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fred harmon | profile | all galleries >> I modified my headlight circuit so they only come on after the engine is running tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

I modified my headlight circuit so they only come on after the engine is running


Complete GL1800 Maintenance video now available at
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Old low beam relay circuit
Old low beam relay circuit		 Proposed (untested) latch relay circuit for low beams and fog lamps
Proposed (untested) latch relay circuit for low beams and fog lamps		 Alternate FOG relay wiring
Alternate FOG relay wiring		 There is a blank spot for a relay that can be used for the latch relay
There is a blank spot for a relay that can be used for the latch relay
Note polarity of diode in relay pack, and that there are two different relays. Use the Honda P/N 39794-MCA-000 4 pin relay
Note polarity of diode in relay pack, and that there are two different relays. Use the Honda P/N 39794-MCA-000 4 pin relay		 Blank spot in relay bank
Blank spot in relay bank		 Adding connectors for relay. When you push the connector into the body, it locks in place
Adding connectors for relay. When you push the connector into the body, it locks in place		 Adding another connector and wire
Adding another connector and wire
Adding new relay (Honda p/n 39794-MCA-000)
Adding new relay (Honda p/n 39794-MCA-000)		 Relay added and wiring done
Relay added and wiring done		 Here you can see the wires I added. The diodes (1N4006 or Radio Shack # 276-1114) are inside the heat shrink
Here you can see the wires I added. The diodes (1N4006 or Radio Shack # 276-1114) are inside the heat shrink		 This loosewire on post on right side of engine above oil dipstick will cause a flashing Reverse light.
This loosewire on post on right side of engine above oil dipstick will cause a flashing Reverse light.
reverse.jpg
reverse.jpg		 Headlights.JPG
Headlights.JPG		 Headlights2.JPG
Headlights2.JPG

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Wes 03-May-2007 14:34
Hey, Fred!

I stumbled on your photos while trying to find pictures of an NEP throttle lock.

I thought you might find this interesting, it is the headlight latch circuit from the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. I suspect variants on this circuit are used on many late-80s-designed Kawasakis (like the old Connie, the EX500, and so forth).

It does not turn the headlight on until the bike is running, it leaves it on if you stall, and turns it back off when you thumb the starter. Best of all, it's very low-tech and basically bullet-proof.

Since I can't post a hyper link, I'll spell it out for you: aytch tee tee pee colon slash slash forums dot ninja250 dot org slash uploads slash 355823 dot gif

The headlight relay is set up in a latching (self-feeding) configuration, triggered by a pulse from one of the alternator phases (rectified by a diode). Additionally, it's grounded through the starter relay's coil, which is not-a-ground when the starter button is pushed... Very clever!

The only trick will be diode selection. You want one that will pass a reasonable pulse when the engine is running, but preferably not when it is cranking. And something with some life to it, like maybe the MUR860 in a TO-220 case.

Wes
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