I am in the process of putting additional lights on my 450 kodiak and my brother is doing the same to his 500 quadmaster. Th lights are already picked out 55 watt.

Sceniaro 1
If I track down the wire that goes to my stock headlights that turns on the high beams, can I splice into this wire for the additionl pair of lights to come on with the stock high beam switch? Will this heat up the switch? Would it be too much for the wiring? Do i need to up the amps on the fuse for the stock headlight circuit?

Scenario 2
If I add my own waterproof switch for these lights where would I splice them in, So they only come on when the key is on/or bike is running? Do I need a relay for this seperate circuit or just an inline fuse.

 

#1 If I did my math right each 55w light will draw about 4.5 amps so 2 would round up to about 10amps for the extra lights. Add in your current high beam light which is another 4.5 to 5 amps for a total of about 15 amps. If the wire your taping into is 18 gauge or smaller your probably out of luck. 16 gauge I think would be the min and a 20 amp fuse (or try the 15A). Your right the problem is probably going to be the stock switch.

#2 If you want it to come on with the headlights yes, go with a relay and run the main power off the battery and I would put in a fuse. A lot cheaper than burning up the bike if something shorts out.

 

Thanks for the information.....
This forum is great...

 

Instead of an extra switch feed your relay with the hot wire for your stock high beam and it should work fine. No problems with heating up your stock switch or wiring. (or is that what you were already thinking)

 

Yes, I want to use my stock switch to turn on the high beams and turn the driving lights at the same time.
This will accomplish several things, I will not need to install a switch, and I will not have to install and indicatior light that tells me that the lights are on. I had a set on my wolverine, Ran all day with them on and they melted the covers that I put on them...

So I will just find which wire gets hot when I hit the high beam switch and feed this to my relay of the driving lights...

thanks...

 

You got it. I think you'll find the relay at walmart in automotive section where their fog lights are at (in case you don't have a 12v relay).

 

Either Walmart or Autozone..

thanks..