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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: drivethruecp on May 07, 2019, 03:01:19 AM

Title: High-Beam & Low-Beam on at the same time for greater visibility
Post by: drivethruecp on May 07, 2019, 03:01:19 AM
I live in rural Pennsylvania and rely on high beams to see deer and the road ahead. With the high beams switched on you give up a bit of visibility close-in (pot holes, gravel, etc). I run Sylvania Silverstar ZXE bulb and Phillips LED running light, great combo.

The high beam momentary switch actually enables the high beam while the low beam remains on--Wow--now that's some serious visibility. That's what I have been doing mostly, however it is inconvenient to hold that tinny trigger to keep them both enabled. Wondering if anyone has any wiring hacks to make the normal high beam switch keep both on or other solution?
Title: Re: High-Beam & Low-Beam on at the same time for greater visibility
Post by: flattetyre on May 08, 2019, 11:11:16 AM
Put a switch (or reconnect the high beam switch itself) in parallel with the momentary switch that does what you want.
Title: Re: High-Beam & Low-Beam on at the same time for greater visibility
Post by: pacificcricket on May 08, 2019, 12:40:13 PM
Highly recommend adding AUX lights instead powered from the accessory plug. You can easily increase light output 2-4 times of your high beam output.
Title: Re: High-Beam & Low-Beam on at the same time for greater visibility
Post by: drivethruecp on May 08, 2019, 06:35:43 PM
Could wire the high beam switch so it also keeps the low on? Wonder if the switch is checked during PA inspection.

Yes, I am still considering a set of Rigid Industries LED (pod style) for auxillary lights.
Title: Re: High-Beam & Low-Beam on at the same time for greater visibility
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on May 09, 2019, 09:54:15 PM
Switch to LEDs so the headlamp doesn’t warm up too much. Switching is also easier with a lower current draw.
Title: Re: High-Beam & Low-Beam on at the same time for greater visibility
Post by: drivethruecp on May 09, 2019, 09:58:01 PM
Switch to LEDs so the headlamp doesn’t warm up too much. Switching is also easier with a lower current draw.

Valid point! The headlight housing DOES get quite warm relatively quickly just with low beam alone.

Didn't opt for LED since I was unable to find a good projector lense solution. Without a projector lense, the beam would scatter and not have a clear cut-off as it should.
Title: Re: High-Beam & Low-Beam on at the same time for greater visibility
Post by: hubert on May 10, 2019, 02:16:21 AM
Yes, aux beams is a good solution. The headlight gets hot, and is made of plastic. The reflector may suffer from heat and become "unsharp", making the beam "blurry" and eventually less powerful.
Title: Re: High-Beam & Low-Beam on at the same time for greater visibility
Post by: DonTom on May 10, 2019, 03:39:57 AM
Wondering if anyone has any wiring hacks to make the normal high beam switch keep both on or other solution?
In the distant past, I have done such on many bikes. All before the days that LEDs were common. I have done both with my Suzuki DR200SE. It has both the low and high beam (LED)  on at the same time when I switch to high beam. No problems with doing such. I switched to LED well after I made the modification and decided to leave the modification alone when I went to LED.

It can also be done with our Zeros, or any other bike, but I have not done such on my Zeros.

-Don- Auburn, CA
Title: Re: High-Beam & Low-Beam on at the same time for greater visibility
Post by: Ayebah on September 12, 2019, 08:17:25 AM
The high Beam and low beam housings are the same except the low beam has a shield covering the upper half if you want them to look the same take out the shield. For me I rotated the shield 90 degrees and both lights too. I have high beam  over the low beam And Iml figure out how to make them both not him so high. Sorry For being up an old post but for me it feels like I’m late to the party and all I am is reading your posts