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Message started by wombat on 11/11/11 at 06:26:55

Title: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by wombat on 11/11/11 at 06:26:55

I'm doing a Ryca build using the supplied LED signals in the rear and adding LED signals up forward. Do I need to incorporate a resistor somewhere in the system to keep the lights from flashing too fast. If so, how much resistance will I need and where to install it (them)?

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by verslagen1 on 11/11/11 at 07:04:53

much easier just to get an electronic flasher

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by MotoBuddha on 11/11/11 at 08:00:09

I think the faster blinking attracts more attention because it's unusual. It possible for other drivers to accidentally look away between normal speed blinks.

But if you want a normal blinking rate, then you'll probably need resistors. Here's an FAQ from one of the big supplies or motorcycle lights:

http://www.customdynamics.com/led_motorcycle_lighting_faqs.htm

If you're the Radio Shack DIY type, you can pick up the necessary resisters cheaply. Otherwise there are pre-made options that either replace the stock flasher relay or get wired in.

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by wombat on 11/11/11 at 08:06:06

What is an electronic flasher and who makes them?

657661607F7274767D22130 wrote:

much easier just to get an electronic flasher

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by verslagen1 on 11/11/11 at 08:23:25

6C7A6D70687D706B1F0 wrote:

The flasher is under the gas tank on the right side... get an electronic replacement for LEDS...
Auto parts store, about $10 or $12 bucks...

2E322F372A3F28393635343F5A0 wrote:

check
signal dynamics.com
think they make those..
with any led turn signal youll need an electronic flasher(best) or
load equilizers(resistance)

think that kit is all new led bulbs yellow/amber for turns and reds for run and red for brake..
think paladin has that set up on his scoot..

544258574A5854572D0 wrote:

go to :
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Ftail-brake-turn.html%23flasher

Site is a booger to navigate.

Go to electronic LED flashers.
Go down to the motorcycle flashers

Look for "LF1-S-FLAT: Universal Motorcycle Flasher"

This is a Plug and Play flasher for the LS650. I know, I bought one, it works. Others have done so as well.

This and a hundred others if you search "LED flasher"

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by spacepirates on 11/11/11 at 08:49:56

092B302B063120202C25440 wrote:

I think the faster blinking attracts more attention because it's unusual. It possible for other drivers to accidentally look away between normal speed blinks.

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by MotoBuddha on 11/11/11 at 09:13:50

434051535540594251445543300 wrote:

[quote author=092B302B063120202C25440 link=1321021615/0#2 date=1321027209]I think the faster blinking attracts more attention because it's unusual. It possible for other drivers to accidentally look away between normal speed blinks.

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by spacepirates on 11/11/11 at 11:35:40

Found this online: http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179649

it is for a car with running lights, but the theory will be the same and it shows you pretty well where the resistor would go, if you decide to go that route. Resistor goes in parallel with the bulb/LED array between power and ground.

all about tradeoffs: flashers are easier and more efficient but more expensive. resistors are more work and "wasteful" but cheap.

jealous of your freedom, MotoBuddha. We've got a lot of crappy regulations that the inspector can get you for if they feel like it.

Wombat, resistors are cheap enough that you can try a few out and not break the bank. You don't have to solder them in fully either, you can twist the wires together temporarily to test them out. just be careful with electricity, try not to put yourself in a situation that could result in a short and shock the sh*t out of you, though i'd imagine the load is limited for the signals. better safe than shocked.

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 11/11/11 at 16:25:43

Autozone has resistor/ load equalizers for about $12 a pair. They are 26 watt resistors & install between the load (turn signal wire) & ground. I had to use them on my 950 instead of replacing the flasher because the flasher has a built in turn signal cut off feature I didn't want to give up. ;D

I used a five wire to four wire automotive trailer wiring converter to make them function as run/turn/brake lights. Cheap & easy to find if it should burn out. 8-)

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n94/Pappygt13/V-StarMods437.jpg

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by dasch on 11/13/11 at 07:42:05

Ridge, what are you running there? Big shiny turnout, car tire, bling... which bike is that?

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 11/13/11 at 10:22:55

626775656E060 wrote:

Ridge, what are you running there? Big shiny turnout, car tire, bling... which bike is that?

It's a '09 V-Star 950T that I will have owned 2 years on the 20th of this month. I drilled the baffle in the stock muffler & added the SS turnout. That car tire has over 8k on it now & is a huge improvement over any m/c tire I've ever ran. Almost everything on this bike is something I made or modified because I think most m/c parts are way over priced. I'm most proud of my receiver style trailer hitch because with the ball mount removed you would never know I have a hitch. :o

After 3 Savages starting in '88 I felt the need to get a more comfortable bike for 2up riding. 8-)

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n94/Pappygt13/V-Star%20Mods/V-StarMods513.jpg

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by MotoBuddha on 11/13/11 at 12:53:21

On one of my bikes I had incandescents on the front and LEDs on the back. Somehow I got the wiring switched around so that all the signals were on full bright all the time and blinked OFF when I signaled. That was fine with me until I saw that the heat from the incandescents was melting the signal housings. Oops.

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by BurnPgh on 11/16/11 at 14:34:12

7E7D6C6E687D647F6C79687E0D0 wrote:

Not sure what your state requirements are, but in PA your signals have to be between two frequencies, i think between 60 and 120hz (between pulsing once and twice per second), so this might be a legality mod rather than personal preference.
I'd also say go for the flasher. It is easier to install (no soldering!) and keeps the power/heat benefits that come with LEDs. actually, don't take my word on that, i've just been under the assumption that adding resistors negate the power (and heat) saving benefits over standard bulbs and that flashers don't. maybe someone more versed in the lighting department can verify?

If you did want to go the resistor route, my initial guess would be to take a multimeter (ohmeter) and measure the resistance of the standard bulb, then of the LED array, and just add a resistor inline that adds up to about the same as the bulb. but that is a guess off the top of my head. some things in electronics are more like magic than science.... to me anyways :o[/quote]

Not so. Car turn signals have to be between 60-120 flashes per minute...yes...but in PA motorcycles are not required to have turn signals for inspection. PA's weird though. Could be you dont have to have them for inspection but you have to have them to operate on public roads. Motorcycles are only allowed to have two lights for forward illumination (headlights). You can have a light bar for high beams, or low beams, but if you've got your actual headlight set to be low beam it has to kick off when you switch the bar light on to high beam. Legally. Of course it depends where ou look too. Fuhqing stupid.
In any case, i bought a bunch of LED bulbs and a premade relay and soldered it all up, put the bulbs in. Dandy...the relay quit working two days later. I switched to ease the load on my mini-battery but after switching back the concern proved to be unfounded.

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/16/11 at 20:24:46

So far, I have resisted the temptation to change to LEDS, so, I dont have to sweat it.

Title: Re: Need resistors for LED signals?
Post by feelinjunky on 11/16/11 at 22:06:50

Having changed every single light on my savage to leds (except headlight - that's hid), I can tell you it's easier to get a flasher. Also, you can make an led flasher, if you want to save a few bucks.

http://www.circuitlab.org/2010/07/schematic-led-flasher.html

I did it because I'm an electronics junkie and I had the parts laying around, but you're better of buying the flasher imo.