Wiring Help

[jonathan180iq]

I'm wiring some extra brake lights into the vacant tail light pods on my trunk.

I have them installed and the wires are dangling inside of it and looking for a home.

Lastnight, when I tried to get them wired, I couldn't get them turn on. Anyone have any advice on where I can tap into for some juice? I tried running them directly into the fuse box, but had no luck.
I'm an electrical dummy. So, any advice would be appreciated.

They are simply little A-194 bulbs mounted on a self grounding base.

Thanks in advance,
Jonathan

[Easy Rider]

I'm wiring some extra brake lights into the vacant tail light pods on my trunk.


Slight correction: You are TRYING to wire them in! :cry:

Your attempt at connecting to the fuse box verifies your .......inexperience....with electrical wiring. :roll:

Not gonna go look at my bike at the moment so let's start with a general idea what you need to do:

Look at and/or take apart the EXISTING brake light assembly to the point where you can easily see the wires connected to it and see where they go. Connect the new wires to the existing wires going to the stop light side of the dual element bulb.
Try to make this connection at a place where it will not be exposed to constant water and/or make it water tight.

More details later.......or maybe someone else will provide specifics.
Do you have a shop manual?

[jonathan180iq]

Yes, I have a shop manual.

I should probably rephrase. I'm just working on running lights. They won't actually be brake lights. They'll just be extra rear lights.

[Easy Rider]

I should probably rephrase. I'm just working on running lights. They won't actually be brake lights. They'll just be extra rear lights.

Well, yes, it DOES make a difference..........but not much really.

General proceedure is the same; just look for the wires going to the TAIL LIGHT element of the existing bulb.....the one that is on all the time.

There probably are 3 wires at the bulb socket. One is neutral (negative, ground), one is + for stop light and one is + for tail light. The shop manual might even tell you which colors are which.

[jonathan180iq]

Thank for the help man.

I'll have to check the wiring schematic. I found the main connection in the line that runs to the rear. I made it sure it was right by unplugging it. That turned the rear light off. I'm going to use one of those 3 way taps and just clamp it on the line and run that split back to my running lights. I'll post if it work or if it doesn't.

Thanks again,
Jonathan

[Easy Rider]

I'm going to use one of those 3 way taps and just clamp it on the line and run that split back to my running lights. I'll post if it work or if it doesn't.


Should work fine....for a few years .......until it vibrates loose. (I'm not a big fan of those on bikes.)
Tape it securely with electrical tape and it will probably last as long as you have the bike.

[jonathan180iq]

I'm pretty freakin' excited about these.

The first photo shows the tail section with the vacant red lense of the trunk. It was useless but made a great space for this little project.

http://www.postimage.org/aVldOUi.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVldOUi)

The next photos show the tail section with everything glowing. As you can see, it's not a huge difference, but it's pretty nice and elevates the level of RED light over the low rear running light.

http://www.postimage.org/aVlcFz9.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVlcFz9)

Part of the problem lastnight was that I didn't have a sufficient ground to the little lights. I also ran the power line under the rear seat and clipped it into the BROWN line on the tail light wiring harness.

Thanks, Easy, for for the tips. Let me know what you think.

[Easy Rider]

Thanks, Easy, for for the tips. Let me know what you think.

Good job !! :tup:

It looks so good I'm reluctant to comment further.......but........
I think I would have wired them as extra STOP lights.
I'm considering getting a license frame with LEDs for aux. stop lights.

[jonathan180iq]

For liscnese plate stop lights, are you talking about something like this?
http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Sto ... 16981.html (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Stopper-LED-Brake-Light-p-16981.html)

If I do change my mind and opt for extra brake lights, all I, or anyone else, need to do is splice into the Black wire with the white stripe. That's the brake line. As I said, the brown line is the running line.

I don't know why they use so many different colored lines. I understand in keeping systems separate so you can find certain wires. But, back in the day, I remember all ground wires being black and hot wires being colorful. Oh well. It works.

[Easy Rider]

For liscnese plate stop lights, are you talking about something like this?


Something like that, yes.
Available somewhere are actual plate frames with red LEDs all the way around.
Don't remember where. :cry:

[jonathan180iq]

That'd be a pretty good idea. If I don't slow down though, I'll end looking like a Christmas tree.

Now that I think I have the hang of this, I'm thinking of also installing a small LED strip in the still vacant area of the pod and wire them into the BRAKE line. That would be some definate visibility.

[Badbob]

Good job! I was going to bring up the grounding but you beat me to it.