PIAA installation question

jblove · 08-06-2003, 05:50 PM

I'm getting ready to install my PIAA 520's, but have a couple of questions regarding wiring. First, where did you (who have PIAA 520's) mount the large relay? Second, what wire did you tap into for power (obviously NOT the turn-signal wire). Any input to ease the installation would be greatly appreciated.

Kaumajet · 08-06-2003, 06:17 PM

I Velcro the relay on the top of the air filter cover.

For power:

- The main lead with the crimped connector goes directly to the positive battery terminal (you knew that).

- The switch lead depends on how you want to use your lamps.

If you only want to use them with your high beam, then tap into the high beam wire. There are two places you can get this power - either from the big connector under the tank (which wire depends on which year, but you can find it with a meter or test light) OR from the white wire leading to the high beam bulb. Do not tap into the brown wire, as it leads to ground, and if your high beam bulb burns out, you'll lose the use of your PIAAs. With this set-up, drawing switch power from the high beam, the PIAA switch arms the lights, and the high beam switch turns everything on and off.

If you want to run them independently, tap into any circuit that is live when the key is on. Again, several ways to do this, either tap into the low beam headlight wire, or to any upstream side of any fuse that's powered with the key.

ltlvr · 08-06-2003, 07:41 PM

Brad, on a different thread I asked about installing 520 AND 540 on the same terranova bar. I 'm still not clear as to whether there is enough clearance to do this on an '04 Adventurer. Thanks

Kaumajet · 08-07-2003, 05:05 AM

I don't think there'd be room on the bottom, but you could probably get the 540s on top. You would have to move the turn signals for sure, if you went that route. Let me do some measuring when I get back tonight.

BV

Kaumajet · 08-07-2003, 05:10 AM

jblove: An option I didn't mention in the first post (wine / late/ etc) was the three-position switch (single pole double throw, center off).

That way, you could tap one lead from your high beam, and one from the low beam, and your switch position would dictate from where your lights would get power. Example, if the switch were in the 'up' position, the lights would be switched with the high beam, the center is off, and the 'lower' position would have them on with low beam.

jblove · 08-07-2003, 04:28 PM

Thanks for the input, especially to Brad. Mounted the lights today no problems. I mounted the relay to the bolt where the horn normally is attached. Then made a short bracket out of aluminum to move the horn below the relay on the same bolt. As far as the "on-off" switch, I mounted it via velcro to the rear side of my left hand guard. All I need to do to activate my 520's is raise my index finger up and give it a tap, all while my hand stays on the grip.

Again, thanks for the input guys!

Ride safe!

Kaumajet · 08-08-2003, 05:43 AM

Glad it worked out for you - you'll love the lights.

ltlvr - I've posted a picture in the thread you started in 'Equipment'

jblove · 08-20-2003, 06:10 PM

I changed the location of the relay. Moved it back just behind the battery and used velcro to secure it. Less chance for water (rain, etc.) to get to it there. Moved horn back to original position.

08-06-2003, 05:50 PM	#1
jblove ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Noblesville, Indiana Oddometer: 88	PIAA installation question I'm getting ready to install my PIAA 520's, but have a couple of questions regarding wiring. First, where did you (who have PIAA 520's) mount the large relay? Second, what wire did you tap into for power (obviously NOT the turn-signal wire). Any input to ease the installation would be greatly appreciated.

08-06-2003, 06:17 PM	#2
Kaumajet H.I.D. Positive Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Ottawa Oddometer: 10,137	I Velcro the relay on the top of the air filter cover. For power: - The main lead with the crimped connector goes directly to the positive battery terminal (you knew that). - The switch lead depends on how you want to use your lamps. If you only want to use them with your high beam, then tap into the high beam wire. There are two places you can get this power - either from the big connector under the tank (which wire depends on which year, but you can find it with a meter or test light) OR from the white wire leading to the high beam bulb. Do not tap into the brown wire, as it leads to ground, and if your high beam bulb burns out, you'll lose the use of your PIAAs. With this set-up, drawing switch power from the high beam, the PIAA switch arms the lights, and the high beam switch turns everything on and off. If you want to run them independently, tap into any circuit that is live when the key is on. Again, several ways to do this, either tap into the low beam headlight wire, or to any upstream side of any fuse that's powered with the key. __________________ *"I understand the dilemma. Correct spelling takes time that could be spent licking the windows on the short bus."* mac62 *"There is just something special about a stripper with a tail"* ilmostro

08-06-2003, 07:41 PM	#3
ltlvr Adventurer Joined: Aug 2003 Location: Greensboro, NC Oddometer: 56	PIAA lights Brad, on a different thread I asked about installing 520 AND 540 on the same terranova bar. I 'm still not clear as to whether there is enough clearance to do this on an '04 Adventurer. Thanks

08-07-2003, 05:05 AM	#4
Kaumajet H.I.D. Positive Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Ottawa Oddometer: 10,137	I don't think there'd be room on the bottom, but you could probably get the 540s on top. You would have to move the turn signals for sure, if you went that route. Let me do some measuring when I get back tonight. BV __________________ *"I understand the dilemma. Correct spelling takes time that could be spent licking the windows on the short bus."* mac62 *"There is just something special about a stripper with a tail"* ilmostro

08-07-2003, 05:10 AM	#5
Kaumajet H.I.D. Positive Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Ottawa Oddometer: 10,137	jblove: An option I didn't mention in the first post (wine / late/ etc) was the three-position switch (single pole double throw, center off). That way, you could tap one lead from your high beam, and one from the low beam, and your switch position would dictate from where your lights would get power. Example, if the switch were in the 'up' position, the lights would be switched with the high beam, the center is off, and the 'lower' position would have them on with low beam. __________________ *"I understand the dilemma. Correct spelling takes time that could be spent licking the windows on the short bus."* mac62 *"There is just something special about a stripper with a tail"* ilmostro

08-07-2003, 04:28 PM	#6
jblove ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Noblesville, Indiana Oddometer: 88	Thanks for the input, especially to Brad. Mounted the lights today no problems. I mounted the relay to the bolt where the horn normally is attached. Then made a short bracket out of aluminum to move the horn below the relay on the same bolt. As far as the "on-off" switch, I mounted it via velcro to the rear side of my left hand guard. All I need to do to activate my 520's is raise my index finger up and give it a tap, all while my hand stays on the grip. Again, thanks for the input guys! Ride safe!

08-08-2003, 05:43 AM	#7
Kaumajet H.I.D. Positive Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Ottawa Oddometer: 10,137	Glad it worked out for you - you'll love the lights. ltlvr - I've posted a picture in the thread you started in 'Equipment' __________________ *"I understand the dilemma. Correct spelling takes time that could be spent licking the windows on the short bus."* mac62 *"There is just something special about a stripper with a tail"* ilmostro

08-20-2003, 06:10 PM	#8
jblove ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Noblesville, Indiana Oddometer: 88	I changed the location of the relay. Moved it back just behind the battery and used velcro to secure it. Less chance for water (rain, etc.) to get to it there. Moved horn back to original position.

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