HID's and/or relay mod

wakdady · April 06, 2011, 02:08:48 AM

I am seeing that performing the relay mod is a good idea, especially since my bike is completely apart.
BUT, the DDM tuning HID is fairly cheap. If i were to do the HID's, would I still need to do the relay mod?
Probably a dumb question, but i can't seem to wrap my head around this one, lol.

simi_ed · April 06, 2011, 03:36:04 AM

Yes, do the relay mod. It's also a good time to do a horn relay.

The stock FJ wiring is rather anemic, and a good, stiff 12V feed will keep the ballast (& probably bulb too) happy for a long time. If the voltage drops too low (at arc strike a lot of current is required, lowering the voltage) the light may not light, or may have to try several times to get the arc to light. This will shorten bulb life and probably the ballast as well.

Marsh White · April 06, 2011, 09:36:46 AM

Quote from: wakdady on April 06, 2011, 02:08:48 AM
BUT, the DDM tuning HID is fairly cheap. If i were to do the HID's, would I still need to do the relay mod?

I'm going to counter Ed's statement and tell you that no, you don't have to do the relay mod if you do the DID HID kit. What I believe Ed is forgetting is that with that kit it has a wire going directly to the battery already for power. The headlight socket only serves as a switch to activate the relays (high beam / low beam / on-off) - not to supply power to the bulb. So, a relay running to the headlight socket in addition to the DID kit would be pointless.

simi_ed · April 06, 2011, 10:19:39 AM

I agreee with Marsh ... A relay for the headlight socket would be pointless. But a relay is needed for the HID.

Marsh White · April 06, 2011, 10:34:29 AM

Quote from: simi_ed on April 06, 2011, 10:19:39 AM
I agreee with Marsh ... A relay for the headlight socket would be pointless. But a relay is needed for the HID.

I'm not sure I understand your post Ed. But to clarify: the DID HID kit comes with ALL of the relays and wiring harness allready nicely built in. It comes with a nice long wire that you run directly to the positive terminal of the battery. No further wiring is needed or necessary.

LA Mike · April 06, 2011, 03:31:32 PM

Any advice on the install as I picked up mine last Thursday mine did not come with any instructions?? It looks like the changed the look of the wiring harness from the one in Marsh's video.

LA Mike

Marsh, PM me I need to return your oem shock & look again at the mounting brackets you made for Givi rack.

FJmonkey · April 06, 2011, 08:30:48 PM

Ed did the relay before he did his HID I think. I did my upgrade at Ed's house with his guidance. Very easy, very plug and play. No wires to cut and in a pinch you can switch back to a standard bulb by unplugging the DID from the OEM plug. And switch back to HID just as easy. See my simple write up below.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2674.msg25840#msg25840

E Double · April 09, 2011, 08:13:55 PM

I had done the Eastern Beaver Relay before I put the DDM kit in. At the time I purchased the DDM motorcycle kit, it was really just half of a car kit, with a rather bootleg wiring harness/relay that still had the connector for the second light on it. So honestly I'm glad I had done the relay prior, because the one DDM provided was rubbish. That being said, I like that they have a lifetime warranty on their products, and I've purchased their car kits for a few vehicles since then.

wakdady · April 12, 2011, 08:07:16 PM

a new H4 headlight at cycle gear costs $40!! thats how much ddm wants for HID's.

anyway, i'm a little confused by the pdf. am i supposed to buy a headlight connector? since it says "new headlight connector" on the pdf.

FJ Flyer · April 15, 2011, 09:07:31 AM

You can go to AutoZone and get a Sylvania Silverstar H4 for half that, and IIRC, that's a pack of two.

FJmonkey · April 15, 2011, 06:27:09 PM

Quote from: FJ Flyer on April 15, 2011, 09:07:31 AM
You can go to AutoZone and get a Sylvania Silverstar H4 for half that, and IIRC, that's a pack of two.

Add the cost and time to do the relay mod to get full voltage so the H4's work as intended. It was a wash for me, now I have super bright light pointing in the direction I go the fastest. I was really happy that I did this mod after Klavdy had his disagreement with a pinecone. I drove home in pitch black in the mountains without a clear visor...Some of the cars pulled over for me, I think they wanted my F&^%$ bright light out of their mirrors.

wakdady · April 16, 2011, 11:07:14 AM

well, i did the mod and got a phillips motovision bulb.
BUT, my lowbeam still sucks ass! it dims while idling as all the other lights, and it's just generally crap lighting. the high beam on the other hand is bright and lights up the road very nicely.
i dont get it.

Marsh White · April 16, 2011, 11:25:03 AM

Quote from: wakdady on April 16, 2011, 11:07:14 AM
well, i did the mod and got a phillips motovision bulb.
BUT, my lowbeam still sucks ass! it dims while idling as all the other lights, and it's just generally crap lighting. the high beam on the other hand is bright and lights up the road very nicely.
i dont get it.

You did use TWO different relays right? One for the low beam and one for the high beam? Just checking.

wakdady · April 16, 2011, 11:27:39 AM

yes, i did. it's wired identical to the pdf file.
funny though, one of the relays has an 87a and i accidentally connected to the A instead of the 87. the lights would turn off with the key on, and turn on with the key off, lol.

FJmonkey · April 16, 2011, 11:30:31 AM

Quote from: wakdady on April 16, 2011, 11:27:39 AM
yes, i did. it's wired identical to the pdf file.
funny though, one of the relays has an 87a and i accidentally connected to the A instead of the 87. the lights would turn off with the key on, and turn on with the key off, lol.

Sounds like the difference between "Normally Open" and "Normally Closed".

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HID's and/or relay mod