Can I manage "load shed" with an additional switch?

[relic]

I have an '08 LT and, for the first time since my '75 R75/6, I'm without a Euro switch to manage my lights. I've really become accustomed to that feature. Dealer confirms that a Euro switch is not avail after '05.

To accomplish light management, is it reasonable to think I can manage the Load Relief Relay K9120 with an additional switch/power supply?

Can I just put a switch in the control circuit to supply 12v to activate the load relief relay and keep the lights "off"; and conversely with the added switch not supplying power, permit the load relief relay to function normally?

How complex would this task be?

Is there some electrical reason I should not attempt to do this?

Is there some alternative solution to lighting control that makes more sense?

[Ajlelectronics]

Is there some alternative solution to lighting control that makes more sense?

Yes, leave the lights ON. Better for you to be seen for your and everyone else's safety. If you had a method of turning off the lights, you may be tempted to leave them off, which is what the lack of switching is obviously intended to prevent. The load shed relay will do what it says on the tin, so not sure why you want to do this?

[relic]

You demonstrated this same judgemental and intolerant attitude when I was trying to locate a Euro switch recently. I patiently and thoroughly explained my reasons and preferences for you then. Your comment, "... not sure why you want to do this." is untruthful and provocative. I would be grateful if you would please disregard this thread and permit others to help me if they choose to do so.

To other board members, I solicit your help and welcome your input.

[Ajlelectronics]

Intolerant? Me? Hardly.

However, I do have an issue with my wellbeing on the road. I can't fathom out why some riders dress in black and refuse to use lights or reflectives. Is some sort of fashion important enough to end up in hospital for? Car drivers already say "Didn't see the bike" as they kill or maim one of us, why give any more value to that?

'Nuff said from me, luckily we are unlikely to meet on the road. :)

[hp1bmw]

There is no reason that you can not do what you are inquiring about. I did this same thing on a 1987 LT that I owned. I just cut a switch inline with the wire that goes from the load shead relay to the starter. I wanted to be able to turn off my lights anytime I did some type of electrical or mechanical service on the bike and needed it running while the service was going on. It served me well for the 7 years that I owned that LT and I never forgot to turn the lights back on when I was riding.

[Randy]

I have an '08 LT and, for the first time since my '75 R75/6, I'm without a Euro switch to manage my lights. I've really become accustomed to that feature. Dealer confirms that a Euro switch is not avail after '05.

To accomplish light management, is it reasonable to think I can manage the Load Relief Relay K9120 with an additional switch/power supply?

Can I just put a switch in the control circuit to supply 12v to activate the load relief relay and keep the lights "off"; and conversely with the added switch not supplying power, permit the load relief relay to function normally?

How complex would this task be?

Is there some electrical reason I should not attempt to do this?

Is there some alternative solution to lighting control that makes more sense?The load shed relay controls Heated Grips
Position lights
Taillight
Low beam
High beam
Windshield adjust relays
Cruise control
Radio panel
Heated seats

It would seem to me a double pole switch or relay on the headlight wiring would be a better approach.

[jzeiler]

Can I just put a switch in the control circuit to supply 12v to activate the load relief relay and keep the lights "off"; and conversely with the added switch not supplying power, permit the load relief relay to function normally?

How complex would this task be?



Trying to get at the correct wire will be tough but you could do it.

An alternative if you are just worried about the head light is add a latching relay circuit tied to the high beam switch. This is what I did when I went to HID on the 05. Key on - no light- start - no light - hit the high beam momentarily now the headlight is on and stays on (I can turn it off with a quick push of the starter button). If you are interested I'll send you more info.

[relic]

Trying to get at the correct wire will be tough but you could do it.

An alternative if you are just worried about the head light is add a latching relay circuit tied to the high beam switch. This is what I did when I went to HID on the 05. Key on - no light- start - no light - hit the high beam momentarily now the headlight is on and stays on (I can turn it off with a quick push of the starter button). If you are interested I'll send you more info.

Thanks all for the responses.

I find that there is one small black wire between the Load Relief and the Starter relays in the electronic box (or so my schematic shows me) so Jim's solution to defeat the Load Relief relay is so very involved but do-able. I prolly should discard the thought to manage the Load Relief Relay in that manner.

Randy's headlight switch or switch/relay achieves my intent and would be soooo much easier.

I am intrigued by jzeiler's latching relay but am confused by "hit the starter" to turn off the headlights. Does that mean you can't turn off the lights while the engine is running?

How about using Phoenix switches to control relays; one switch/relay for running lights/side markers/dash lamps etc.,etc. and the second set for all the above plus headlights. This would accomplish the three modes of a Euro switch (none, markers/dash lamps/etc, and all available lights)of the with two Phoenix switches.

My question then would be....where is the best/easiest place to insert the relays to get this done.

Grateful for your help and patience.

[jzeiler]

I am intrigued by jzeiler's latching relay but am confused by "hit the starter" to turn off the headlights. Does that mean you can't turn off the lights while the engine is running?



No, you can press the starter with the engine running (a quick bump is all you need). The starter will spin freely as I have hit it several times thinking I was pressing the center stand switch and wondered why it wasn't working.

This is just a latching relay that is inserted in the headlight circuit. The load shed relay still functions as normal. A latching relay will "unlatch" if the current is interrupted. So with the engine running - if you press the starter the load shed relay will activate and you will "unlatch" the head light relay.

[relic]

Thanks John. I've sent a PM for some details. I appreciate your help.

[GBarnes]

Is there some alternative solution to lighting control that makes more sense?

When I added my HID conversion, I put a normally-closed relay in the low beam hot wire circuit. I controlled power to the relay with a mini-toggle switch, (mounted in my Phoenix switch, but it could go anywhere). This allowed me, when I wanted to, to turn the low beam off completely.

FYI: the reason I did this was that I aslo added a set of Hella fog lights, to be used as exactly that: fog lights. Having fog lights is kind of useless if you've got a big ol' bright HID low beam on as well.

GB

[UKTzero]

You demonstrated this same judgmental and intolerant attitude when I was trying to locate a Euro switch recently. I patiently and thoroughly explained my reasons and preferences for you then. Your comment, "... not sure why you want to do this." is untruthful and provocative. I would be grateful if you would please disregard this thread and permit others to help me if they choose to do so.



To other board members, I solicit your help and welcome your input.



Don't take it personally, I got the same intolerant and closed minded attitude from the same member when I inquired about other features that I thought would be good on the LT's that were on other bikes, including some newer BMW's (fuel cutoff valve and a fast idle lever) ... things that would only add functionality to the bike, but were majorly poo-poo'd like I was insane to even want something like that



Some of the people on here seem to get horribly offended when you suggest changing anything on the LT, even if it makes sense



For the record, I DO agree that the lights should be left on almost all the time ... like when you're riding it - in fact, I'm pretty sure it's the law everywhere in the US, and if it's not the law abroad, it should be



But of course, like many other options, having the option to have the headlight OFF while the bike is running or when the ignition is in the on position would come in very handy ... that's why they had the switch for so many years in the first place ... I'm guessing that there was some legal reason for them omitting it from the bike, or that one too many people left their lights off and went riding



I'm sure there's a way to get the same functionality of the old style euro switch that you're used to in your '08 with some creative, thoughtful and safe wiring, but I'm guessing that they removed or changed the handgrip so the place where the switch used to go isn't there anymore? - is that right?



Trying to get at the correct wire will be tough but you could do it.

An alternative if you are just worried about the head light is add a latching relay circuit tied to the high beam switch. This is what I did when I went to HID on the 05. Key on - no light- start - no light - hit the high beam momentarily now the headlight is on and stays on (I can turn it off with a quick push of the starter button). If you are interested I'll send you more info.

I'm really interested in how you did this switching ... it sounds like a great way to control your lighting without adding an extra switch and I've seen a similar modification on a GS Adventure that had a ton of extra lights and stuff, yet the owner didn't have a single extra switch on his handlebars ... it was all done using the method you described above with the starter button and the high-beam button, it was a really nice and clean set up - if you could, I'd love to know how you did this

[relic]

[QUOTE=UKTzero]
I'm sure there's a way to get the same functionality of the old style euro switch that you're used to in your '08 with some creative, thoughtful and safe wiring, but I'm guessing that they removed or changed the handgrip so the place where the switch used to go isn't there anymore? - is that right?

UTK...
You are correct. In '05, they placed the LT electric centerstand switch in the right handgrip location previously used for the Euro Switch.

I've also noticed that the late model RTs use that switch location for (IIRC) heated seat contols, or something. I've been looking for an RT right handgrip unit and if I find one, I'll wire my lights thru that switch and relocate the centerstand switch.

[mrbiker]

No, you can press the starter with the engine running (a quick bump is all you need). The starter will spin freely as I have hit it several times thinking I was pressing the center stand switch and wondered why it wasn't working.

This is just a latching relay that is inserted in the headlight circuit. The load shed relay still functions as normal. A latching relay will "unlatch" if the current is interrupted. So with the engine running - if you press the starter the load shed relay will activate and you will "unlatch" the head light relay.

Hey Mr. jzeiler - Can I get a copy of the how-to?????? :) :) :)

I'd like to do exactly this. I though of installing a switch to shut off the headlight while I'm working on it. I've been installing an Autocom system and it's taking a long time to get all the adjustments right. So the headlight stays on while I'm adjusting, and I eventually stop working on it for fear of draining the battery. This would be awesome.

And Mr. Ajlelectronics, I'd have to agree. You jumped to a conclusion without having all the facts. You may want to consider posting comments that directly relate to the thread (stay away from hijacking the thread) or chillin' for a day or two before jumping on the poor guy.

Yep, I, too, want to shut my headlight off - WHILE IT'S PARKED FOR SERVICE.

And who knows, maybe while working on it I'll wear black jeans, a black t-shirt, and black shoes. Jeez, I hope no one drives into my garage and hits me because they didn't see me - with the garage door closed!!! :rotf:

[mrbiker]

I see this posted in the HOW, what does it do?

BMW European Headlight Switch (Euro Switch) 61 31 7 650 742

Will it work on a 2005 (whatever it does)?

I've got flash to pass now, so I'm wondering what's different.

[jzeiler]

Hey Mr. jzeiler - Can I get a copy of the how-to?????? :) :) :)



I'll add a bit to it and post it in the "files" section this weekend.

[jzeiler]

As promised follow this link to the article on constructing a headlight latch relay:


Relay Circuit (http://www.bmwlt.com/files/displayimage.php?album=15&pos=7)

[SilverBuffalo]

I think the one of the reasons the manufactorers removed the headlight switching capabilities is that we tend to "forget"

There might be another way to accomplish what you want to do without adding a switch,

What I did when I installed my HID low beam is place the relay under the passenger seat
(for ease of access) at the same time I put an inline fuse that "peeks" out from under the rear seat,
this way when I want to work on the bike, I lift my seat, pull the fuse, no headlight.
But then again what do I know, my riding gear is black. :p