Cheap Fog Lights -- Molten Lava Hot!

[UT R1150R]

Ok, so I went against my better judgement and bought some cheap fog lights. $20 at Wallymart.

The kit came with 2 lights (55 watts), wiring harness and switch. There was no relay, fuse, or any mention of using a fuse.

Sounds simple enough.

Well, before going to the trouble of mounting the lights and running the wires, etc. I tested one light to see how it performed. I connected the + wire to the + pole on the battery and I held the ground wire to a bolt on the frame. I held the ground wire's male metal connector to the bolt with my fingers.

Results

1) The light is not bright at all! I thought that maybe this is one of those situations where you get what you pay for .

2) The metal connector (the ground) became molten lava hot! I had to let go really fast before burning my finger to a crisp. I didn't get a chance (didn't dare) to see if the + connector was also hot.

Anyone have any idea what's going on? For sure I won't use these lights unless I figure this out. I can barely handle installing lights, let alone replacing everything else that burns when these lights catch fire.

I've never installed lights before so I was hoping this isn't normal.

The couple times I went to physics class makes me think that there is too much resistance in the circuit. From where, I don't know and I'm not sure how to track that one down if it is the case.

Please let me know what you all think.

Thanks!

[Doug]

Try it again with a more solid connection. If it was just a small bridge to the ground, that can heat up on ya. Make sure you are going bare metal to bare metal for a good ground.

[UT R1150R]

Thanks! I'll give that a shot

[rdsmith3]

but please use a fuse, for the protection of you and the bike

[priapismic]

I've been using my Wally World fog lights for a year and a half (cost me $15.), with a "Doodad switch" (available from Aerostich) mounted on the handlebars to turn them on & off, with no problems. One bulb recently burned out, so I replaced it with a 55w bulb also from W-M. The bullet connectors were different, so I used a crimp connector in-line.

True, they don't give off much light, but then, they are fog lights, not driving lights, they're not supposed to put out that much light. But, Oh My! how other drivers notice me.

Here's how they look in daylight - sorry I don't have any nighttime picts, maybe if I can remember tonight I'll post something tomorrow.

[scottybooj]

priaprismic, is that a Givi fairing with a laminar lip?

sorry for the thread hijack.

[priapismic]

priaprismic, is that a Givi fairing with a laminar lip?

sorry for the thread hijack.

Yep, Scotty, that what it is. I've posted a bunch of picts of it before, just recently in a windshield thread. Wanna see 'em again? Sorry for the continuation of the thread hijack ...

[Kazushi]

Where did you attach the light mounts ???

I've been using my Wally World fog lights for a year and a half (cost me $15.), with a "Doodad switch" (available from Aerostich) mounted on the handlebars to turn them on & off, with no problems. One bulb recently burned out, so I replaced it with a 55w bulb also from W-M. The bullet connectors were different, so I used a crimp connector in-line.

True, they don't give off much light, but then, they are fog lights, not driving lights, they're not supposed to put out that much light. But, Oh My! how other drivers notice me.

Here's how they look in daylight - sorry I don't have any nighttime picts, maybe if I can remember tonight I'll post something tomorrow.

[priapismic]

Where did you attach the light mounts ???

Drill 2 small pilot holes in the bottom of each oil cooler. If you're careful, using a handheld drill, there should be no reason to remove the oil coolers. Using the screws that came with the light kit, attach the light mounting brackets to the underside of the oil cooler. Attach the lights to the mounting bracket.