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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2012 and older => Topic started by: siccycle on June 15, 2015, 09:00:43 PM

Title: DC-DC converter ground- 12v needed for aux LED's 2010 S model
Post by: siccycle on June 15, 2015, 09:00:43 PM

Need to power my nifty add-on LED hi-beams. My 2010 doesn't seem to have the pigtail for the 12v accessory add-on I have seen mentioned. I can add the double tap fuse doohickey from AutoZone but that just gives a Positive- the frame is not the ground- so where do I find a ground to complete my 12v circuit.

Title: Re: DC-DC converter ground- 12v needed for aux LED's 2010 S model
Post by: trikester on June 15, 2015, 11:08:08 PM

Because the 12 V aux system is not grounded to the frame you will need to connect directly to the -12 V connection at the converter or someplace along the -12 wiring. Because of the headlamp current, however, it would be best to connect at or near the connector on the DC/DC converter.

Trikester

Title: Re: DC-DC converter ground- 12v needed for aux LED's 2010 S model
Post by: siccycle on June 16, 2015, 04:24:41 AM

Yes - What is the color code for the 12v- wire in the wiring harness for the 2010 Zero S model? I have the right side fairing off so I have some access to the wiring right there at the top of the tank where the 4 place fuse block is located.

Title: Re: DC-DC converter ground- 12v needed for aux LED's 2010 S model
Post by: siccycle on June 16, 2015, 10:07:59 PM

OK- found it. The big connector at the top rear of the battery box. With two wires, red and black. (duh!)

Title: Re: DC-DC converter ground- 12v needed for aux LED's 2010 S model
Post by: Burton on June 16, 2015, 10:19:58 PM

I really hope you are not grounding your accessories to the big #0 size wire on your battery box 0_0

If the 2010 is anything close to the 2013 there should be a DC:DC converter box which drops the voltage down to 12v for accessories.

I would call Harlan at Hollywood Electrics and ask him which wire you need to ground to.

Or send me the model number on the DC:DC conversion box and I will tell you which pin you need to ground to.

Title: Re: DC-DC converter ground- 12v needed for aux LED's 2010 S model
Post by: trikester on June 16, 2015, 11:31:21 PM

I agree - do not ground either side of the high voltage battery. Only work with the output of the DC/DC converter 12 volts.

I seem to remember Zero engjneering telling me that if the battery gets grounded it is detected and the system is shut down. Not 100% sure about that ,however.

When I adapted the 2013 FX / MMX Powertrain to my trike I isolated everything from the original Yamaha frame and have just one ground point on the frame for the -12 VDC. It's important to have a ground point on the 12V so that any leakage current from the HV can't raise the + & - 12 to a high potential in reference to the frame or earth but the frame isn't used as a conductor for powering the lights etc.

Trikester

Title: Re: DC-DC converter ground- 12v needed for aux LED's 2010 S model
Post by: siccycle on June 17, 2015, 01:56:45 AM

Good advice. Thanks. My connection (for the 12v ground) is to the black wire of the red/black pair (12 gauge?) that is connected to the panel at the top rear of the battery box- and labeled panel feed IIRC.

Title: Re: DC-DC converter ground- 12v needed for aux LED's 2010 S model
Post by: trikester on June 18, 2015, 12:19:27 AM

Yes, that should work.

Trikester