i got mine off ebay for $3 simply because i didn't want to risk my whole electrical system

 

When I get around to doing this I believe that I will go the relay route. With the diode setup you will not get full brightness as you will get a .7 volt drop across the diode. If the bought setup is decent I think I would go that way rather than risk what might happen if you put the wrong wires together possibly blowing part of your electrical just seems like good insurance. Being in the electronics industry the parts are free for me no matter which way I go. I just do not do much in the way of night riding.

 

I agree that a .7 voltage drop will occur, but I dont think it will make much diffference with blaring 3 lights at once, and dropping one of them just over a half volt, do you? I just cant see it making a huge difference.

A diode can be found for .30! Even free, if you rip apart an old power supply. You can try http://www.mcmelectronics.com. If you bought anything at Radio Shack, you've paid too much.

I don't see it as a risk if you're careful and you understand what needs to be done. If you're unsure you probably shouldnt be messing with the electrical system at all.

If you have the correct wires, the worst that could happen is you might accidentally put the diode in backwards--in this case, three lights will come on when it's on low-beams, and high will come like usual.

 

Does anybody have the wiring diagram for this mod? I ask because if the diode is installed in parallel you will still provide full voltage to the lights in parallel - but if installed in series you will drop .7 volts that will not be provided to the light. Not sure how the diode is being installed in this mod.<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: upnort

When I get around to doing this I believe that I will go the relay route. With the diode setup you will not get full brightness as you will get a .7 volt drop across the diode. If the bought setup is decent I think I would go that way rather than risk what might happen if you put the wrong wires together possibly blowing part of your electrical just seems like good insurance. Being in the electronics industry the parts are free for me no matter which way I go. I just do not do much in the way of night riding.</end quote></div>

 

I would think that doing it would decrease headlight life...... the increased heat inside the bulb case from both lights being on could make the bulb burn out..... I know that is what happens with cars. When I worked for Ford a lot of older drivers used to drive with their low-beams on and pull back on the stick to force the "flash to pass" high beams all the time and drive that way in dark areas. And their headlights would fail a lot quicker then anyone else and I used to suggest they ad some driving lights so they would not have to do that....

 

All three lights are in seperate housings. They are on my 2002 anyways.
I think you are referring to the high and low bulbs in the same housing.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: *5 J's*

Does anybody have the wiring diagram for this mod? I ask because if the diode is installed in parallel you will still provide full voltage to the lights in parallel - but if installed in series you will drop .7 volts that will not be provided to the light. Not sure how the diode is being installed in this mod.<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: upnort



When I get around to doing this I believe that I will go the relay route. With the diode setup you will not get full brightness as you will get a .7 volt drop across the diode. If the bought setup is decent I think I would go that way rather than risk what might happen if you put the wrong wires together possibly blowing part of your electrical just seems like good insurance. Being in the electronics industry the parts are free for me no matter which way I go. I just do not do much in the way of night riding.</end quote></div></end quote></div>

The diode would be in series from the low switch power to the high beam. It will be in series to the high beam, but the lights will illuminate in parallel. Make sense?

 

I agree with the earlier post,
Why dick around with finding what wire is what and trips to radio shack.
For $10.00 the kits come with all the parts, connectors and idiot proof (for me) instructions.
Mine took a half hour and have been using it for 3 years. never blew a bulb or fuse.

 

If you still have the instructions, you could tell us what colors to splice into. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Buying the diode for $0.30 and 2 connectors is the same as buying the kit, minus the text that identifies the color of wires.

Please let us know if you have it....

 

I have the instructions at my shop. It will probably cost me about $15.00 to drive over there.
I don't think you are going to do this mod for .30 there buddy.
Break down and spend the $10.00 on ebay, I've used it for 6 years and am yet to get burned.
Just kidding, good luck
Deerkiller