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Author Topic: Switch on a ground wire?  (Read 1657 times)

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Offline Shenanigans

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Switch on a ground wire?
« on: July 04, 2008, 08:30:30 PM »
Is there any thing undesirable with putting a switch on a ground wire? That would effectively serve as an on off switch to a headlight by cutting/connecting the ground?

I say this because currently my headlight is wired to be constantly on and the location of the ground wire I made (The old goldwing headlight bucket on there does not ground very well) is in the perfect spot for a small in-line switch. Is this a workable idea?
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Offline Hush

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Re: Switch on a ground wire?
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2008, 08:34:43 PM »
May be it would work but only if that is the only "ground" the headlight is getting, many pick up earths from other sources too.
Try it and see, can't hurt. ;D
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Offline Joel

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Re: Switch on a ground wire?
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2008, 09:25:11 PM »
Does Arizona not require a headlight on during the day?
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Offline Shenanigans

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Re: Switch on a ground wire?
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2008, 09:45:52 PM »
I am pretty sure they do not require a headlight on during the day. From what I could find anyway. I also have it on all the time as I need all the help I can get to be seen.
I have never noticed a stock engineered bike to have a switch at a ground, so I was wondering if there way a reason.


I wired it so the high beam is always on, the bike is wired absolute bare minimum and I just want a quick way to turn it off. So that if I am sitting in traffic for a while or am trying to diagnose a problem it drains the battery less.

Oh, and of course for stealthy getaways...
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Offline Joel

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Re: Switch on a ground wire?
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2008, 09:47:56 PM »
I know the neutral and oil pressure switches on my bike are on the ground side.  I'm not sure about the headlight though.  I tried looking up a page that explains the pros and cons of power versus ground switching but haven't had any luck yet.
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Offline Shenanigans

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Re: Switch on a ground wire?
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2008, 11:04:16 PM »
Ah yes, I forgot about the oil and neutral switch being on the ground side.
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Offline Joel

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Re: Switch on a ground wire?
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2008, 09:24:37 PM »
For a larger current circuit such as the headlight, I'd suggest switching the power.  If you switch the ground, you'll have live voltage through the light up to the switch at all times.  If you get a short after the headlight anywhere, it could short to ground and the light ends up on until you fix it.

Will taking the headlight fuse out keep it from coming on?  I assume it's supposed to.  Mine stays on even with the fuse out because I think it's wired through the tail light circuit at the moment.  The PO changed all the lights and appeared to have been in a hurry during the wiring process.  :)
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Offline Frrrrunkis

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Re: Switch on a ground wire?
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2008, 09:33:22 PM »
before I got my 400 on the road, I had the headlight wired up so I could turn it off while test riding in the yard, to reduce the strain on the battery. I was going to put the switch on the ground, but later decided to put it on the low beam lead, and leave it where the high beam is always on, so I could quickly flash my light if needed. Shortly after I got it on the road, the cheap radioshack switch tore up, and I took it out.
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Offline Shenanigans

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Re: Switch on a ground wire?
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2008, 10:35:51 PM »
Quote from: Joel C on July 05, 2008, 09:24:37 PM

Will taking the headlight fuse out keep it from coming on?  I assume it's supposed to.  Mine stays on even with the fuse out because I think it's wired through the tail light circuit at the moment.  The PO changed all the lights and appeared to have been in a hurry during the wiring process.  :)

My bike does not have the stock harness. As for it shorting and staying on, it is not really too much of a hassle to find where its grounding. I would switch at the power but there is no where really reachable while riding. I don't have any controls/switches at the bars. I'm thinking I am gonna try it just to see. Thanks for the input.

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Offline 333

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Re: Switch on a ground wire?
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2008, 10:43:46 PM »
If you use a double pole, double throw, center off switch on the positive side, you will have control over high/low beam and the ability to turn it off.
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Offline Tim.

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Re: Switch on a ground wire?
« Reply #10 on: July 05, 2008, 10:49:59 PM »
The horn on an XS650 is switched like this.  Horn button grounds to the switch housing/handlebars.
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