|
SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Technical Documents/Reference >> LED turn signals require different flasher module /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1169825737 Message started by Five_Points on 01/24/07 at 09:59:20 |
|
Title: LED turn signals require different flasher module Post by Five_Points on 01/24/07 at 09:59:20 I installed LED turn signals on my bike. Since the LED lights don't pull as much, the bike thinks a light is out and is giving me the fast blink when I use the turn signals. I know I can install a load equalizer in the mix, to fix this, if need be. My question is, Is it OK if I just leave it? The fast blink doesn't bother me, but I don't want to burn up a flasher unit or something. Just wondering if anyone has and info on this Edited the title upon moving thread to Tech Ref forum. |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal question Post by xvrider on 01/24/07 at 12:04:01 Here's a thread about that very issue (only its on a Yamaha XJ site) I would imagine the Suzuki's work in a similar fashion. http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=210/highlight=flasher.html |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal question Post by Five_Points on 01/24/07 at 12:48:51 Thanks Rob. I read through that whole thread. There was some helpful info, but not a lot of info that applied to me. But, I did find a link there that helped a lot: http://www.customdynamics.com I think I'll be fine. If I want to get the turn signals to flash normally, I'll either need to get a load equalizer (http://www.customdynamics.com/loadequalizer.htm), or replace my flasher relay with an LED flasher relay (http://www.customdynamics.com/trick_flasher.htm#Standard_DOT_Flasher) |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal question Post by Five_Points on 01/25/07 at 17:14:38 Come on now, Thumperclone! after getting these on and seeing them, they're here to stay (hopefully)! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/fivepointsskates/Motorcycle/DSCN1972.jpg @ Jim_R: I don't know much about the resistors, but will look into it. These turn signals are not LED's that plug into the existing turn signal using the same current, They're aftermarket LED signals. They take less current to run them than the Stock filament signals. I'll look into it though, thanks |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal question Post by justin_o_guy on 01/25/07 at 21:02:02 Okay, I am confuse. I see"It's blinkin fast, like I have a light out" I see answers to the problem including, "add resistors" & I expect you mean in series. Now, here's my problem. If a light is out the resistance is infinite. Flasher no flashee. When I add a pigtail to the pickup & plug a trailer in, the signals blinbk too fast, Why? INcreased current thru the flasher unit, heating the bi-metal strip, causing it to "Click" quicker. So, Why do LED lights cause it to flash faster? Seems to me it should flas very slow if at all, because the current thru the flasher unis is greatly decreased & the resistors should be in parallel with the led lights to increase current thru the flasher unit to make it flash. BUT< I cant see it so I just dunno.. |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal question Post by Max_Morley on 01/25/07 at 21:22:26 When we used bimetallic flashers that depended on currnt flow to heat the metal point arm and caus eht circui to go open, the extra bulbs made it falsh fast. The new systems work on electronics and are made so that a bulb out (less resistance) will make the flasher faster to notify the driver who never otherwise would know. Different flasher for different times. Max |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal question Post by Kropatchek on 01/26/07 at 03:55:31 The faster blinking rate is caused by the lesser load on the blinker. Remember that if a bulb is blown your blinkers blink FASTER. There are 2 solutions for this problem: 1) Replace the blinker unit with one thats load- independant 2) Put a resistor in the wire( in series) going to the LED blinkers The OEM blinker unit is designed for 2x21Watt bulbs per side. Now you have 21Watt up front and maybe 2 Watts at the rear. A 3.9 ohm, 20 watt resistor with heatsink will bring the blinking rate back to normal. Greetz Kropatchek ;D |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal question Post by smokin_blue on 01/26/07 at 04:15:16 interesting thread...here is why I wouldn't waste my time with the resistors in series. 1. the leds are designed to run at 12v. If you put a resistor in series you now split the 12v between the led and the resistor so your led will now be running on less voltage and most likely will either not fire or will be very dim. 2. when you say it senses less load it must be sensing less current not less resistance. the two have an inverse relationship. If it senses less current which would make sense since LEDs have a very high impedance (resistance) and run on low current then it senses current (this would match having a bulb out). If you add a resistor in series you would be increasing the resistance of the leg of the circuit, reducing the voltage to the led as mentioned above, AND FURTHER DECREASING the current through that leg of the circuit taking you in the wrong direction. To go the resistor route you would have to add a resistor in paralle but you need to do this carefully...and before you do it ask yourself why. If you added the lights cause they look cool go for it. If you added the lights to cut the current load on your charging system then this won't help. What you would have to do is size the resistor based on the wattage of the original light and the new led's. you need to raise the wattage (and hence current Watts = V*I=R*I*I) to match that of the original light. You will add a resistor in paralle that will take all of the current that the original light took minus the little bit the led's are taking. Then combined they both take the same total current and the led still gets 12v potential. It sounds complicated but really isn't. If you really want to pursue it.....??.....give me the wattage of the stock bulb and the new led's and we should be able to get you something that should work. If you don't have the wattage of the new leds look for the current draw..I can directly calculate the wattage. I am guessing they would avertise in wattage though. Regards and good luck! Smokin blue |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal question Post by Five_Points on 01/26/07 at 05:06:17 I agree Smokin Blue. I think the resistor might not be the right route for me. I'm thinking that if I do anything, I will get a set of these load equalizers: http://www.customdynamics.com/loadequalizer.htm Also, I am running these same turn signals up front too |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal question Post by Kropatchek on 01/26/07 at 06:23:39 Load equalizers are just resistors, which you put in series . "They get hot"as quoted from the site. Best is to get an electronic blinker unit ( Radio Shack?) Greetz Kropatchek ;D |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal question Post by Five_Points on 01/26/07 at 06:59:43 Thanks Kropatchek, I did not know they were the same. they LED Flasher is here and only $20: http://www.customdynamics.com/trick_flasher.htm#Standard_DOT_Flasher |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Oldnewguy on 12/24/09 at 08:37:40 I know that this is a pretty old thread, but www.superbrightleds.com has a small square flasher unit for $8.95 plus $5.00 S&H. Says it will work for LEDS and regular. |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Boule’tard on 12/25/09 at 08:04:19 Awesome. I was about to buy a $20 one for my DRZ. Thanks for the tip. I will report back on how it works. |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Oldnewguy on 12/25/09 at 11:50:33 Glad to help. Mine shipped the 24th. Hope to have it by Weds. I figure that was easier than the resistor thing. |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Oldnewguy on 12/29/09 at 10:35:45 Got the flasher unit. Works like a champ and would you believe that the flat one I bought plugs right into the harness plug. Just need a little tape to keep it tight. :D |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Boule’tard on 12/29/09 at 11:39:16 Cool. I got the flat-plugged one too but it hasn't arrived yet. I'll hook it up with LED signals all around, hopefully this week. :) |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Oldnewguy on 01/01/10 at 10:45:10 It not only wires up, but it fits in the rubber holder! :D |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Boule’tard on 01/07/10 at 11:27:21 WooHoo! I got my flasher :D It looks really well made, too. The electronics are potted into the housing with epoxy.. it looks completely submersible. I can't wait to hook it up, and may throw up a couple of photos too. Now where'd all my time for screwing around with motorbikes go? :-/ |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Boule’tard on 01/07/10 at 17:47:28 Ok here's the $8.95 flasher along with two of the LED signals I plan to run with it. The other two signals are idenical. You can see how the flasher is fully encased.. beyond weatherproof. http://i49.tinypic.com/2n07o0p.jpg The label says it's good for anywhere from 0.05 to 10 amps. Since there are no 60-watt turn signals, it should work for any combination of LED and incandescent signals. http://i48.tinypic.com/r8a77n.jpg I got only a few minutes into the disassembly and wiring before I came down with a severe case of butt-freeze-itis. But for the Savage, the rest should be just as Oldnewguy describes. For my DRZ There will be some cutting and splicing to do. But the principle is the same.. pass +12V through the flasher to the handlebar switch, which sends it to either the left or right signals. |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by babyhog on 01/08/10 at 10:15:06 2D203A232A3B2E3D2B4F0 wrote:
:-* :-* :-* Thank ya! Just don't go freezin off that pretty little butt of yours! I want new signals, but haven't decided on any in particular. Anybody have any suggestions?? |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Boule’tard on 01/08/10 at 11:04:10 See? I got kissies from babyhog :D But back to technical.. the signals I got are called "MOTO LED Flasher Type 602" by DRC Hardware. They also come in clear and orange lenses. http://www.drcproducts.com/elect/D45-60-207/all_image/pv01.jpg There are a few more styles to browse on the wheelingcyclesupply site, but most are the dualsport variety.. |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Oldnewguy on 01/15/10 at 07:52:11 The part number for that unit at superbrightleds is LF1-S-FLAT for $8.95. Sorry about the pics babyhog, but my head was just not working that day. 8-) |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by babyhog on 01/15/10 at 10:06:12 Thanks, Oldnewguy. If I'm lucky, I might get around to relocating my signals under the license plate, but I probably won't get around to converting to LED anyway. |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Tiefighterpilot on 04/06/10 at 20:43:42 Where does this plug into? where to the rear turn signal plug in? sorry i am super newb to electronics and bikes. |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signal Information (moved from RSD) Post by Oldnewguy on 04/07/10 at 04:11:56 Sitting the bike the turn signal module is about at your right knee or a little forward. It is square, black and in a rubber holder. This is a direct replacement for thr OEM unit. Put a little tape on the connector, it fits a little loose. I am not sure, but you may have to pull the tank to get to it. I don't remember. :) |
|
Title: Re: LED turn signals require different flasher mod Post by HoustonBussa on 07/09/14 at 06:12:59 I hate to be a dead thread resurrecter, but just FYI, to fix this issue with a stock flasher unit, you have to put in a resistor that runs parallel with the LED flasher. This is to simulate the resistance given by a regular bulb. (i.e. why your flasher flash faster when a bulb is out). 50W 60 ohm. But I've done this on cars and it's currently done on my Hayabusa. You will want to get a ceramic encased one or an audio quality (http://www.amazon.com/Resistors-Signal-License-Warning-Cancellor/dp/B004EDF8HY for example) one which is ceramic encased and then has a heat sink on top of that. The flasher AND the resistor are both tied to the positive and negative lead of power source wires. Now THAT said and done, there is no power save benefit given as it will draw as much as a light bulb. But unless you go LED all the way around (front and rear) and go to a low impedance flashing unit, then you're probably more doing it for the look. Not that a flasher should really be a solution for electrical power consumption issues. |-----LED----| | | |--Resistor--| | | (+) (-) |
|
SuzukiSavage.com » Powered by YaBB 2.2! YaBB © 2000-2007. All Rights Reserved. |