HOW-TO: Running Lights/Signal in headlamps. Understanding Relays.

As requested. I made up a couple images for layout. I figure instead of just telling the people how to wire it. Why not explain how relays work. Disclaimer: My knowledge of relays come from DIY Car Audio install. Just what I have learned from installing amps with other devices off remote wires. Wiring alarms. Now - on to the relays. There are two types of relays that are commonly used in 12-volt applications: Single-pole Double Throw (SPDT) relays, which have 5 pins, and Single Pole, Single Throw (SPST) relays, which have 4 pins. Better off just getting the Double Throw relays. Single Throw relays usually work fine for switches. On the Double Throw, as mentioned above, there is 5 prongs. 85, 86, 87, 87A, and 30. What are all the terminals? Look at attached image and try to see if you figure it out yourself.

Confusing? Hopefully not. Lets break it down some. 85 - relay coil can be either positive or negative but must obviosly be opposite 86 86 - Relay coil can be either Negative or Positve. 87 - has power when the Relay coil (85 and 86)is energized. Polarity is based on what current you have on Terminal 30. 87A - Recieves power from Terminal 30 When relay coil is not energized. 30 - +12volts if you want to trigger +12volts or Ground if Your Using the relay to ground something. So look at the picture. See what makes it switch?

So say you want to keep your stock running lights in your headlight and you want to make them act as signals, without losing the running light feature. This is easy to do. You can set up the relay to make the headlight running lights stay on. How is this done? That is simple. You have 3 wires coming into your stock blinkers. If you replace them with Greggs (or any other single element flushmount). One is ground, One is Signal lights (12v switched) and the other is running light (12v Constant). You wire up the 12v constant to the relay. Ground everything. Again 85 and 86 are the pole switches. So hook up the signal light wire from the bike to the relay - lets choose 85. Ground the relay to 86. Our 12v constant should go into the relay into 30. Now - where does this put us? 85 and 86 are grounded. The relay is not energized. Which means in this mode 87a is constant. Plug in your running light in the headlight to 87A. Now when you put on your signal light. You'll see the running light in the headlight flashing. What it is doing is turning off/on with the signal light. How do you make the flushmounts flash now? We have 87 left over - in which is switching between 87a/87 because 85/86 are energizing. 87 and 87a are going on/off one after another. This in results makes your flashers blink in opposite of one another. Look at this chart for the wiring.

You will definately need to get a good flasher relay. I had this setup on my R6 with the stock blinker relay. Because the Bosch relay has such low resistance - it'll blink fast. I recommend the libertek flash relay. It is adjustible and works the best with the aftermarket LED lights. I recommend using quick disconnect plugs on each wire from the bosch relay to the lights. That way you can take off your fairings and not have to worry about disconnecting all the of the relay or what not. Final wiring drawing.

Well i'm tired. I'll do a proofreading when i'm awake at work tomorrow. If you have any questions i'll see what I can do to help. Good luck. :)

Thanks dude, must admit I feel more comfortable doing it now

There Daekwan... Told ya I'd get it done.. ;) I AM getting a digital very soon.. so I'll be able to make How To's with every mod I get in.. :fact

If someone wants to buy me the greggs lights that I can put in my headlamp i'll make a step by step :)

ahaha Corny.. always workin the angles.. :finger

Very kick ass "How To" Corny - Thank you!

I gotta say, that's one of the best "How To"'s I've read. Thanks Corny. I'll put in $5(sorry just bought a 2nd bike) for the step by step of the gregg's running light mod. THANKS!!! Brian

:thumbup very well done Thats what makes this place rock:rock

Good info, Thanx :thumbup

i know about relays, but I'm lost at how to do this no the bike. Anyone in florida want to help me with the mod to my running lights?

Originally posted by Corny If someone wants to buy me the greggs lights that I can put in my headlamp i'll make a step by step :) You can do the how-to on installing mine! ;)

Bumping.

i have a couple relay's laying around and was wondering if they would work for this ... they are Optronics Pro series 30amp relay for auxiliary lights/horns ... part number A-715 these are the 4 prong .. on the back it says "86-S "terminal from switch", 87-B "terminal from power source", 85-M "Terminal for relay ground wire", 30-H"Terminal for lights/horns" ... now would this just eliminate the running lights and turn them into blinkers only? and would the blink as fast as the flush mounts? Thanks!!

or since i do not want the running lights any more, could i just snip the power wire to the running lights, and tap into the turnsignal power wire and run it to the running light power wire and just turn it into a blinker? also, would the fuse for the signals handle that much of a load?

I ran mechanical relays for a while, but found that they were problematic and caused issues. I switched them out for the Custom LED magic blinkers, and am in the process of fixing my wiring mess from before. I'm also integrating the upper corner running lights as turn signals while doing this, and have changed all lights now to LED's. :rock :rock