I have just bought a new LED headlight to replace the stock on on my 2020 883 Iron. I have removed the stock headlight and found that along with the expected wiring harness there are two extra cables attached to the bottom of the headlight unit. Any ideas what they are? My replacement light doesn't have anywhere to attach these.

 

Those wires go to what Mr HD calls a position lamp.

The receptacles should stop the connectors from touching anything but wrap them up in tape.

 

Thanks Andy! What does a position lamp do?

 

I am thinking it is redundant now as the headlamp is on all the time but part of lighting regulations. I am also thinking side light we used to have before daylight running lights (DRL) in our cars.

 

The position lamp is only present on international models, but the wiring harness is the same on all models. It's purpose is to make the bike visible while left unattended, which is required in some countries. Turning the ignition switch to ACC allows the position lamp & tail lamps to illuminate.



Some aftermarket LED headlights have a halo ring around the headlight. The position lamp connector is utilized to illuminate the halo LED's via an adapter harness connected to the position lamp connector.

 

That is the point I made about being redundant. My bike is keyless and so there is no ACC position.

The HD LED lamp has a small lamp in the middle with a bar and shield that is powered using the position power lead.

 

It doesn't matter if the bike is keyed, or keyless, both systems have their own separate procedures for entering the ACC mode. The procedure for illuminating the position lamp (on international models) is identical, keyed or keyless, once the bike is in ACC mode.

 

Thanks guys. That's great info and I now have my LED headlight installed!

Do you know what power is coming through these position lamp cables? Could they be utilised to add a USB charging port to my bike?

 

For the amount of current or power that the cables can handle you need to know the gauge of the wire but you could use those wires for a USB charging port on your bike for things that don't need more than a few amps.

I couldn't find it in the manual but with the fob by the bike you have to press the trip button for a few seconds and it turns on the position lamp and tail lamp.

 

Yes you can use it to install a USB charging port, that wire have a normal 12V .