Running a bypass to my headlight, how many amps and what size wire?

[Moespeeds]

Hey guys, since it looks like the headlight portion of my EHC is shot, I'm going to run a separate line up to the headlight through a switch. It looks like there is 18ga wire in the bucket now, but I'm not sure. What guage wire should I use, and how many amps should I fuse it for?

Thanks,

 

[bdmridgeback]

The stock headligt bulb draws just under 6 amps in High beam mode and just under 4 amps in low beam.

I would fuse it at 10 amps max.

 

[Gas Man]

Moe... consider replacing your ignition switch with a 3 wire. You wire your ignition/power wire to the EHC stuff on the first throw and then when you switch back another position it turns on the headlight or other assc

 

[Moespeeds]

Too late Gas, already have 2 separately fused, separately switched runs to the headlight. Had it out tonight, everything is running great!

 

[Moespeeds]

Made a little bracket that mounts under my seat, off the oil bag bolt. Left side turns on my homo LED's, right side has two switches, one for high, one for low. They are sitting under my nuts while I'm on the bike, can't see them unless you stick your head under there. (under my seat, not my nuts)

 

[Punisher]

My headlight portion of my EHC is done. Does the bypass start at the battery and run to the switch then the fuse and on to the headlight? Let me know how you ran this bypass because it made me come home early today because I didn't want to be out after dark and need it by next weekend.

 

[Gas Man]

Could also use a 2 position key switch. First throw from off is powering the EHC and such like it currently does. 2nd throw (after first) turns on whatever you want. I got a 2 throw key on mine now... but nothing hooked up to the 2nd circuit.

 

[Moespeeds]

Hey Punisher, I ran 2 wires straight off the battery, through seperate 10a blade fuses, to 2 little switches I mounted on a small bracket off my oil tank under my seat, then up to the headlight. I spliced them in just after the stock connection near the neck. Obviously make sure you unplug the stock EHC connection! Since switching to HID I lost my high beam so I've removed one of the fuses and the other switch is just backup.

 

[Cuz]

Well Dam,
My headlight went out today also.
I bought new bulb and put it in and nothing.
I cant even get a high beam blue light.
Anyone know if I should buy another board for the left controls to start with.
Also I have never had to replace a fuse for the that or if there is one to replace.

Laters
Cuz

 

[bdmridgeback]

No fuses! Thanks good ole' BDM for that one. Hell, even a damn John Deere tractor has fuses!!! Not a single fuse in the bike...

 

[Cuz]

Well Shit........
It has to be in the hand control board or the EHC i guess.
Dam

 

[Gas Man]

Better start checking the wiring first... start at the headlight, work towards the connector under the gas tank, and then maybe check the hand controls while under the tank...

 

[Moespeeds]

I just put a volt meter up at the headlight bucket. I figured it was the EHC because I was getting some weird readings, 10v on the low and 5v on the high. Hitting the high beam switch did nothing.

 

[bdmridgeback]

That is the EHC!! 10v and 5v is the same as what one of the other guys tested when his EHC went out.