Author Topic: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!  (Read 2158 times)

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Offline cainge

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CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« on: April 26, 2012, 09:01:18 AM »
So I have been trying to perform an LED conversion for the running/turn/brake lights on a CB650sc.  The tail light worked out beautifully, but I am having trouble with the turn signals.  I am using LED fixtures, not just bulbs.  Only one combination of wiring allows the running lights to function, but the turn function only interrupts (shuts off) the running lights.  They do not flash.  I am on my third LED relay with still no success.

I am pretty sure i am missing something here concerning the nature of the wiring circuit, polarity, or something.  This is the last thing I need to complete to put this bike on the road.  I need help from someone with some wiring know-how for these bikes.

A secondary question to this is that the original relay (non-led) was a 2 prong.  Yet, there is a third (green) wire at the relay point.  I realize it is a ground of a sort, and the voltage is much higher with it as a factor, but not sure whether I sshould be using it or not.

Cheers

Offline phil71

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2012, 10:24:40 AM »
what relay are you using exactly?

Offline cainge

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #2 on: April 27, 2012, 03:33:11 AM »
This time around I am using a 3 prong.  Does the brand matter?

Offline trueblue

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #3 on: April 27, 2012, 03:52:06 AM »
You can get 2 prong electronic relays that works perfectly with LED's ;)  other than that the 3rd prong needs to go to ground.
« Last Edit: April 27, 2012, 03:54:56 AM by trueblue »
1979 CB650Z
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Offline phil71

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2012, 06:48:48 AM »
You need a solid state flasher.. The original electro mechanical one won't work with LEDs

Offline xsmooth69x

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #5 on: April 27, 2012, 07:32:54 PM »
im about to do this same thing..... what is a solid state flasher? and which one do we need?
1975 CB550 (FINISHED?!?!?)
first motorcycle ever!!! ow and i dont know how to ride it either :D

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Offline cainge

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #6 on: April 27, 2012, 07:36:32 PM »
Thank you guys for your replies.  I especially like the diagram, it explains it perfectly.  At the same time it also makes me more perplexed because I have it wired just like the diagram and am using LED rated relays.

What's more, is now I tried going back to my original lights and they too do not work.

I am having a thought... I wonder if it is the digital speedo/tach I installed.  Maybe the signal doesn't pass through it correctly.  I will try bypassing it and see if it makes a difference.

I'll let you know.  Cheers.

Offline cainge

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2012, 07:58:14 PM »
TrueBlue: The diagram doesn't quite cover the idea that the front signals are connected to a solid orange and striped orange on front and a solid orange and ground in the rear.  If the solid orange is the turn lead (because it is at both front and rear) then what is the striped lead?  Same for blue (right).

Offline trueblue

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2012, 09:38:19 PM »
The striped wires are for the front running lights and are only needed if these are to be used, the origional front lights used a twin fillament bulb, so there was effectively 2 seperate circuits.  Another thing to remember is the LED's are polarity sensitive, whereas a standard bulb isn't, LED's will only work if they are connected positive to positive and earth to earth unlike a standard bulb which will work both ways.  I'm pretty certain that the origionals are earthed through the frame, not the harness, my 650z was anyway (I fixed that).  You need to hook one wire into the solid orange or blue depending on which side, and one wire to ground, ignore the striped wires, if you want to run front running lights then you will need a set of lights on the front with 2 seperate circuits.  If you run both the striped and solid wires to the front signals then it will cause issues.  LED's are much more sensitive to bad connections and stray currents than conventional bulbs.
1979 CB650Z
Nothing can be idiot proofed, the world keeps producing better idiots.
Electronic Guages for your SOHC 4

Offline cainge

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2012, 07:31:25 AM »
Thanks True, I was thinking the exact same thing.  So I am going to connect to the solid wire and ground on the front (which will make it like the rear).  It doesn't have to be the same ground lead as the rear does it?

Now, the way I have it currently wired (connected to both circuits) turns both front and rears into running lights.  I am guessing that this is because the power from the striped lead is feeding through yes?  I have been trying to find a config that lights them up all 4 and then interrupts them.  But it seems this is the wrong approach.  Rather, I should be looking for them to NOT be lit up, but flash on signal, and install running lights separate.  Is that right?

C

Offline Deltarider

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2012, 07:37:27 AM »
If you don't mind me asking, why do you change your bulbs for Leds?
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Offline cainge

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2012, 08:20:16 AM »
Hi Delta,

So when I got the bike I felt like the stance was a little confused.  Essentially I felt like I wanted to lean forward a little but couldn't due to the cruiser-style handlebars.  So I decided to make a number of changes to convert the bike into something with a more sporty feel to match its sporty 4 cylinder performance.  And seeing that the nighthawk wasn't the quintescential cb motorcycle I didn't feel too bad taking it away from being original.

As to your question, I didn't just replace bulbs, I chopped bars, changed headlights, moved the wiring and ignition, changed the gauges the tail light and the lighting fixtures.  Everything has worked out beautifully except the blinkers.  And it appears that it is because I am trying to use both the running and flash circuits simultaneously.  Wiring is not my strength, mechanics is.  Anyways, I am attaching a picture of the bikes current state so you can all see what you are helping me with.  The blinkers on front are in the mirrors and on the rear are bullet-bike style attached to the plastic of the fender.

Cheers

Offline cainge

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2012, 11:31:32 AM »
True,s

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.  I now have blinking lights all the way around and can complete my conversion thanks to your insights.  Cheers.

Offline trueblue

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Re: CB650sc LED conversion. Help!!!
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2012, 05:21:15 PM »
no worries mate, I'm glad I could be of some help
1979 CB650Z
Nothing can be idiot proofed, the world keeps producing better idiots.
Electronic Guages for your SOHC 4