Wiring in aux LED lights

[snowy]

After seeing a few pics of various GTR's with additional lamps up front, thought I'd get me a pair, I'd rather be seen and cursed at than not seen and flattened!   
As always, fleabay provided the goods, 10W CREE (supposedly) LED aux lamps, cheap enough and seem OK quality!
Bolt holes in the bottom of the mirror mounts look the logical mounting point, but just wondering what the consensus is on wiring them in?
Straight into the aux wiring in the front n/s fairing?
Taking a tap off dipped beam with a switched and relay fed supply so can be on or off?
Locations for an illuminated aux switch if I go for the switched option?
Any thought or pics / feedback appreciated!   

[beegee]

Hoy,
Mine are all ok even after more than a year'.
Topic and explanation were on  http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4255.0

And placed 3 pics on http://hobbysandlife-moto-fotos.blogspot.be

Wired with taps into the aux wires of the extra aux wich is in the left front just placed under my little box (model 2010)

Many people last year asked lots of questions or were glad to see that,  some even thought it was factory made, cause wired inside the mirrors.

Good luck !

[markmacd]

After seeing a few pics of various GTR's with additional lamps up front, thought I'd get me a pair, I'd rather be seen and cursed at than not seen and flattened!   
As always, fleabay provided the goods, 10W CREE (supposedly) LED aux lamps, cheap enough and seem OK quality!
Bolt holes in the bottom of the mirror mounts look the logical mounting point, but just wondering what the consensus is on wiring them in?
Straight into the aux wiring in the front n/s fairing?
Taking a tap off dipped beam with a switched and relay fed supply so can be on or off?
Locations for an illuminated aux switch if I go for the switched option?
Any thought or pics / feedback appreciated!   

On a Bandit I had last year, I purchased some DLR lights and the instructions stated they need to be wired straight into the current DLR circuit, by either splicing or soldering. I first spliced into the wires and they look great, but after a couple on months burnt out. I then soldered the wires, again looked great but burnt out. My experience of adding lights has not been  a good one i'm afraid.

I would like to add some lights to the Beast as winter is approaching so dark mornings and dark nights will be part of my daily commute, but un less I know the right lights and wiring, I don't think I will bother.

[snowy]

Sorted!
THE BELOW IS A SUGGESTION ONLY - WORKED FOR ME - WHAT YOU DO ON YOUR OWN BIKE IS AT YOU OWN RISK!         phew!
Worked on the idea of using existing screws in lower of mirror.
Got meself a pair of these......          http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261808098846  -  quality OK, but great value for money!
Taking the fairing / dashboard trim off either side of the clocks gave me all the access needed.
Remove the INNER only of the three screws - nearest the fairing, NOT THE MIRROR - from the mirror mount, T20 head, 4mm bolt.
With a 5mm tap, carefully cut a new 5mm thread in the existing screw hole (4mm threaded hole is an OK size to be the correct tapping size for 5mm) cutting into the ally of the mirror mount, go as deep as you can without too much pressure, we don't want a broken tap!
Use a 5mm x 25mm long screw to mount the Light bracket to the mirror mount, suggest use of a spring washer and a drop of loc-tite or other thread fix.
Mount the LED's in the mounts / carriers, tighten securely.
The wiring, I don't like drilling holes unless I have to! Wiring seems to fit nicely under the fairing infill / cover panels when re-fitted.
At present I have wired the LED's (10watt, current=power/volts, so amps = 10/12 = 0.8 amps - 1 amp - no issues )  ) directly to the aux power connectors in the nearside front fairing, so LED's are on with ignition, will fit a switch sometime but as stated above, don't like drilling holes so might take a while to decide!
Park against a wall and align them the best you can so as not to dazzle others.
Less than an hour, mighty impressed with clear white light, don't expect them to make much extra light but in terms of being seen - the mutt's nuts!
If Debs reads this please re-size the pics for me, and if anyone going the same way and want advice please ask, or if any comment let me know.

[markmacd]

They Do Look the part and positioned well.
Quick Question, why did you cut a 5mm Hole to resize as from 4mm to 5MM, I doubt there is very much difference. Could you just use the existing hole and get a longer bolt to go through the hole ?

I agree with you on cutting holes in the trim. When I did mine on the bandit (the one the kept blowing), I used abit of double sided scotch tape and stuck it on the underside of the fairing, so it was hidden and a secret switch.  I am glad I did that in the end, rather than drill.

[snowy]

Mark, didn't cut a new hole, it's my use of words! 
, cut a new thread, 5mm x 0.8mm in the existing 4mm threaded hole.
No need to drill the existing hole out as it was OK as a tapping size for the 5mm tap.
6mm may be better, but I'm happy with the 5mm bolt holding it all together.
Think your previous issues with failing joints is down the current / heat that additional lamps, using normal lamps, not LED's, draw.
N.B. - Lamps, not bulbs - you plant those in the garden! Did a BT apprenticeship and had that hammered into me as a youth!
If you add 2 x 21w lamps, that's about another 4 amps for a pair, add that onto the original 50w lamp, that's almost 10A through existing wiring and taps / splice connectors!
If using normal lamps - use a relay in the existing circuit with a new feed from the battery / fusebox for lamps.
LED's, depending on power, should be OK, but I'll be running a relay in for mine later as I now have sat-nav, heated grips and LED's on the existing aux. wiring!
If you want a hand fit more than welcome to visit and I'll help out, only 12 miles from Stafford / 70 from Nottingham!

[ZG]

The PCA light mounts work great and make it so your lights are positioned flat coming off the bottom of the mirrors instead of following the angle of the mirrors. Then you can run the wire up through the mirror bases for a pretty clean look IMO. That's what I did.


http://www.pca-one.com/productDetail.asp?productID=7899

[snowy]

Thanks ZG!
Looks mighty good, just the cost! Might have to find some black acetel the right size and have a go at making something similar!

[markmacd]

Mark, didn't cut a new hole, it's my use of words! 
, cut a new thread, 5mm x 0.8mm in the existing 4mm threaded hole.
No need to drill the existing hole out as it was OK as a tapping size for the 5mm tap.
6mm may be better, but I'm happy with the 5mm bolt holding it all together.
Think your previous issues with failing joints is down the current / heat that additional lamps, using normal lamps, not LED's, draw.
N.B. - Lamps, not bulbs - you plant those in the garden! Did a BT apprenticeship and had that hammered into me as a youth!
If you add 2 x 21w lamps, that's about another 4 amps for a pair, add that onto the original 50w lamp, that's almost 10A through existing wiring and taps / splice connectors!
If using normal lamps - use a relay in the existing circuit with a new feed from the battery / fusebox for lamps.
LED's, depending on power, should be OK, but I'll be running a relay in for mine later as I now have sat-nav, heated grips and LED's on the existing aux. wiring!
If you want a hand fit more than welcome to visit and I'll help out, only 12 miles from Stafford / 70 from Nottingham!

Thanks Mate. I might get me a pair and have a go. If I run into trouble, I can have a ride over to see you and take you up on your offer.
Did you look at any other lights or are the ones you bought OK.

[snowy]

Sorry for delayed update.
Yep, for the money they ain't bad! Cheap metal, had to fettle the mounting assembly a little, but they do what they say on the can.
Yes, I would prefer some better lookers, but until you have them in your hand or fitted no idea what you're buying!
I do like the setup that ZG has posted here, but PIA lights, way off my budget!
I'm off work for 12 days now, so if you're out riding west let me know and you can have a look.
From your post in headlights, I can recommend the Osram Night Breakers, yet to change them on the GTR, but on a GS and XTZ made a big difference.

[markmacd]

Sorry for delayed update.
Yep, for the money they ain't bad! Cheap metal, had to fettle the mounting assembly a little, but they do what they say on the can.
Yes, I would prefer some better lookers, but until you have them in your hand or fitted no idea what you're buying!
I do like the setup that ZG has posted here, but PIA lights, way off my budget!
I'm off work for 12 days now, so if you're out riding west let me know and you can have a look.
From your post in headlights, I can recommend the Osram Night Breakers, yet to change them on the GTR, but on a GS and XTZ made a big difference.

Thanks Again, appreciate your advice. Do you know what the fitting type is for the Nightbreakers, as they go from H2 to H7 ? I cant seem to find any database that tells the fitting type and cant find in the manwell either. I figured, if I upgrade the headlights first, and then if still needed, I can fir the lamps second.