head light

[js198027]

What kind of voltage should i have to the white wire going to the head light relay? My head light doesnt work unless I jump the r/y and the blu/black. I removed the diode from the white wire not sure if that will affect anything. I have tried several different relays and none of them work. You should just have to turn the bike over to turn the light on right? or does it acctualy have to be running?

[skids]

Here is a snippit from one of my techtips:

Headlight relay for the 79, 80, 81 xs11 (easy method, but does not switch off runners)

The stock latching relay is simply a electrically operated switch that opens or closes the higher amp circuit with an electromagnet (sort of). Here are my notes for hooking up a toggle switch to the new relay. First, the stock wire bundle to the old relay has the following:

1. Red/yellow = the positive input

2. Blue/Black = the positive output that the relay switches

3. Yellow (or white) = the lead from the alternator to operate the old relay

4. Black = the ground to operate the old relay

To address your question, I don't know what the voltage from the alternator is, but I think that as soon as the alternator starts spinning, the relay is latched. (unless the diode is shot)


I think the volts are the same as what goes into the VR from the white wires, not sure.

[boyat68]

See: 3phase's fix at: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthre<b...ht=Relay+Diode

The R/Y wire runs from one side of the headlight fuse to the headlight switch, and the other side of the headlight switch is connected to the L/B (Blue/Black) that comes out of the Reserved Lightning Unit (RLU) That diode that you removed probably converts AC current to DC current to operate the relay.

What it looks like you have done is jumper across your headlight switch.

The headlight only comes on when the bike is started if you have standard lighting.

[js198027]

my bike is an 80 special if that makes a difference. so then I need that diode? what kind of voltage should i have on the white wire? where can I get a diode i removed it because one of the wires was broke off?

[3Phase]

On your bike you do need the diode for the headlight automatic-on-after-engine-start feature to work. I don't remember the voltage on the white wire. I think it's 7 to 9 volts; depends on the engine RPM.

You can bypass the headlight relay http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...&threadid=9650 or you can replace the diode.

I used a 1N4007 clone from Radio Shack.

Install the diode with the cathode (white band) pointing forward, toward the headlight relay at the front of the bike, and the anode pointing back toward the Regulator/Rectifier.


Regards,

Scott