Saddlebag Dome Lights

3993 Views 33 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Gizmo, Oct 30, 2014

El Diablo

Discussion Starter · Oct 27, 2014

DIY dome lights- how I did it;

1. Buy lights on eBay. (I got quite a few and could make some more if interested)

Electronic instrument Metal

2. Wire the lights to a toggle switch, and mount the switch to your rider's backrest mount.

3. Find an always hot or a switched power source and attach a wire for power to it.

Auto part Wire Electrical wiring Suspension Automotive engine part

4. Find somewhere to mount the light.

Electrical wiring Wire Electronics Auto part Light

Automotive exterior Vehicle door Bumper Car Vehicle

Light Sky Night Lighting Automotive lighting

^^^^^the only angle it's visible^^^^^^

After making the switch mount I tried my seat on. It made putting the seat on a touch more tedious but it works fine yet and rather easily.

I put the light up under the seat so it's barely visible.

My only complaint is that I have to use my hand to reflect the light down into the bags. Wearing reflective clothing or lighter colored clothes would do the same thing.

This shows how accessible the switch is.

Jacket Zipper Outerwear Hand Coat

I have fairly large hands and this is my hand flipping the switch.

Finger Foot Leg Hand Joint

And my miniature handed girlfriend.

Hand Finger Trousers Comfort Leather

I'm 75% satisfied. If I could get a little better light reflection into the bags without using my hands as the reflector I'd be very happy.

Whatcha think? Any good?

See less See more

9

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

Silverback

· #2 · Oct 27, 2014

Why not mount the light strip inside the bag with a 2 wire disconnect plug like the battery tender plug?

--

Miles Tequillya

· #3 · Oct 27, 2014

Looks good...

Sent from Motorcycle.com App

El Diablo

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 27, 2014

Silverback said:
Why not mount the light strip inside the bag with a 2 wire disconnect plug like the battery tender plug?

--

The idea crossed my mind multiple times but I am not liking the thought of putting electric in my bags. I stuff the ever living bejeezums out of them when I pack leathers. I'd end up ripping the 3m tape or wires off of wherever I have them stuck. For the 10 times a year that I won't have ambient lighting for the bags I think I'll be happy. For the other 200 times I go in my bags I don't want to fuss with the light.

AndyG

· #5 · Oct 27, 2014

Kuryakyn makes a sticky light that's battery operated. Probably what I would have went with. But, I hate wiring anything.

El Diablo

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 27, 2014

AndyG said:
Kuryakyn makes a sticky light that's battery operated. Probably what I would have went with. But, I hate wiring anything.

I hate batteries. And this box of lights that have infinite uses was $30. I haven't counted but I got close to 80 lights.

2stangs8689

· #7 · Oct 27, 2014

I would put some kind of fuse inline, the last thing you want is a unprotected "hot" circuit. Also, use some shrink tube around your crimped ends, in case that end comes off and make contact with your frame/metal.

NELS

· #8 · Oct 27, 2014

Minature lED battery operated would be my choice.

2stangs8689

· #9 · Oct 27, 2014

NELS said:
Minature lED battery operated would be my choice.

He wants to illuminate the bags, not blow them up. :laugh

El Diablo

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 27, 2014

2stangs8689 said:
I would put some kind of fuse inline, the last thing you want is a unprotected "hot" circuit. Also, use some shrink tube around your crimped ends, in case that end comes off and make contact with your frame/metal.

Yup an inline fuse is going on ASAP. A little more research tells me that this wire is direct to the battery.

I'll also be adding the heat shrink. It'll a make it look cleaner too. Those blue connectors stick out like a sore thumb.

Thank you, Sir.

El Diablo

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 27, 2014

NELS said:
Minature lED battery operated would be my choice.

Two posts ago I told AndyG how much I hated batteries...... Thanks for the help.

AndyG

· #12 · Oct 27, 2014

Should have went with battery ones.

El Diablo

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 27, 2014

AndyG said:
Should have went with battery ones.

You should've kept your LED headlight. :moonBart

Silverback

· #14 · Oct 27, 2014

forty2366 said:
You should've kept your LED headlight. :moonBart

AndyG said:
Should have went with battery ones.

Nahnie nahnie boo boo

--

easydistracted

· #15 · Oct 27, 2014

This is a copy of what I just recently purchased on Ebay. This little LED light really works nicely, and it is very bright at night, on my trunk. I added it to my lid on the top forward side. I winner for me, and very inexpensive........
This one came with 2 extra batteries, and they are very easy to obtain anyway.........
Scroll down once you check out the site.
Roto 360 Universal LED Light Harley Saddlebags Tour Pack Free Extra Batteries | eBay

glust

· #16 · Oct 27, 2014

forty2366 said:
The idea crossed my mind multiple times but I am not liking the thought of putting electric in my bags. I stuff the ever living bejeezums out of them when I pack leathers. I'd end up ripping the 3m tape or wires off of wherever I have them stuck. For the 10 times a year that I won't have ambient lighting for the bags I think I'll be happy. For the other 200 times I go in my bags I don't want to fuss with the light.

Great project. Looks pretty well thought out. In my tourpak I have one of those AS SEEN ON TV switch on lights. It is about 2" in diameter, LED, and push on, push off. You can pull it off to change the batteries. With the lid up it lights most of the oarea around the tour pak.

Gravel Gretzky

· #17 · Oct 27, 2014

Looks good Forty.
I have 1 suggestion to add and 1 trade secret. Suggestion, a switched circuit may be better so you don't kill your battery if you forget to turn them off or accidently turn them on when installing your back rest.
The trade secret to dealing with the ends on ty-wraps/ zip ties is to twist them off. That way you don't cut yourself on the piece left over. Ask me how I know and I'll show you the scars to prove it. Most of my scars are from dealing with straps installed by others. I've been an electrician for 26 + years, last 5 in Construction management.

AndyG

· #18 · Oct 27, 2014

forty2366 said:
You should've kept your LED headlight. :moonBart

So I could see less than I can now?

El Diablo

Discussion Starter · #19 · Oct 27, 2014

oldredog77 said:
Looks good Forty.

I have 1 suggestion to add and 1 trade secret. Suggestion, a switched circuit may be better so you don't kill your battery if you forget to turn them off or accidently turn them on when installing your back rest.

The trade secret to dealing with the ends on ty-wraps/ zip ties is to twist them off. That way you don't cut yourself on the piece left over. Ask me how I know and I'll show you the scars to prove it. Most of my scars are from dealing with straps installed by others. I've been an electrician for 26 + years, last 5 in Construction management.

Thanks for the tips.

1. These things are so bright it'll be pretty tough to walk away with them still on. It's like a pair of headlights sticking out the side of the seat. I would've used the acc switch plug right next to the one I used but I have other plans for that switch.

2. Good tip. I have tried it and can't get the knack of getting them to tear. They always seem to be just as sharp as a cut tie.

Silverback

· #20 · Oct 27, 2014

When I use zip ties in an exposed location I always slice off the tails very close with a razor. A couple of extra seconds helps keep your blood inside, where it belongs.

-

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.