Hi Pete,
Now that sounds like my kind of mod. :thumbup I have an HID dip light fitted and have the same reservations as you when switching from main to dip. Please post the piccies and diode details.
How To Guides
Hi Pete,
Now that sounds like my kind of mod. :thumbup I have an HID dip light fitted and have the same reservations as you when switching from main to dip. Please post the piccies and diode details.
Simple Upgrade
Right,
I have done this modification to my bike a while ago and have done it by adding a diode.
This achieves the following result:
Low beam control on: low beam light on
High beam control on: both low and high beam are actuated.
This method has the following advantages:
Each one of the headlight control circuits makes use of a relay so that the current going to the lamp does not have to go through the control switch.
The low and high beams are controlled in the same fashion.
The following diagram shows the wiring principle.
The modification consists of using a diode, in simple terms a diode is a bit like a one way valve for electrical currents.
A diode is shown in the following diagram:
The diode will only allow the current and therefore allow the voltage to be the same in one direction: so if we put 12V on the Anode end (the end furthest away from the white stripe) the other end will be at 12V (minus a 0.6 V or so don't ask as it gets technical but it will put through enough to energise a relay.
Also in reverse if we put 12V on the Cathode (the end the closest to the white strip) the voltage on the other side will not be 12 but 0V.
So the diode is insterted between the two control circuits in the following fashion:
This can be applied to all bikes early and late milles alike oh and may even apply to the new non milles RSVR's :nana (as long as the control circuit is the same aas shown in the first picture).
Ok now onto the doing it:
You will need:
A soldering iron (maplins or any hardware store have them for not much money or borrow one)
Some solder (usually comes with soldering iron)
A diode: now as this is not going to conduct much current any standard low power diode such as a 1N4001 will do perfectly. These are available from any component shop, any Tv repair place will have some Maplin also stock them http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=19079 and they cost pennies. :thumbup
I did it on my 02 Shape Mille and removed the relays from the base and soldered the diode as shown in this photo:
Note the side on which the white stripe is on the diode (if you get this the wrong way round it will not work).
I found it easier to remove the relay holder from the left side of the front subframe.
I then reseated the relays.
I made sure the diode was tucked in under the lid of the relay holder (you could put the relays in some sheathing to ensure it does not short out with anything.
And it looks like this with low beam:
And Like this with high beam:
And the last great thing about this mod is that it is reversible in seconds.
I have not had any issues with the MOT with this fitted.
Have fun.
Pete :doug
Right,
I have done this modification to my bike a while ago and have done it by adding a diode.
This achieves the following result:
Low beam control on: low beam light on
High beam control on: both low and high beam are actuated.
This method has the following advantages:
- It is easily reversible
- It is virtually impossible to get wrong
- It costs pennies
- It should work on any bike
Each one of the headlight control circuits makes use of a relay so that the current going to the lamp does not have to go through the control switch.
The low and high beams are controlled in the same fashion.
The following diagram shows the wiring principle.
The modification consists of using a diode, in simple terms a diode is a bit like a one way valve for electrical currents.
A diode is shown in the following diagram:
The diode will only allow the current and therefore allow the voltage to be the same in one direction: so if we put 12V on the Anode end (the end furthest away from the white stripe) the other end will be at 12V (minus a 0.6 V or so don't ask as it gets technical but it will put through enough to energise a relay.
Also in reverse if we put 12V on the Cathode (the end the closest to the white strip) the voltage on the other side will not be 12 but 0V.
So the diode is insterted between the two control circuits in the following fashion:
This can be applied to all bikes early and late milles alike oh and may even apply to the new non milles RSVR's :nana (as long as the control circuit is the same aas shown in the first picture).
Ok now onto the doing it:
You will need:
A soldering iron (maplins or any hardware store have them for not much money or borrow one)
Some solder (usually comes with soldering iron)
A diode: now as this is not going to conduct much current any standard low power diode such as a 1N4001 will do perfectly. These are available from any component shop, any Tv repair place will have some Maplin also stock them http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=19079 and they cost pennies. :thumbup
I did it on my 02 Shape Mille and removed the relays from the base and soldered the diode as shown in this photo:
Note the side on which the white stripe is on the diode (if you get this the wrong way round it will not work).
I found it easier to remove the relay holder from the left side of the front subframe.
I then reseated the relays.
I made sure the diode was tucked in under the lid of the relay holder (you could put the relays in some sheathing to ensure it does not short out with anything.
And it looks like this with low beam:
And Like this with high beam:
And the last great thing about this mod is that it is reversible in seconds.
I have not had any issues with the MOT with this fitted.
Have fun.
Pete :doug
Excellent report well explained and easier to do than the switch:thumbup:biggrin
Yep, 14p and 1.50 for heat shrink wrap (1mm x1.5M) which is not vital but I'm going to buy it anyway. Oh yes, there is a Maplins less that half a mile away.:doug
Joined Oct 2010
4K Posts | 0+
Pontefract
Bit of a cheeky question BoB, but if i sent you a stamped address envelope with the money in would you get me one whilst your there matey :biggrin
Hey ...you dont ask you dont get :biggrin
Joined Aug 2007
1K Posts | 0+
Brent Knoll, Somerset
Tight northern bugger:biggrin
ehem Sssshhh I will do the same bro so order 3 but its a secret ok!:thumbup
Joined Aug 2008
3K Posts | 0+
Brittany France
Great Stuff Pete
I would adding HID xenons though as it makes a world of difference for about 30 quid.
I would adding HID xenons though as it makes a world of difference for about 30 quid.
Rectification
Just re-read my original post and I said get some shrink to put the relays in.
I'm pleased to see you understood it as put some shrink on the diode so that it can't short out with anything.
I would need to have a closer look at the wiring diagrams for the 04, but am pretty sure it will work on them.
Have fun.
Pete (thinking the best ideas are always the easiest)
Just re-read my original post and I said get some shrink to put the relays in.
I'm pleased to see you understood it as put some shrink on the diode so that it can't short out with anything.
I would need to have a closer look at the wiring diagrams for the 04, but am pretty sure it will work on them.
Have fun.
Pete (thinking the best ideas are always the easiest)
Been to maplins 14p soldered in didn't take long:thumbup
Cheers for the post :thumbup:thumbup:biggrin
Job now done:thumbup
Cheers for the post :thumbup:thumbup:biggrin
Job now done:thumbup
Sprocker & Black Sabbath - I'm on my way to Maplins this morning. I'll get several diodes so let me know your addresses and I'll post one to you.
Joined Oct 2010
4K Posts | 0+
Pontefract
Got it. Reply sent and it will be in the post by the end of the day.
Well, mine's done! :doug How can you go wrong with such detailed instructions? Took me 20 - 30 minutes total. Many thanks P-Peter. Great mod.:thumbup
All I want now is for the weather to clear up, get warmer and go out in the dark. Have you got a mod that will fix that for me Pete?:devious
All I want now is for the weather to clear up, get warmer and go out in the dark. Have you got a mod that will fix that for me Pete?:devious
anyone got a spare diode and soldering iron
You are obviously working on the principle of, 'if you don't ask....' etc. I can help you with a diode but not the iron.
