[georgeDubya]

I'd like to install a master switch that shuts off all lights on the bike (front, rear, blinkers, etc.). I have a ranch and use nighvision goggles so don't need the light, but it spooks the animals. Any thoughts on how this could be accomplished? Is it as simple as tapping into the wiring harness as it ends near the battery? ANyone else done something like this?



It's a 2009 TW.



thanks

 

[darnold87]

Mine is a 1989 model... I can just turn the key off to kill all lights and it stays running (off-switch is the only way to shut off the motor)... I assumed this was normal? Maybe not? Maybe the newer models don't do this?

 

[assquatch20]

Mine is a 1989 model... I can just turn the key off to kill all lights and it stays running (off-switch is the only way to shut off the motor)... I assumed this was normal? Maybe not? Maybe the newer models don't do this?

I have an 89 as well but if I turn the key off the entire bike goes off.

 

[darnold87]

I have an 89 as well but if I turn the key off the entire bike goes off.

I guess mine is just 'special'...

I figured something was not right... you can kick start it without the key too. So I have to always remember to lock the handlebars for security.

 

[georgeDubya]

so any ideas on how to do this?



thanks

 

[mrutkaus]

Unless somebody's done it, you've got to get out the wiring diagram for your year and trace it out to find if there's one common point for the lights, then break it there and put in a switch.



However, I would imagine there is at least:



-one circuit for headlight and taillight

-one circuit for turn signals

-one circuit for brake light

-one circuit for 'dash' light



Mike

 

[PJungnitsch]

If you turn the headlight socket a quarter turn and reattach it to the light the regular headlight switch will give you a crappy low beam and a shutoff, instead of low/hi. That's how mine was set up when I bought it, assume they were trying to save battery power.

 

[TW2007]

I'd like to install a master switch that shuts off all lights on the bike (front, rear, blinkers, etc.). I have a ranch and use nighvision goggles so don't need the light, but it spooks the animals. Any thoughts on how this could be accomplished? Is it as simple as tapping into the wiring harness as it ends near the battery? ANyone else done something like this?



It's a 2009 TW.



thanks

Get a maintenance manual for the TW.



But-if you go to the wires coming out of the alternator you will see that there are two outputs; one for the ignition and another for the other electrical power-if you trace this one back to the key it should be obvious where to place a switch.



This way the key is on, the ignition works and the rest of the electrical system is OFF. Again easier to see and do with a schematic from the maintenance manual.



Good luck.



Mike



PS we got an injured mountain lion running around here--

 

[Boret]

You can always get a handlebar on/off switch in series with the low beam cable, so you can turn off the front light, which is the one that draws more watts anyway.

http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Switches/switches.html



My only concern with adding a switch for all lights would be to make sure that it can handle the amps when it is in the ON position. It probably needs to be able to handle 8+ amps to be on the safe side.

 

[georgeDubya]

You can always get a handlebar on/off switch in series with the low beam cable, so you can turn off the front light, which is the one that draws more watts anyway.

http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Switches/switches.html



My only concern with adding a switch for all lights would be to make sure that it can handle the amps when it is in the ON position. It probably needs to be able to handle 8+ amps to be on the safe side.

thanks, that's a great idea, love that switch. I was going to go with the cheap radio shack variety. I can probably use this switch combined with a break in the line from the battery to all the lights. I'll put my volt meter to that line and turn all the lights on at the same time and check amperage.

 

[Boret]

To do it correctly I would use that switch and a relay.

 

[Gerry]

I did a switch for the headlight as that was all I was concerned with. I found the hardest part is getting your hands/tools into the tight spaces needed to get the job done. Off pavement, I figure I don't need a headlight and the other low-draw bulbs, I don't worry about. Gerry

 

[PJungnitsch]

I've got that switch at the moment together with an Eastern Beaver headlight relay kit. My plan was to use the relay kit to brighten the headlight when I'm not using it, but the side benefit is the switch only trips the relay so doesn't have to handle much current itself.



If you find a place to break the line for all the lights one relay would do that for you.



Edit, Boret beat me to it.

 

[Boret]

Edit, Boret beat me to it.

Must be the 15 front sprocket!

 

[Boret]

double post

 

[Adam-n-nevada]

Jeez...this would have been a major plus for my recent mission on the TW. I used cardboard cutouts instead and taped them onto all of the lights.

 

[brownie2]

Where is Boret's relay and switch breaking the line?

I've got the wiring diagram. I just can't find an appropriate place.

Thanks

 

[qwerty]

All the lights are not on one circuit, so you cannot simply switch one circuit and defeat all the lights. However, you can use a relay on each circuit and power the relays through one switch.



The brake, tail, turn, and horn are all powered by brown wires. Work back through the harness and find the point were these feeds intersect and place a relay there. Be careful that you do not cut the brown wire between the main key switch and the ignition circuit cut-off switch or the starting circuit cut-off relay or the bike will not run.



The headlight can be defeated by cutting the yellow wire between the headlight switch and the rectifier.



Wire your two relays to a common switch and you're good to go, until your electrical system decides to burn itself out because there is no load when the lights are off.

 

[elime]

I guess mine is just 'special'... I figured something was not right... you can kick start it without the key too. So I have to always remember to lock the handlebars for security.

Where the wires from the ignition switch plug into the wiring harness, check those plugs. They are just below the ignition switch. I bet one of them is either corroded or unplugged. On my '87 TW there is a pink plug that when I unplug it the TW will act as you describe. Something to remember if you lose your keys.

 

[brownie2]

qwerty, What do you mean by burning out because of no load. I've not heard that one before.