Always powered source in the small trunk area???

[JaysGone]

Today I attempted to add some side marking red LED lighting to the sides of the rear upper trunk area.
I was unsuccessful at finding an always when bike is running power source.
Let alone a real negative ground in the small trunk.
The only available harness I could get at easily was for the rear spoiler brake light.
In there is also wiring for a relay of sorts that seems to be for the trunk locking mechanism.
With maybe a pink/white powered wire, not really sure as I cant really read the wiring diagrams in the manual, electrical work is my Achilles heel.
I was unsuccessful at removing one of the rear brake light assemblies also in the small trunk area.
I figured that would be easy enough and go direct to that lighting source.
But that appears to run inside and under the MT kit itself :gah:

What is the secret with finding power sources with this plastic bike guys???:Shrug:

 

[Woolie]

I connected LED's to the left tail light wires, positive and negative, and didn't have any trouble getting the tail light out. Loosen the nuts inside the box and the light should pull out the back just like on a car. There wasn't a lot of slack there but enough to make the connection. I solder tapped onto the tail light wire. I drilled a small hole for the wires to go inside the trunk and connected it with a plug for a quick disconnect inside the trunk. I included a wiring diagram if you are interested. The LED's are on when the tail lights are on if the LED switch is on and the battery is charged when the battery switch is on and the tail lights are on. The diode keeps the tail lights from burning when using the LED's while searching for items in the trunk at night. The small battery will power the LED's for about 12 hours and I charge it about 30 minutes or an hour while driving by turning the battery switch on depending on how much I use the battery (unloading). I haven't charged it in about 3 months and they are still plenty brite, and if I happen to forget and leave the light on it does not affect the trike battery. The LED switch selects the outside or inside LED's (or off) but both inside and outside can not be on at the same time. The switches are at the back of the trunk so I can turn them off and on from the trunk. Normally the outside LED's are on while riding.
View attachment 8434

 

[JaysGone]

All I can say is on my bike which is a 2010.
The tail light fixtures do not have a plug on the inside of the upper trunk for a bulb.
That would have been too easy and not have me make this post.
I removed 2 nuts and 3 screws from the inside of the fixture in the trunk and it would not pull out from the trunk body.
The harness appears to be in the small post between the upper and lower trunks. Nothing accessible.
Mine are nothing like an automotive fixture.
This is why Im perplexed.

Edit: Ok I found a diagram of the upper trunk rear brake light fixture.
Looks like I missed a 3rd cap nut.
Il look again tomorrow.
But it still doesn't get me inside the trunk where Id want to be.
Im trying to do this without having to drill any holes.
That may not be possible.

 

[SMSgt]

All I can say is on my bike which is a 2010.
The tail light fixtures do not have a plug on the inside of the upper trunk for a bulb.
That would have been too easy and not have me make this post.
I removed 2 nuts and 3 screws from the inside of the fixture in the trunk and it would not pull out from the trunk body.
The harness appears to be in the small post between the upper and lower trunks. Nothing accessible.
Mine are nothing like an automotive fixture.
This is why Im perplexed.

Edit: Ok I found a diagram of the upper trunk rear brake light fixture.
Looks like I missed a 3rd cap nut.
Il look again tomorrow.
But it still doesn't get me inside the trunk where Id want to be.
Im trying to do this without having to drill any holes.
That may not be possible.

You need to remove 3 nuts from the forward side of the tail light housing. I will come out rather easily however you will have a hard time getting much stretch in the wire harness:gah:. But like has already been said there is enough to work with.

In the bottom of the tail light opening in the trunk there is a tube that leads down through the trunk that can be removed and make the tail light sockets more accessible, in the future, without taking the tail light housing out. You'll be able to remove just the light bulb sockets from the tail light housing and do what ever you will need to do.

That being said if you remove the bottom of the tail light opening, you'll see it with the tube going down through the floor of the trunk, you will have a much easier time doing what you want to do and you won't need to drill any holes.

Good luck
Kent

 

[JaysGone]

I got it I missed the 3rd nut.
My bad.
Very hard for me to work in a 98 degree garage.
What used to be easy gets me pretty flustered these days.:xzqxz:
I went back in last night and got it done when it cooled down a bit.
I still have to say this GW is one of, if not the hardest bike Ive ever owned to do anything on.

 

[hbrogan57]

I would agree. Getting things done IS a bit of a pain in the ass. It's not hard...but time consuming and NOT a lot of fun on a hot day.

All of my upper lights around the upper trunk are wired into my turn signal wires. I used the clip-in type connectors in case I decide to move them. As said in other posts there isn't a LOT of give in the wires but it's enough. Just use the power and ground wires that are already running and you shouldn't have to worry about searching for a ground.

I got it I missed the 3rd nut.
My bad.
Very hard for me to work in a 98 degree garage.
What used to be easy gets me pretty flustered these days.:xzqxz:
I went back in last night and got it done when it cooled down a bit.
I still have to say this GW is one of, if not the hardest bike Ive ever owned to do anything on.

 

[JaysGone]

I missed the nut on the inner side near the trunk wall.
Just too hot for me on Saturday.
Took me less then a half hour sat night.
Anyway got the fixtures out and just stripped enough wire to do the job.
Split the harness wires on the left side and soldered them.
On the right side I just ran the wire about 24 or 28 gauge as it is, right across the harness pins and pushed the plugs back in.
Not the greatest looking set of LEDs. But they will do the job when and if I ever do get to ride at night for now.
No holes, nothing permanent to them. No wire showing.
I used red, thinking maybe I should have used yellow?? :Shrug:
I don't know if it matters here actually.
Id post a pic but Photo Bucket is pmsing on me, besides as I said not to pretty a set of lights a 24 inch long black band.......looks bad to me.

 

[JaysGone]

Again I screwed up.
Riding to work I figured at the 1st light Id take a peek at my new lighting.
Well when I turned around NUTTIN:gah:
Let go of the hand brake and darned if they didn't go on.....:xzqxz:

Lights are on while riding go off when applying the brakes???
Get home rewire the deally now its all good.
Photo Bucket even worked.
So here are 2 pics of my trike lit up like a Xmas tree.....

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Can you post pictures of it at night ? ThumbUp

 

[hbrogan57]

:Agree::Agree::Agree:

Night shots please.....​

Can you post pictures of it at night ? ThumbUp

 

[JaysGone]

Ill post some picks tomorrow night saw this too late.
Already in my jammies....................yah sure I am.ThumbUp

 

[JaysGone]

Ill post some picks tomorrow night saw this too late.
Already in my jammies....................yah sure I am.ThumbUp

Looks like I need more.
Maybe some yellow in the running boards?? Or maybe the bottom edge of the tank....

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