dual headlight question

Bosgarage57 · April 26th, 2012, 04:54 PM

Im putting a different headlight on the 250. I now have 2 round headlights, and I would like 1 on low, then when I go to high beam they both come on. Anyone know how I can do this? I think I need a diode, but not sure what type or kind.

Xepher2792 · April 26th, 2012, 05:08 PM

When you put the high beam on they are supposed to both come on I thought.

TnNinjaGirl · April 26th, 2012, 05:11 PM

On the pregen are there two bulbs or a single bulb that handles high and low?

choneofakind · April 26th, 2012, 05:21 PM

one bulb. it's an H4.

Bosgarage57 · April 26th, 2012, 05:23 PM

doesnt really matter, Im running 2 different headlights, h3s. I think I need a diode.

Xepher2792 · April 26th, 2012, 05:24 PM

I still don't understand the problem this is the way it was designed most likely.

TnNinjaGirl · April 26th, 2012, 05:36 PM

Bosgarage57 · April 26th, 2012, 05:37 PM

I dont think so, I dunno. I am using the original plug for the headlights (the one that plugs into the headlight) and have 2 positives, one for each headlight, and 1 negative, the negatives are spliced together. I think I need a diode so the current doesnt come back. So when I am in low, I'll only have 1 headlight, and when in high I'll have both. Heres the diode I've found:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062591

The headlight I've got only has an amperage of 3.9 so Im covered on that. its worth a try.

Edit: CB from your picture it doesnt have the low going to the high.

choneofakind · April 26th, 2012, 05:38 PM

^^ that won't light both with the high on. The pregen only runs 1 filament at a time.

When the high is on, the low is off. When the low is on, the high is off.

The red "high" wire would have to go to both bulbs in order to light both like Lucas wants

TnNinjaGirl · April 26th, 2012, 05:39 PM

I don't understand why you'd need a diode.

TnNinjaGirl · April 26th, 2012, 05:40 PM

ohhhhh, thanks Chris.

Bosgarage57 · April 26th, 2012, 05:41 PM

CB, like I said, so when I am on low, its only on 1 light, and on high, both will be on. Without the diode it would be both on at low and high.

choneofakind · April 26th, 2012, 05:42 PM

Yes, Lucas you would need a diode. Check out the crude drawing I just drew. The diode would go on the red wire I drew in so when the low is on it doesn't power the high as well.

Bosgarage57 · April 26th, 2012, 05:44 PM

Thanks chris for the clarification, but I believe the diode needs to go from the Low to the high, so your line would be the other way,,,,,,,,,,,,,right.

TnNinjaGirl · April 26th, 2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosgarage57

CB, like I said, so when I am on low, its only on 1 light, and on high, both will be on. Without the diode it would be both on at low and high.

Makes sense after knowing that the low filament is turned off when the high is on.

Bosgarage57 · April 26th, 2012, 05:47 PM

yea, unlike h4's, h3's are single filament. All in all, Im going to have about $40 in the whole headlight setup.

Then i get to tear into the carbs, then I'll be ready to ride with ya CB!

TnNinjaGirl · April 26th, 2012, 05:49 PM

The bike is looking good. I'm looking forward to meeting you and seeing the bike. Let me know if you need an extra pair of hands and I'll stop by. Good luck on your modz!

choneofakind · April 26th, 2012, 05:49 PM

As long as the + wire to the high beam is connected in parallel, they will both light when the high beam is on.

If you have them wired like I showed, basically the + terminal on each bulb is connected in parallel. Connecting them effectively means that whenever one is lit, the other is as well because there will be back flow through the red wire when the low is on.

Think of a diode as a one way valve. It will stop back flow from happening when the low is on. It has to be on the bridge wire between the + terminals.

Bosgarage57 · April 26th, 2012, 05:54 PM

Right, so do diodes have a "this side on" "this side off" type of thing. Like if I put it on backwords it wont work right? That is my concern. If not, how does the diode know which way to flow?

CB. Thanks, dont think you want to drive to Sevierville just to help little ole' me

I've got dad for all the dirty work anyways.

Xepher2792 · April 26th, 2012, 06:01 PM

OHHHHH I get it I thought you were saying when the low was on just the low was on and when the high was on they were both on.

Bosgarage57 · April 26th, 2012, 06:09 PM

Spence, no that is what i want to do! Glad we are all on the same page...........Now if I could just figure out a way to get out of work tomorrow hmmmmmm

choneofakind · April 26th, 2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosgarage57

Right, so do diodes have a "this side on" "this side off" type of thing. Like if I put it on backwords it wont work right?

That's correct. There will be a marking on it telling you which way it flows.

See how this pair of diodes (used in the diode mod for LED signals) has a silver tip at one end? that silver end tells you which way the current flows. Current flows towards the silver end in this case. The diodes you buy will have similar markings so you know which way to install them.

Bosgarage57 · April 26th, 2012, 06:18 PM

Thanks guy youre the bomb!

April 26th, 2012, 04:54 PM	#1
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	dual headlight question Im putting a different headlight on the 250. I now have 2 round headlights, and I would like 1 on low, then when I go to high beam they both come on. Anyone know how I can do this? I think I need a diode, but not sure what type or kind.

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April 26th, 2012, 05:08 PM	#2
Xepher2792 Newbie Researcher Name: Spencer Location: Ventura CA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 48	When you put the high beam on they are supposed to both come on I thought.

April 26th, 2012, 05:11 PM	#3
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	On the pregen are there two bulbs or a single bulb that handles high and low?

April 26th, 2012, 05:21 PM	#4
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	one bulb. it's an H4.

April 26th, 2012, 05:23 PM	#5
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	doesnt really matter, Im running 2 different headlights, h3s. I think I need a diode.

April 26th, 2012, 05:24 PM	#6
Xepher2792 Newbie Researcher Name: Spencer Location: Ventura CA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 48	I still don't understand the problem this is the way it was designed most likely.

April 26th, 2012, 05:36 PM	#7
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.

April 26th, 2012, 05:37 PM	#8
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	I dont think so, I dunno. I am using the original plug for the headlights (the one that plugs into the headlight) and have 2 positives, one for each headlight, and 1 negative, the negatives are spliced together. I think I need a diode so the current doesnt come back. So when I am in low, I'll only have 1 headlight, and when in high I'll have both. Heres the diode I've found: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062591 The headlight I've got only has an amperage of 3.9 so Im covered on that. its worth a try. Edit: CB from your picture it doesnt have the low going to the high.

April 26th, 2012, 05:39 PM	#10
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	I don't understand why you'd need a diode.

April 26th, 2012, 05:40 PM	#11
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	ohhhhh, thanks Chris.

April 26th, 2012, 05:41 PM	#12
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	CB, like I said, so when I am on low, its only on 1 light, and on high, both will be on. Without the diode it would be both on at low and high.

April 26th, 2012, 05:42 PM	#13
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Yes, Lucas you would need a diode. Check out the crude drawing I just drew. The diode would go on the red wire I drew in so when the low is on it doesn't power the high as well.

April 26th, 2012, 05:44 PM	#14
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	Thanks chris for the clarification, but I believe the diode needs to go from the Low to the high, so your line would be the other way,,,,,,,,,,,,,right.

April 26th, 2012, 05:47 PM	#16
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	yea, unlike h4's, h3's are single filament. All in all, Im going to have about $40 in the whole headlight setup. Then i get to tear into the carbs, then I'll be ready to ride with ya CB!

April 26th, 2012, 05:49 PM	#17
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	The bike is looking good. I'm looking forward to meeting you and seeing the bike. Let me know if you need an extra pair of hands and I'll stop by. Good luck on your modz!

April 26th, 2012, 05:54 PM	#19
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	Right, so do diodes have a "this side on" "this side off" type of thing. Like if I put it on backwords it wont work right? That is my concern. If not, how does the diode know which way to flow? CB. Thanks, dont think you want to drive to Sevierville just to help little ole' me I've got dad for all the dirty work anyways.

April 26th, 2012, 06:01 PM	#20
Xepher2792 Newbie Researcher Name: Spencer Location: Ventura CA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 48	OHHHHH I get it I thought you were saying when the low was on just the low was on and when the high was on they were both on.

April 26th, 2012, 06:09 PM	#21
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	Spence, no that is what i want to do! Glad we are all on the same page...........Now if I could just figure out a way to get out of work tomorrow hmmmmmm

April 26th, 2012, 06:18 PM	#23
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	Thanks guy youre the bomb!