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Message started by JoTheSavage on 04/01/20 at 01:08:43

Title: Complete LED Conversion
Post by JoTheSavage on 04/01/20 at 01:08:43

Hi all, I want to covert all lighting to LED but with very little electrical experience, I just wanted to check exactly what I will need. Please comment if I am wrong, but here is what I think I need...

4 x LED turn signals (I want to replace all turn signals), 1 x LED compatible 2-pin flasher relay (for said turn signals) , LED headlight bulb (keeping existing housing), LED tail light bulb (keeping existing housing).

Is there anything else I need? Thanks!

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by kamelryttarn on 04/01/20 at 01:31:04

If you aim to replace ALL bulbs you also should convert the indicator lights for turn signals, neutral and high beam, all located in the speedo.

I also want to convert the entire bike to LED but finding E-approved LED lights for all position to make it road legal in Sweden turns out to be both problematic and expensive. Then there is the matter of reduced load on the regulator/rectifier that MAY have to be addressed. The jury is still out on this ;)

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Armen on 04/01/20 at 09:25:56

I used the LED H4 headlight bulb sold by ADV Monster. Only one I've found that will fit in a normal headlight bucket.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by JoTheSavage on 04/01/20 at 12:17:33

Do you have a link to the specific bulb so I can see if there is the equivalent available in the UK? Thanks.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Armen on 04/01/20 at 19:33:44

Hi Jo
This is it.

http://stores.advmonster.com/native-h4r2/#ProductReviews

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by JoTheSavage on 04/02/20 at 11:28:11

Thanks Armen

Did you go LED for everything? if so, do you also have recommendations for the rest of the bulbs?

Ta x

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Armen on 04/02/20 at 20:29:43

Hi Jo,
None of my bike electrics are stock except the alternator and ignition. I'm using Rizoma LED turn signals, and a one piece tail/brake light.
On your bike, it's prob pretty easy to source 1156 and 1157 LED bulbs. On other bikes, I've just gone to the auto parts store or a department store and bought LED bulbs. You'll prob have to change the turn signal flasher.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Berzerker on 04/04/20 at 08:04:53

It's my understanding that putting resisters in line, sometime multiple resisters on same load, will help dissipate any access in the form of heat. That said resisters get HOT so location of resister is VERRY important. I've converted to all LED all new housings except headlight, but did put a led bulb in headlight. I also switched to lifePo 4 lithium ion battery witch as well doesn't need as much current or voltage to charge it. I put a led flasher relay with adjustable resistance knob on it and everything worked fine, at first, after wireing it all up and testing it with it pulling off the lithium battery it all worked great, once I started the bike and test lights while the bike was running things started not working correctly, hyper flashing, no flashing, dimming. I put inline resisters and all is working again. Also made some mods to get better air flow over R/R just incase, haven't tested it long term yet just a couple short rides then had some engine trouble so pulled motor out and working on it as we speak.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Dave on 04/04/20 at 17:39:14

My bike is all LED. The turn signals work fine with the electronic flasher module, the headlight is currently a Cyclops in an 8" headlight (Virago 920). My voltage regulator/rectifier is mounted to a steel plate that acts as the fender along the back frame rails.

I have ridden about 12,000 miles with this set up - no problems so far. I have ridden in 95 degree summer weather regularly. I tend to ride on 50 - 60 mph rides with the engine at 3,500 - 4,000 rpm. Although I may ride all day long - there usually are stops every hour to see scenery or get something to drink. Most day ride are 100 miles - group rides down to TN/NC I sometimes rides 300 mile days.

Maybe if you rode at interstate speeds for long hours in hot weather you could overheat the system.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by JoTheSavage on 04/05/20 at 02:14:45

Thank you everyone for your replies, they are really helping. If you could include any links to parts you used for the LED conversion, I'd really appreciate it. That way I can find what I need here in the UK.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by srinath on 04/05/20 at 07:21:05

516A6770616D76706B636E71020 wrote:

Maybe if you rode at interstate speeds for long hours in hot weather you could overheat the system.

No you would not. Now in the old days of say 2000 or earlier, LED's were not meant to be run longer than 16 hrs at a stretch. In fact I have a few led light panels I build inside cigar boxes with that kind of setup eons ago. It has a switch that lights up when off or on. After 15+ yrs of use nothing has blown out, the switch stays on whenever its plugged in. I've never unplugged it at this point in 4 yrs.
However the LED's of the newer generation do not have any problem running for days.
Also a headlight sees so much air that hits it, it will never run any warmer than ambient.
The electrical system makes most of its current at about 3K rpm. You run it at 3K and it will be the most voltage and current. Past that the system uses more for its spark and you get lower current output.
So I'd pretty much say your LED setup will simply work like a swiss watch pretty much forever.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Bubba on 04/08/20 at 09:13:51

6F5C434B402E0 wrote:

Hi Jo
This is it.

http://stores.advmonster.com/native-h4r2/#ProductReviews

Armen, Does this bulb use the same clip mount arrangement as the standard bulb? Is it just plug and play?
Did you have to modify anything to make it fit?
Thanks!

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Armen on 04/08/20 at 12:42:26

Standard H-4 clip arrangement.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Bubba on 04/08/20 at 12:55:28

Thanks! I think I'm going to go ahead and get it...I'd thought about going to LED previously but the size of most of the units I looked at looked like modifications galore to the standard bucket...if this one plops in I'm golden...going to get an LED tail light too. Signals, I'm not to worried about.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by JoTheSavage on 04/08/20 at 14:16:56

Bubba, If you're going for a tail light bulb that fits the stock unit, can you post the link to it please? I'd like to keep my original headlight and tail light units and upgrade to LED bulbs and then find complete replacement units for my turn signals.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Bubba on 04/08/20 at 14:21:44

This is the one they recommended...I told them I wanted to keep my stock housing...so we'll see if it works out...fingers crossed
https://stores.advmonster.com/1157-shorty-led-bulb/

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Armen on 04/08/20 at 15:06:15

Bubba
Interesting. That says 7w tail/8 watts brake.
A stock 1157 incandescent uses less than that on tail light only.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Bubba on 04/08/20 at 15:21:05

yeah...I figured it wouldn't get me a savings in power but hoping brighter?
Power savings is not my end game really and it was there so why not?

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Dave on 04/11/20 at 04:04:23

7D4A5D5D5E0E0F070C3F0 wrote:

Power savings is not my end game really and it was there so why not?

Saving power is not really possible on this bike, as the charging system always puts out the same amount of power - any power you don't use is just wasted as heat by the regulator/rectifier. (An exception to this might be if you are trying to free up some power to run heated grips or heated clothing).

A brighter headlight is definitely a valid goal - the stock headlight puts out a crappy amount of light. The stock turns signals and tail light are actually pretty good and easily seen - a lot of the cheaper LED replacements put out less visible light and are hard to see in daylight or direct sun. I have followed motorcycles with replacement LED tail/turn signal lights that are nearly invisible in the daylight. You need bright tail/turn signal lights to get the attention of other traffic - they won't be staring at your tail light....but instead are likely looking elsewhere and you need to get their attention. Don't be fooled by the fact that you might be able to see your lights flashing when the bike is in your garage or driveway and you are looking right at it......take it out in the sunshine, get back 200 feet and look away a bit - and you should be able to see the light flashing with your peripheral vision.

Title: Re: Complete LED Conversion
Post by Bubba on 04/15/20 at 07:29:33

Thanks Dave,
Well I got the new "Native H4R2" lamp (https://stores.advmonster.com/native-h4r2/) in the bucket and replaced the tail/brake light with the LED I bought. As far as the performance the LED headlamp is crazy!
Super bright, perfect fit in the stock headlight housing and the beam pattern is just about perfect.

I did notice that when on low beam there is noticeable "notch" right in the top center of the beam but really it may have been the same on the stock bulb but just not noticeable because the stock light was so dim.

As far as the tail/brake light I wasn't as impressed. It's fine but not as bright as the stock 1157 bulb...especially when applying the brake. I may just switch it back to stock but the jury is still out on that since I only was able to go out for 10 minutes last night (35 degrees).

I can always use the new one in one of my vintage 2 stroke mopeds if I decide to go back so not a total loss.