Headlight Switch

[Tman]

Ok, so I have several reasons for wanting to turn off my headlights when knocking around on the farm and back trails. After downloading and looking at the wiring diagrams which Fun4me so kindly provided, I've come to the conclusion that it takes TWO switches to totally turn off the lights. When you turn on the ignition switch, a "ring" of light around the outside of the headlight illuminates and then when you start the engine, the high/low beams turn on while the outside ring remains on. Looking at the diagram it shows 3 circuits: one for High beam, one for Low beam, and one for "PO" which I assume means Power On or something like that and is probably the LED for the "ring"but I may be wrong about that. So . . . it looks like I could insert a switch in the White/Black wire leading from the Dimmer Switch which would control the High/Low circuits but I would also have to insert a switch in the Black wire (just before the headlight connector which would control the "PO" LED. I had already purchased a waterproof-handlebar-mount rocker switch for this purpose but now it looks like I either need a DPST (double pole single throw) switch which I think will be impossible to find in the configuration I need (waterproof, handle-bar mount) or a DPDT (double pole double throw) and not use one side of the switch OR two SPST (single pole single throw) switches.

So have I missed something or have I read this all wrong? Please let me know what you think.
Regards,
Glenn

 

[m in sc]

switch the ground on both circuits with one single pole switch, does same thing as 2 will on the hot side. it 'should' work but the half wave system these things use can get weird. or, one switch and a relay can control both. but, pretty sure switching the ground on both circuits simultaneously with one switch will achieve the result you want.

 

[Shoot870p]

I don’t even have one of these (yet) but I really like the guidance and experience that is on here.
thanks to y’all that offer up the info.
shoot870p

 

[Tman]

switch the ground on both circuits with one single pole switch, does same thing as 2 will on the hot side. it 'should' work but the half wave system these things use can get weird. or, one switch and a relay can control both. but, pretty sure switching the ground on both circuits simultaneously with one switch will achieve the result you want.

Thanks for your input on this. Based on my (probably inept) interpretation of the diagram, there is not a common ground between circuits (separate for the "PO" and the "Hi/Lo" circuits). However, I really like your suggestion for a relay -- hadn't thought of that and will possibly go that route. I have a good friend who is a whiz at this sort of thing (he wires police and fire department vehicles) and I will wait to hear what he says. If I find out anything useful to this forum, I will definitely post it. Regards.

 

[m in sc]

truth of the matter is, they both ground. so therefore you can link them to the switch, which then will ground both simultaneously. that was my point and is the simplest way to do it. just .02.

 

[Tman]

Yeah, I hear what you're saying and under what I consider normal circumstances I would agree with you. However, I don't know if you've actually looked at the diagram or not but the "Hi/Lo" circuits don't go to a frame/chassis ground the way that the Halo/"PO" circuit does. Instead, what looks to be a ground wire goes directly to the Regulator/Rectifier and (I think) gets its ground through that device. Now I have to ask myself, "why would they do that unless there is something else going on logically with those circuits?" i.e. something I don't know about and don't understand.

 

[m in sc]

half wave system like i said... but still has to ground. either way, the relay will solve it regardless.

 

[ChiefPockets]

I know I'm a bit late here... Combining grounds should be fine, but if you're worried that won't work there's a simpler solution than a relay – use a DPST switch (link) such as this one (link). One circuit for the halo, one for the headlight.

 

[Tman]

I know I'm a bit late here... Combining grounds should be fine, but if you're worried that won't work there's a simpler solution than a relay – use a DPST switch (link) such as this one (link). One circuit for the halo, one for the headlight.

Thanks. Yes, that's what I said in my original post but I didn't have any luck finding a waterproof DPST switch which you just pointed out for me so again thanks.

 

[ChiefPockets]

that's what I said in my original post

I'm sorry, I don't know how I missed that!

Another two waterproof options. Adding "marine" to my search helped more than "waterproof".

https://smile.amazon.com/warranty-Latching-Waterproof-Stainless-Self-locking/dp/B07Q65BMGS

Double sealed Waterproof Rocker 12V Toggle Switch DPST Marine Socket Round IP66 #swblk4b

Double sealed UV waterproof DPST Double Pole Double Throw Dual on/off black switch for extreme environments, briefly submersible. #swblk4b Allow you to control two circuits or two loads. On- OFF Full front cover bellows seal with secondary bezel seal that protects the switch from water and dust...

12vtechnology.com

If you're looking for ideas to mount it... as long as you have a drill and/or a dremel you can make a hole for it in any panel. Then you have tons of options for mounting a small panel to your handlebars.
Repurposed aux light mount: https://smile.amazon.com/LAMPHUS-Off-Road-Horizontal-Mounting-Aluminum/dp/B0791NB4FM
Repurposed mirror mount: https://smile.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Handlebar-Mirror-Adaptor-Scooter/dp/B07NSKJNPH
Repurposed camera mount (remove the ball-and-socket): https://smile.amazon.com/Aluminum-Motorcycle-Rearview-Mirror-Cameras/dp/B081ST38PL
Repurposed heated grip controller mount (attaches via mirror/lever handlebar clamp bolts): https://lockitt.com/Heaterz-Controller-Bracket.html

 

[Tman]

I'm sorry, I don't know how I missed that!

Another two waterproof options. Adding "marine" to my search helped more than "waterproof".

https://smile.amazon.com/warranty-Latching-Waterproof-Stainless-Self-locking/dp/B07Q65BMGS

Double sealed Waterproof Rocker 12V Toggle Switch DPST Marine Socket Round IP66 #swblk4b

Double sealed UV waterproof DPST Double Pole Double Throw Dual on/off black switch for extreme environments, briefly submersible. #swblk4b Allow you to control two circuits or two loads. On- OFF Full front cover bellows seal with secondary bezel seal that protects the switch from water and dust...

12vtechnology.com

If you're looking for ideas to mount it... as long as you have a drill and/or a dremel you can make a hole for it in any panel. Then you have tons of options for mounting a small panel to your handlebars.
Repurposed aux light mount: https://smile.amazon.com/LAMPHUS-Off-Road-Horizontal-Mounting-Aluminum/dp/B0791NB4FM
Repurposed mirror mount: https://smile.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Handlebar-Mirror-Adaptor-Scooter/dp/B07NSKJNPH
Repurposed camera mount (remove the ball-and-socket): https://smile.amazon.com/Aluminum-Motorcycle-Rearview-Mirror-Cameras/dp/B081ST38PL
Repurposed heated grip controller mount (attaches via mirror/lever handlebar clamp bolts): https://lockitt.com/Heaterz-Controller-Bracket.html

Thanks, all good suggestions. I've been thinking along similar lines but your tip on the marine search yielded exactly what I was looking for. Should be easy to adapt to a handlebar clamp I already own.