auxiliary brake light and aux. driving lights ?

[VolvoWrench]

Gents.
We all know that we'll never see an official BMW workshop manual or, wiring diagram. But, if one were to want to add an auxiliary brake light, how would you tap into the turn signals in a Gen 2? There's 4 wires going to each turn signal lamp.

Also, lets say a bloke wants to run a strobe controller to his aux. driving lights? There's 4 pins at the lamp. What are the 4 wires for?

Thx.

[Warree]

Have you considered a Hex EzCan Gen2? I winced at the cost but am very pleased with how easy and versatile they make all of these electrical jobs.

[af1-windy]

Originally Posted by Warree

Have you considered a Hex EzCan Gen2? I winced at the cost but am very pleased with how easy and versatile they make all of these electrical jobs.

  Hex EzCan is the way to go.. Once you're over the cost  but lets face it, is anything ever too expensive for the love of your life  it's not like you're throwing dosh at a new handbag for her in doors.. 

I spent ages reading up and watching YouTube vids  only to discover that their software for running the ezcan is very straight forward and intuitive.. 

  windy

[advr6]

In the US also look at the Denali CanSmart ... plug and play for driving and brake lights ... available through twisted throttle ...

[JTL]

The rear light is LED.  You can't tap into the wiring - this would probably throw an error as the current draw would be too high.  The light is pulsed fast for the brake light, slow for tail light afaik.  Use a Hex-can or Denali CanBUS controller.

I have the SHAD LED auxiliary rear light and Denali front lights - both controlled by Hex-can.

[jskene]

Just FYI:

P3 Lights from Skene Lights will connect directly to the brake light lead and operate as a tail light and flashing brake light. The P3 controller differentiates between the rapid, low pulse width signal of the tail light and the solid ON of the brake light. There is no need to spend more for a Hex EzCan. You can get switched power from the unused lead under the left rear of the tank.

[VolvoWrench]

Thanks for all the info. boys.
Jskene, it just so happens I pinged you guys earlier and got a nice reply from Bill@skene
Going to look down that road I think.

[Deano747]

If you go the Clearwater Route, they have their own version of the Hex EzCan - but it only does their aux lights and Bille stop light. If you want to add other stuff later, then get the EzCan.

[VolvoWrench]

Ok boys,
I went with the Skene lights. It does exactly what I need for the best price. (don't need all the add-ons of CANbus interruption)

Can anyone give me advice on pulling off body work and finding a brake light wire I could tap?

Cheers.

[jskene]

The gen 2 wiring is different from the gen 1. I have a gen 1 XR which has a center brake light. Wiring for P3 Lights on a gen 1 is shown in the first image below. This may be useful for others.

For the gen 2, BMW incorporates the tail & brake lights with the indicator lights and so has no center tail or brake light. The blue wire in the each indicator cable is the turn signal wire. Connect the P3's yellow wire to the right indicator's blue wire and the P3's green wire to the left indicator's blue wire. The grey wire is the combined tail/brake wire. Connect the P3's white wire to either the left or right grey wire. The brown wire in each cable is ground. Connect the P3's black wire to either brown wire.

To provide power to the P3's red wire, connect this to a switched power source that is able to provide the 1/2 amp power needed by the P3. I recommend using the source under the seat shown in the second image below. I'm not sure if this is the same on the gen 2 as I have not had an opportunity to examine that model. It may have a second aux power plug under seat at the left front, which will also work. This is discussed here: https://www.s1000xr.uk/index.php/topic,2425.30.html


P3 Lights wiring for gen 1


Switched Power, under the seat