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Hey everyone, I posted in another thread that I had installed LED backup lights onto my 2016 Kodiak base model, and was asked how I wired it so that they come on automatically when the bike is shifted into reverse. I was out farting around with the bike today (actually I rewired all the stuff I had added over months of ownership and wasn't happy with how I wired it, since things were added at different times, so I redid it all).
To wire backup lights so that they come on automatically when the bike is shifted into reverse you need to find the wires that turn on the "R" indicator light when the bike is shifted into reverse. The way the indicator lights in these bikes are wired, the whole lot of them are given a 12-volt constant signal when the key is on, and the individual lights are turned on and off by switching the ground side. The ground side is still switched with the key off, but the 12-volt feed disappears. This works in our favour, because it means that the backup lights only come on when two conditions are met: Key on, Shifter in reverse. That means you can't forget to turn them off and kill your battery.
I did some probulating and discovered the two wires I needed are "BROWN" and "GREEN/BLUE STRIPE". These wires are found in a square 4-pin connector under the battery cover, near the handlebar stem (you can tell you've got the correct wires because they go up into the indicator light cluster).
You can tap into these wires any way you desire. Some people would use scotchlocks (or "wire taps"). I don't. You shouldn't either. I used simple red butt connectors. I cut the wires (one at a time!) and inserted the connectors, with wires leading off to the relay. If you're the type that drives in mud so deep snorkels are required, I recommend using a water proof connection. I don't, and the bike is stored inside, so these connectors I used are perfectly cromulent for me. I also wrapped the harness in electrical tape, both for strength and as a further method of splashproofing the connection.
Use a standard Bosch-style automotive relay. Do NOT connect backup lights directly to these wires. I don't know how much current the reverse sensor is rated at, but it's probably not much. Using a relay means the reverse sensor is only carrying the load of the relay's coil (roughly 1/10th of 1 amp). This means no appreciable extra current is flowing through the sensor.
Once you've tapped into the wires, run them to terminals 85 and 86 on the relay as shown in the diagram. When wired this way the relays coil will be ON when the key is on AND when the shifter is in reverse. It will not be energized at any other time.
Connect the relay's terminal 30 to the battery THROUGH A FUSE/FUSE HOLDER. Do NOT connect to the battery without a fuse! Your bike could burn if a short happens! The value of the fuse depends on the number and type of lights you're using. If, for example, you're using a 36 watt light (or two 18 watt lights) your current will be 3 amps. Use a 5-amp fuse. Your light manufacturer or vendor should be able to tell you the appropriate fuse.
Connect the relay's terminal 87 to your LED lights' + wire. Connect your LED lights' negative wire to chassis ground.
The diagram below should be fairly easy to follow. If not, or if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
You're done. Your backup lights should now be functional.
Now that you've got the simple part out of the way, I can say that there are more advanced installation options available. Want them to only come on at night (IE, when the lights are on)? Instead of tapping into that brown wire above, tap into the tail light wire. No, you don't need to go all the way back there. There is a suitable wire up front. Don't tap into the headlight, or your backup lights will only work on high or low beam, but not both. If anyone's interested, I'll post up a diagram of that option (I tapped into this wire for my shifter light).
Also, let's say you want to be able to use the lights without being in reverse (IE, when you're cleaning a deer and don't want to leave the bike running but would appreciate the light). You can put a manual override switch in to turn the lights on whenever you want. WARNING: These machines have little bitty batteries and no pull start. Using lights with the key off might result in a dead battery and a long walk home! I can provide diagrams for this option, too.
To wire backup lights so that they come on automatically when the bike is shifted into reverse you need to find the wires that turn on the "R" indicator light when the bike is shifted into reverse. The way the indicator lights in these bikes are wired, the whole lot of them are given a 12-volt constant signal when the key is on, and the individual lights are turned on and off by switching the ground side. The ground side is still switched with the key off, but the 12-volt feed disappears. This works in our favour, because it means that the backup lights only come on when two conditions are met: Key on, Shifter in reverse. That means you can't forget to turn them off and kill your battery.
I did some probulating and discovered the two wires I needed are "BROWN" and "GREEN/BLUE STRIPE". These wires are found in a square 4-pin connector under the battery cover, near the handlebar stem (you can tell you've got the correct wires because they go up into the indicator light cluster).
You can tap into these wires any way you desire. Some people would use scotchlocks (or "wire taps"). I don't. You shouldn't either. I used simple red butt connectors. I cut the wires (one at a time!) and inserted the connectors, with wires leading off to the relay. If you're the type that drives in mud so deep snorkels are required, I recommend using a water proof connection. I don't, and the bike is stored inside, so these connectors I used are perfectly cromulent for me. I also wrapped the harness in electrical tape, both for strength and as a further method of splashproofing the connection.
Use a standard Bosch-style automotive relay. Do NOT connect backup lights directly to these wires. I don't know how much current the reverse sensor is rated at, but it's probably not much. Using a relay means the reverse sensor is only carrying the load of the relay's coil (roughly 1/10th of 1 amp). This means no appreciable extra current is flowing through the sensor.
Once you've tapped into the wires, run them to terminals 85 and 86 on the relay as shown in the diagram. When wired this way the relays coil will be ON when the key is on AND when the shifter is in reverse. It will not be energized at any other time.
Connect the relay's terminal 30 to the battery THROUGH A FUSE/FUSE HOLDER. Do NOT connect to the battery without a fuse! Your bike could burn if a short happens! The value of the fuse depends on the number and type of lights you're using. If, for example, you're using a 36 watt light (or two 18 watt lights) your current will be 3 amps. Use a 5-amp fuse. Your light manufacturer or vendor should be able to tell you the appropriate fuse.
Connect the relay's terminal 87 to your LED lights' + wire. Connect your LED lights' negative wire to chassis ground.
The diagram below should be fairly easy to follow. If not, or if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
You're done. Your backup lights should now be functional.
Now that you've got the simple part out of the way, I can say that there are more advanced installation options available. Want them to only come on at night (IE, when the lights are on)? Instead of tapping into that brown wire above, tap into the tail light wire. No, you don't need to go all the way back there. There is a suitable wire up front. Don't tap into the headlight, or your backup lights will only work on high or low beam, but not both. If anyone's interested, I'll post up a diagram of that option (I tapped into this wire for my shifter light).
Also, let's say you want to be able to use the lights without being in reverse (IE, when you're cleaning a deer and don't want to leave the bike running but would appreciate the light). You can put a manual override switch in to turn the lights on whenever you want. WARNING: These machines have little bitty batteries and no pull start. Using lights with the key off might result in a dead battery and a long walk home! I can provide diagrams for this option, too.
