Piaa 1100x

[zippy_gg]

I bought a set of PIAA 1100X to mount under the cowl...
For those with this setup, where did you install/mount the on/off switch?
Also who slaved them to the low bean and aimed them low vs. slaved them with the hi beam and aimed them to light up far ahead.
I bought these lights to solve a specific problem: driving through canyons at night where neither the HID low beam nor the high beam (stock) would provide enough light to the sides in the canyons turns and forcing me to Slow down to a crawl. Not a pleasant feeling when there is a cage behind you trying to "push" you and there no room for them to pass...:eek:

[RaffyK]

Criss cross the lights slightly and aim them low so when you lean, the outside light will point to the inside an illuminate the side of the rioad better.

[zippy_gg]

Thank Raffy!
So I need to slave them to the LOW beam. What is the preferred location for the On/Of knowing I won't use it very often as I will keep the lights on for conspicuity?

[RaffyK]

Under the seat or under the left handlebar controls.

[docwagner]

I have mine set up separately, not slaved from either high or low beam. They are activated using an auto switch utilizing the turn signal cancel button. In this way I can turn them on or off anytime I want. I usually turn them on all the time. They are angled to provide supplemental light to my low beams. For high beams I have a pair of Hella Micro DE Xenons mouted under the mirrors. They are connected to my highbeam. So when I turn my high beam on you see five lights coming at you. This is probaly illegal in many states. Some states only allow motorcycles three lights on at a time. I guess I will duke that our with the authorities when the time comes. I may change this setup to slave my PIAA's to the low beam, but this work well for me. I am considering adding true fog lights under the highway pegs and if I do that I will definately have to change the PIAA's to low beam only mode(or maybe not).
http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=547&c=3&userid=7846
Hope this helps.

[George_LT]

My lights are slaved to the low beam. The switch is located on the other side of the cruise contol switches. My lights are focused to augment my high beam.

[Lzyellodog]

Mine were installed by the dealer and they wored them independant of the lights. I can turn them on and off with the switch which is mounted on the right hand handle bar just to the left of the engine cutoff switch. I can take a picture and post it tomorrow if you want. To be more specific, just to the eft of the center stand button where the cover for the handle bars endsthere is a small space that the button fits nicely. I was looking thru the gallery here and found that docwagner has the same button mounted in the same spot. If you go to the gallery and lookup dacwagner then look for the picture labeled full handle bar layout you can just make out the PIAA switch under his SAt radio.

[mneblett]

where did you install/mount the on/off switch?
Also who slaved them to the low bean and aimed them low vs. slaved them with the hi beam and aimed them to light up far ahead.Another alternative: use the factory "Phoenix switch" cluster on the right handlebar. And check your state laws -- I have my 1100X's slaved to the low beam, in part because it's required by VA.

As for aiming, I use mine to make a "triangle" of light to make me more visible, and not for additional illumination. Because the 1100X's have a very wide pattern, there's a lot of off-axis glare. Accordingly, I have them aimed *way* low.

[JATownsend]

Thank Raffy!
So I need to slave them to the LOW beam. What is the preferred location for the On/Of knowing I won't use it very often as I will keep the lights on for conspicuity?

Do not slave them to either light, as you want them to be independent.

I mounted the 'stock' switch next to the Computer Info window. It's an quick wiring job, out of the weather and easy to reach.

My PIAAs get used for night canyon carving and general daytime conspicuity - as you mentioned. I use them very little on the slab, in light traffic or on deserted back roads.

Also, if properly aimed as Raffy suggests, I have never been flashed - But at night with the HID low beam AND the PIAAs - the cages sure yield the road rather quickly.

[zippy_gg]

Thank you all as I gathered enough info to do my installation! ;)

[EzyMount]

Recommend you do not slave PIAA's to either high or low beam. Connect direct to battery (pos / neg), find switched ignition tap for PIAA switch, i.e. parking lamp inside headlamp assy and mount switch to handlebar clutch or brake lever assy housing for easy reach/control... Turn on/off as you need them....

[KayGee]

Recommend you do not slave PIAA's to either high or low beam. Connect direct to battery (pos / neg), find switched ignition tap for PIAA switch, i.e. parking lamp inside headlamp assy and mount switch to handlebar clutch or brake lever assy housing for easy reach/control... Turn on/off as you need them....

Please explain why you would recommend not to slave to either high or low beam.

[Tallyho]

One reason might be that they burn out after awhile and you may want to vary when you really need them on. Mine lasted about 10K miles while on most of the time before the bulbs burned out within about a week of each other. $45 each to replace. I use them for the triangle view from the front as I have not found them to be particularly effective for distance illumination. They function more as fog lights. I have them on an auto switch that uses the signal cancel button. Adding HID and then HH50s under the mirrors slaved to the high beam provided the "grand" canyon illumination I was seeking.

[EzyMount]

Please explain why you would recommend not to slave to either high or low beam.

On/Off Cycles affects bulb life. Even PIAA recommends independant switching of lights, with direct connections to Battery +/-....

[Bortmess]

You probably have it done already but I put the switch in the "glove compartment" this way its locked and I don't have to worry about my kids or someone accidently turning on the lights and draining the battery.

[EzyMount]

:D Just a note: Slaving your aux light control circuit to a circuit that shuts down every time you start your engine will decrease the life of your bulbs.

i.e.....

key to on = lights on,
key to start = lights off,
engine start = lights back on..

this is one additional on/off cycle every time you start your bikes engine !

It doesn't take that much effort to hit the light switch button to turn on your lights after you start your engine; and if you have connected your switch to an 'ignition sense source', then you don't have to worry about leaving your lights on, or someone else turning them on when you are away from the bike...

Just some food for thought....

[BLBantz]

I am about to mount PIAAs also. In addition to the lights allowing me to see better and letting cagers see me better, I want them in case my main headlight goes out. It they are slaved to the low beam and the fuse blows, the PIAAs wll go out too.

[meese]

Uh Brian, there is no low beam fuse.

[BLBantz]

I'm not an electrician, but you get the point. I don't want both lights dependent on the same power source, wires, fuse, whatever.

[meese]

I'm not an electrician, but you get the point. I don't want both lights dependent on the same power source, wires, fuse, whatever.
Agreed. I did have my HID go out on a long ride once, and had to aim the high beam low and use it full time. Turns out it was a bad contact at the HID relay, but at least I was able to ride to a safe and comfortable place to diagnose that.