Driving Light Relay

[Kelvin]

My COVID project #2: install the driving lights that have been in a box for a year.

My bike is European spec and has no headlight relay. I’ve run a 55/100W headlight bulb for 20 years not realising that all that current goes through the handlebar switch, but I’ve never had a problem.

The new driving lights are 10W each, so 20W. That should draw 20/12=1.7Amp. So, I should be able to power these off the high beam terminal in the special equipment connector. I have a rig with a switch and a 3A fuse. And, I’ll cut the headlight bulb back to the standard 55/65W.

Does anyone see a problem with this? It seems straightforward, but normal practise is to use a relay when you install driving lights, so I’m a bit uncertain.

Thanks in advance.

[skippyc]

Power wise i wouldn't have a problem with it.

[mrclubike]

Even though the USA spec bikes have a head light relay all the current still goes through the head light switch
The relay only breaks the circuit during starting
Personally I think it is safer to run the head light through a load shedding relay that is controlled by the handle bar switch
I would elaborate more if I was on the computer instead of my phone
Mrclubike 

[dogshome]

If they are the LED type, they don't draw as much as that. Chinese Sales "20W (USD)" means 10W (GBP) but actually very bright and useful.

https://www.bmwr65.org/YaBB2.612/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1572979773/10#10

[Bob_Roller]

I've gone to additional relays for headlight and driving light use .
Not difficult to do at all .
Less costly  for the relay and wiring than it is for a replacement head light switch assembly !!

[georgesgiralt]

I've gone to additional relays for headlight and driving light use .
Not difficult to do at all .
Less costly  for the relay and wiring than it is for a replacement head light switch assembly !!

And they are made from unobtainim these days ... So beware !