Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech LED signal question

I installed new LED mini bullet rear turn signals today. I turned on the key, but did not start it, just to test them. Right one first, it worked but blinked way faster than normal. Left one did not work and made a squeeling noise somewhere in the front. I started the bike and both signals worked, squeeling gone, but still blink way faster than normal. Any ideas?
thanks, mike

What you need is a flasher made for LEDs.



http://www.superbrightleds.com./flashers.htm

Soren

thanks for the reply Soren

You're Welcome

Soren

If they start flashing all at once like hazard lights you'll need to take the console light out, or add some diodes to it.

I'll try the LED flasher first, if it still acts strange I,ll get some specifics from you Matt.
thanks, mike

Thought I'd stick my related question here rather than start a new thread...I've got some LED indicators to put on (my first mod.!!) and also 4 load resistors. I'm just wondering if I could get away with just fitting one resistor, perhaps along the wire that goes to the switch (on the handlebar)...would this work? Also, which wire would I attach it to (what colour)?
Thanks in advance, neill

1 in line to each light might work. That is what causes them to not work right is there isn't enough of a draw to make the flasher work.

I think the simplest way is at each corner, but if you were to only do one, it would probably have to be near the flasher to make the difference, not the switch.

I put my load equalizer in the headlight bucket, it runs off of the turn signal switch, 1 lead each for left/right, and one ground. You need a wiring diagram or volt meter to figure out which wire is which, but it's no big deal.

Kyle

I did the same thing with 1 big laod resister made specificly for that and put mine under my lic plate. Wired into the rear blinkers.

Thanks for the comments. Dog, what was the value of the single load resistor you used and could you draw a basic wiring diagram to show which wire to connect it to? (I don't have a manual yet.) As mentioned, I have 4 individual resistors but they're quite chunky and would rather just have the one.
resistors:
http://www.oberon-performance.co.uk/acatalog/LED-Resistors.html
indicators:
http://www.oberon-performance.co.uk/acatalog/motorcycle-indicators-led.html

Thanks again, neill

$40 I think. and it was about the size of a box of small box matches. I'm guessing here, maybe 2"X1.5"X1/4"

The one I used is as sandman describes below. Its made for this purpose and is a sealed unit with the wires comming out of the plastic outer case.

LED turn signals are great - they plug straight in, use less power, and create less heat. They're also more noticeable coz they don't "fade" on and off, they have a more distinct flash. They use less power because they have a much lower "load", however that tricks the standard flasher into thinking a bulb's burned out so it flashes at a faster rate to warn you.

Load resistors add that extra "load" back into the circuit. There's no doubt that they bring the flash rate back where it should be, but they require messing with your wiring and remove the main benefit of having the LEDs in the first place! Using a dedicated LED flasher is really the preferable, plug'n'play way to go.

If you absolutley MUST use load resistors you don't need four - having one on the left and one on the right'll be fine. In fact you could get away with just ONE of them between the flasher unit's output and the bike's earth. Best place I've found to put em's on the right side of the bike near the side cover, attached to the frame to help shed heat. You can also use the turn signal wires in the alarm connector, assuming you don't have an alarm (or even if you DO have an alarm, if you're careful). You're probably better off getting commercial load resistors than trying to find appropriate valued ceramic resistors, as they usually come in a diecast, waterproof case that has mounts etc to assist in shedding heat and helps protect the ceramic resistors. If you go the way of making them yourself don't try using carbon/metal film etc resistors, they won't handle the power requirements. You'll need ceramic ones, probably 10W or better.

I don't have a manual (I don't even have the bike yet!!) so can someone please tell me which type of dedicated flasher unit I'd need? I really wouldn't have a clue how you'd go about buying one so all help/information is appreciated. Cheers,
neill

Dog-when I said 'value', I meant resistance value, not monetary. Besides, what the ******'s a $ ...is it like 1/2 a one of these: £ ? heehee

(42 hours to go...)

LOL I don't know what the resistance is all I know is it was made specificly to do what I used it for.
I believe Soren know what flasher you need. I saw him post a page with various flasher units on it.