 Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Bit late, but no.. not zener diodes. They're actually used to create a reference voltage for power supplies - not what you wanna do.  As Reido & Dazco said use rectifier diodes (also called power diodes). I use 1N4007's - should cost you about $0.20 each from radio shack. FYI a diode is sort of an electronic "valve"... it'll let electricity flow one way through it but not the other. They'll have a band or stripe around one end that marks the "cathode" or negative side of the diode. The other side's called the "anode" to which you connect the positive voltage. More trivia: an LED is also a diode, its name stands for Light Emitting Diode (which is why they don't work if you connect them backwards).
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Yeah Reid explained how they work, NOW it makes sense to me. All I need to understand electricity is to relate it to hydraulics. The diode is like a check valve! All makes sense to me now. Should be a simple install.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: May 2006
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Learned Hand
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Ok check this out. I know there is alot of talk about using the 12V diodes going on. These LED's are Non-Polorized, so they are supposed to work in any direction. This eliminates the need for 12V diodes inline. Making this a simple swapping of bulbs, or changing of the guards for us ex-military folk. 
http://www.superbrightleds.com./mini-wedge.html
WLED-x6 LED Wedge Base Bulbs
Like I said. ALL OF THESE BULBS WORK IN MY CONSOLE IN ANY DIRECTION. I don't have anything crazy going on either.
I think the big thing here is getting these particular bulbs.
Now I believe it's ready for the Tech Vault.
Last edited by Reido113; 08/07/2006 1:06 PM.
06BA,-AI,NoBfls,K&NPods,TBS,155/45,2 3/4Out,SidGapPlgs,Wirsnbrs
NawImPrityFknFarFrmOkMan
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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I finally got around to putting the LED 1156 bulbs in my turn signals and putting the LED flasher in. First, the LED Flasher unit is a must. I tried it with the stock flasher, didn't work at all. Second, the 24 wide angle LED bulbs are about the same as the stock bulbs, not much brighter if at all. Third, using that much less power at the bulbs makes the LED turn signal indicator on the console even brighter.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
Like I said. ALL OF THESE BULBS WORK IN MY CONSOLE IN ANY DIRECTION.
But, are they the only LEDS you have installed. Chances are (almost guaranteed) if you replace your front and rear siganls with LEDS, you will have a problem without installing any diodes. You will end up with the hazard light flash effect.
Soren
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Quote:
Ok check this out. I know there is alot of talk about using the 12V diodes going on. These LED's are Non-Polorized, so they are supposed to work in any direction. This eliminates the need for 12V diodes inline.
The LED globes you've put in your console can be plugged in either way, but that's not what the isolation diodes are for. (Your globes have some tricky electronics in them to do that btw, one day I'll figure out how they do it.)
If you have LED globes in your turn signals then the console warning light will turn left or right into 4 way "hazard" flashers, regardless of wether the console light's a traditional globe or an LED one. The diodes & extra earth wire are to stop left & right bleeding across the warning light. Have a look much earlier in this thread for my explanation (including circuit digarams) of why this happens.
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: May 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Quote:
Like I said. ALL OF THESE BULBS WORK IN MY CONSOLE IN ANY DIRECTION.
But, are they the only LEDS you have installed. Chances are (almost guaranteed) if you replace your front and rear siganls with LEDS, you will have a problem without installing any diodes. You will end up with the hazard light flash effect.
Soren
My only difference is that I have replaced my turn signals with some arlen ness ones. They are not LED's either, just regular bulbs?? Here are the ones I have.
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail..._Marker_Lights_
I'm sure if you have LED signals there would be something different.
I thought we were only refering to the console LED light swapping here. If that is the case and all someone has is regular bulb turn signals then you do not need to do anything other than swap the console bulbs with the LED ones and direction doesn't matter. well depending on your throttle position (yes i'm kidding about the throttle)
06BA,-AI,NoBfls,K&NPods,TBS,155/45,2 3/4Out,SidGapPlgs,Wirsnbrs
NawImPrityFknFarFrmOkMan
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jan 2005
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where would I get the sylvania #168 bulbs? are they colored?
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Feb 2005
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I just receive my 3 LEDs from superbrightleds.com and installed them for the oil, neutral, and turn signal indicators, and they all work fine with no complications. I have no other LEDs on the bike. Like it was said, I think the trick is to use those special WLED 6-LED bulbs because, like Reido said:"These LED's are Non-Polorized, so they are supposed to work in any direction." I guess I won't have to install any diodes unless I install LEDs for turn signals, but someone said the LED turn signals (24 LED bulbs) were not any brighter that the original filament bulbs, so I guess I am in no hurry for that swap.
--Tom
02 TBA; 130 mains; TBS; Nology Coils&Wires;Unifilter/opened Airbox; -AI/snorkels; -2 baffles;Progressive 440s & Springs
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Bill, they are clear and I got mine at Pep Boys.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Can anyone pop a good, clear photo of the diode wiring? I'm still confused!
Al
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Should be Riding
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The way I finally visualized it is like check valves. The only let the juice flow one way. So you nip the two wires going into the indicator bulb. You solder one end (forget which off hand) of the diode to each wire coming from the harness. Then you join the other end of the diodes TOGETHER and to one of the leads on the bulb. Then you send the other bulb lead to ground. On page one of this thread there's a good diagram. If I ever get around to it I'll snap pics along the way.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Quote:
Can anyone pop a good, clear photo of the diode wiring? I'm still confused!
I haven't got a photo and it probably wouldn't do you any good coz it gets pretty messy under there but maybe this will help.
However if you can use a soldering iron and a dremel I'm in the middle of a project to make your own LED globe that includes the diodes and is a lot neater. You'll still have to add the third wire for an earth but other than that it's "plug n play". I've been running it on my bike for the last week over roughly 500km and it works great, I just have to finalise the design and take some photos.
Watch this space.
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
Quote:
Can anyone pop a good, clear photo of the diode wiring? I'm still confused!
I haven't got a photo and it probably wouldn't do you any good coz it gets pretty messy under there but maybe this will help.
However if you can use a soldering iron and a dremel I'm in the middle of a project to make your own LED globe that includes the diodes and is a lot neater. You'll still have to add the third wire for an earth but other than that it's "plug n play". I've been running it on my bike for the last week over roughly 500km and it works great, I just have to finalise the design and take some photos.
Watch this space.
Matt:
Oh yeah, that works, thanks! I'll give it a shot.
Been riding with my daughter on her 500 Ninja. She asked me last week why sometimes I don't cancel my turn signals. I showed her my light vs. hers which is traffic-signal large & bright!
Al
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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These Bulbs, Right? Narrow or Wide angle?
Al
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: May 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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ssjones remember if you have regular bulb signals and not LED signals all you have to do is swap bulbs, no electrical work as long as you get the non-polorized LED's. My link to them is back a page.
06BA,-AI,NoBfls,K&NPods,TBS,155/45,2 3/4Out,SidGapPlgs,Wirsnbrs
NawImPrityFknFarFrmOkMan
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
ssjones remember if you have regular bulb signals and not LED signals all you have to do is swap bulbs, no electrical work as long as you get the non-polorized LED's. My link to them is back a page.
Yep, that's why I question the item numbers I'll need. I have the Electrical Connection rear LED running/brake lights in my rear signals. I'll have to do the under-dash wiring (looks simple) but want to confirm the bulb numbers.
Al
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/s...713&next=50The 5th product down. WLED 6-LED bulb 12 VDC 6-LED Wedge Base bulb (194/168 type) The blue will be too bright for night time use. Leave that one alone, just get 2 green and 1 red.
06BA,-AI,NoBfls,K&NPods,TBS,155/45,2 3/4Out,SidGapPlgs,Wirsnbrs
NawImPrityFknFarFrmOkMan
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/s...713&next=50
The 5th product down. WLED 6-LED bulb
12 VDC 6-LED Wedge Base bulb (194/168 type)
The blue will be too bright for night time use. Leave that one alone, just get 2 green and 1 red.
That link isn't working and I still need to know narrow or wide angle, sorry for all the questions but thanks!
Al
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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scroll down this page..... http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/s...134&next=50Till you see "WLED 6-LED bulb 12 VDC 6-LED Wedge Base bulb (194/168 type) It's the second bulb on the page after a few other non bulb items."
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
I just have to finalise the design and take some photos.
I'm waiting with baited breath 
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
scroll down this page.....
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/s...134&next=50
Till you see "WLED 6-LED bulb
12 VDC 6-LED Wedge Base bulb (194/168 type)
It's the second bulb on the page after a few other non bulb items."
Beautiful, order placed. Thanks!
Al
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Wide angle for the actual amber signals and narrow for the console lights. You want everyone around you to see the amber signals but you want to light up the caps over the console lights.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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OK, I've finally written up a howto for LED console lights. It covers choosing & using commercial ones, modifying the socket with isolation diodes, and building your own LED globes. LED console light page
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
Wide angle for the actual amber signals and narrow for the console lights. You want everyone around you to see the amber signals but you want to light up the caps over the console lights.
Cool, that's what I ordered.
Al
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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OK, after 7 pages I ordered some, too. I also ordered a little $1.79 instrument bulb and socket to light up my oil temp filler plug. Just have to find a place to mount it.
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Bulbs came today. Oil/Neutral were just a plug & play affair. Turn signal light indicator would not work, oriented either way. Picked up two diodes this evening and will solder in tomorrow. Those lights are bright!
Al
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Got mine today and mounted them. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Thanks for the leg-work. If you haven't done this yet - do it! 
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I don't know if anyonelse has this small issue, but keep your eye on it.
Sometimes the neutral light, when it is off, 1 led will be lit very dim. I swapped bulbs, to see if it was a bulb, and it happens on that one also. It has a mind of it's own when it comes to this. I'm lost... A small current must be getting through. (i have an 06, so my wire's not pinched at the sprocket cover)
06BA,-AI,NoBfls,K&NPods,TBS,155/45,2 3/4Out,SidGapPlgs,Wirsnbrs
NawImPrityFknFarFrmOkMan
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Mine did not. I checked it when I put it in, but I have a 2002 model TBA.
--Tom
--Tom
02 TBA; 130 mains; TBS; Nology Coils&Wires;Unifilter/opened Airbox; -AI/snorkels; -2 baffles;Progressive 440s & Springs
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Very faintly lit Neutral indicator
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OP
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My 05 America has the same "condition". The neutral indicator is ever so faintly lit when it's otherwise not supposed to be. It's only noticable, and barely at that, at night.
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Quote:
But like Benny says, these idiot lights are a PIA to mess with. It's those lens covers I have trouble with. Seems like everytime I push them back on, part of the rubber seal wants to go back inside the console.
I had a bit of trouble putting the lenses back in but i remembered an old trick for rubber parts. wet the lense edge with a tiny bit of dilute liquid dish soap and it will slip right in.
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Re: LEDs for tank instrumentation
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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I like the way the neutral light flashes at night during 1-2 shift. First time it did it, thought someone was taking my picture.
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Re: Very faintly lit Neutral indicator
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Quote:
My 05 America has the same "condition". The neutral indicator is ever so faintly lit when it's otherwise not supposed to be. It's only noticable, and barely at that, at night.
me too (me three?) - 04.
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Re: WOW, LEDs for tank instrumentation
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I've done a swap and have no problem with it. Stock turn signal bulbs and led console light.
07 TBA, 32" Turnouts, DIY Freak, hard saddlebags, 18" screen, dresser bars, highway pegs, floorboards, fog lights, amber run/turn lights front, red run/turn/stop lights back, blue speedo/tach lights, LED console lights
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