out tomorrow.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Hey Benny, Yes, those are the same lights as yours. And yes, they work terrific.
Soren
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Well there ya go
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297 |
After 2 or 3 cages flash their brights at you, you will know that they work. Ryan 
In Between the Dark and the Light..
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 312
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 312 |
Soren,
Can you give a bit more info on how you mounted the lights near the mudguard? What kind of light?
'05 America - Tec 2-1 (from a Thruxton)/ 4 pot caliper/ Kurt's Rearsets /
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
They are Optronics Competition Series Driving Lights - 55-W H-3. I moounted them using the bolts that hold on the fender. I ran the wires along the brake line up to where they go unde the tank. Hope that helps. Soren
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5 |
I ordered the same lights. I'm looking forward to installng them. Can someone give me some guidance on wiring these to the existing headlight. Can this be done? Do I need an additional relay/fuse ? If so what amp etc...Thanks,George
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
A while back someone posted a wiring diagram that included a relay and switch. I'll search later and see if I can find it.
Soren
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 455
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 455 |
Soren, I was going to ask a similar question. Do you have any tips/trade secrets from installing your lights?
I'm not sure I want to wire mine (future tense) to my headlight...so, along the same lines as geoscons, do I need to add a relay/fuse (if not wiring to the headlight)?
Thanks!
Brad
Neon Blue '05 SM
Where are the pedals on this thing?
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
They are Optronics Competition Series Driving Lights - 55-W H-3. I moounted them using the bolts that hold on the fender. I ran the wires along the brake line up to where they go unde the tank. Hope that helps.
Soren
I have a brand new set of these I'm not using if any wants them PM. I'll give you a great price.
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
I would definitely add a fuse.... You can get inline blade type fuse holders at any auto parts store, and you just wire em in. You'll be an expert solderer when you are done! Don't forget the heat shrink or Phil will make you feel guilty... Once you figure out how a relay works, it's really a simple wiring job. There's the "load" half of the relay, and the "switch" half. Basically you get power from the battery to the load, go thru the fuse, then from there to the lights, and then from the lights back to ground. Then you tap into the wiring harness for the switch (either an "always on" or "switched 12v" or one of the headlight hots) then from there up to the switch you install. I hooked into a switched 12v so that there's no way the lights could be left on if the bike was off!@ So then when the bike is on, the switch on my dashboard is "hot", and when you flip it, the relay flips the actual light circuit. All a relay does is allow you to run something with lots of current using a smaller switch.
OK did any of that make sense?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5 |
Benny,
It makes perfect sense. One last question: Which color "hot" wire in the headlight harness do I connect the swith side of the relay to? The rest I can do .
Thanks,
George
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
I got a hot wire and a ground I think from under the tank where the Triumph light bar would plug in. (black is ground by the way...) Not sure the color of the hot one off hand, but if you have a volt meter, it would be real easy to check. And as for the replay, most if not all of them have a wee little diagram printed right on them so you can figure it out from there.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 455
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Brad
Neon Blue '05 SM
Where are the pedals on this thing?
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
That's pretty cool! Almost a plug n play. Just have to find the switched wire. Also, that pic is a good way to visualize it.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362 |
You want to use a relay with ANY extra lights. You might also need a switch to disable them to meet local regulations. Best place to connect any extra lights is at the standard connector for driving lights under the tank. Have a look at my website for a pinout of the plug so you can find out which wires to use etc. Matt
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 137
Adjunct
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OP
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Posts: 137 |
Quote:
After 2 or 3 cages flash their brights at you, you will know that they work.
Not exactly a good measure as to the effectiveness of the lights on the road - your comment simply means drivers can't see well looking at you coming at them. The lights may be just extremely bright, but don't light up the road more than 15 meters - not enough at hiway speeds.
Aussies have got.....BUNDY RUM!!
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 455
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Does anyone know offhand if it's possible to get the mating connector to the aux light connector that sits under the tank?
Brad
Neon Blue '05 SM
Where are the pedals on this thing?
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Does anyone know offhand if it's possible to get the mating connector to the aux light connector that sits under the tank?
I am sure it may be possible (everything is possible), but good luck. I looked online and asked several places and came up empty handed. I amy not have been looking for the right thing or asked the right questions. If you are thinking a connector would be the best way to go, then I absolutley agree with you. If you or anyone else happens to find one, then please pass the information along.
Soren
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Re: Hiway lights/light kits
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5 |
Another question. I want to use the hot side of the high beam indicator light to switch the relay on/off so when I turn on the high beams the auxilary lights come on. I have a wiring diagram. It appears that the blue/white wire is the "hot " side.Is this correct?Can I wire it this way? Thanks George .
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