Author Topic: New Electronic LED Flasher - incandescent bulbs flash, LED bulbs don't (Read 8480 times)

Chachi · « **on:** August 30, 2015, 09:49:00 AM »

I have aftermarket (K&S) mini turn signal/marker lights with incandescent bulbs. I got LED bulbs from superbrightleds.com. 1157 up front (running lights) and 1156 in rear (turn signal only). They are the correct LED replacement bulbs for the signals.

I installed this LED flasher: https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/flashers-load-resistors/lf1-s-pin-universal-motorcycle-electronic-flasher/193/841/

The flasher works with incandescent bulbs, but not LED bulbs. The LEDs light up, but don't flash or trigger the flash beeper (the audible turn signal noise maker). The 1157s do get brighter up front, but just stay solid and don't flash. I cut the ends of the flasher unit off to install male terminal spades to mate up to existing female connectors in wiring harness. I tried it with bike running and not running - same result.

What am I missing?

RAFster122s · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2015, 10:24:19 AM »

Reverse the wires on your connection with the bike's black going to grey and the bike's grey going to black.
You may need a diode since you have a single indicator lamp for both right and left turn dignals in the cluster.

David

CB500_k2 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2015, 10:50:10 AM »

I had to install an electronic flasher for my LED signals to work. LEDs do not draw enough power for a conventional flasher to work properly. I believe you can get one at Superbright.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2015, 11:53:12 AM »

I have an LED flasher unit that I'm not using anymore. You're welcome to have it. Let a brother know.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2015, 01:47:47 PM »

Chachi,
Your particular flasher needs wired as I said in an earlier post. Read the feedback/comments on the Superbright site and you will see this mentioned by a few SOHC owners.
David

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2015, 02:20:49 PM »

Looks like there's two thing going on. One is he needs a flasher unit for the LEDs to flash. Also he needs to wire in two 1N4001 diodes like RAF said. But only if he's using a single signal indicator to indicate left and right. Otherwise they're wired separately.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2015, 02:46:27 PM »

He installed the LED flasher that he linked. So, reversing the wires for the flasher will get it flashing but, he's still going to have a issue with a single turn indicator and will need to install a diode to get it all working right. You are correct Dave, there are two issues.
David

Duanob · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2015, 03:13:35 PM »

Sounds like a PITA. I just did the LED bulbs and used this flasher relay with ground:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171827469131?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Works like a charm, no diodes, correct flash cadence. It was half the price of an EP-34 flasher relay I bought at NAPA that was hyper-flashing my new LEDs.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:04:03 PM »

Quote from: RAF122S on August 30, 2015, 02:46:27 PM

He installed the LED flasher that he linked. So, reversing the wires for the flasher will get it flashing but, he's still going to have a issue with a single turn indicator and will need to install a diode to get it all working right. You are correct Dave, there are two issues.
David

Oh right, haha. Missed that part where he actually linked to the flasher...

flybox1 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2015, 05:02:43 PM »

Quote from: Duanob on August 30, 2015, 03:13:35 PM

Sounds like a PITA. I just did the LED bulbs and used this flasher relay with ground:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171827469131?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Works like a charm, no diodes, correct flash cadence. It was half the price of an EP-34 flasher relay I bought at NAPA that was hyper-flashing my new LEDs.

+1
I ordered two to make the sbipping worthwhile

Chachi · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2015, 05:57:10 PM »

I did have to reverse the gray and black to get it to work. And again, works fine with incandescent, but LEDs don't flash. I've re-read the comments here, but not sure where it leaves me. I thought this unit was plug-and-play with LED bulbs?

>>
You may need a diode since you have a single indicator lamp for both right and left turn signals in the cluster.

As opposed to what? Sorry, not following this.

Chachi · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2015, 06:18:44 AM »

So that other flasher in the eBay listing... that is plug and play with LED signal bulbs and nothing else needed? I assumed the one I got from superbright was... apparently not. Any others to compare from auto parts stores vs. the eBay listing? Bike is 750 K3. Original flasher is two prong. What connects to the third prong? I have a spare red and green female connector floating around in there.

flybox1 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2015, 06:52:35 AM »

your green is ground, and connects to the third prong on the flasher.
There are also flasher relays on ebay with a dial for flash tempo, if you are so inclined

Chachi · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2015, 07:35:31 AM »

Was it a bad assumption on my part about the superbright flasher doing what the three prong electronic flashers do, or is that common knowledge? I'd rather have one thing that does it all vs. adding diodes to my superbright flasher. I'll probably order the eBay three prong unless I get impatient and go to Napa and pay up for that one.

What is the point of the superbright flasher? Or does it just not work properly with my set up?

And for the three prong... which is B, L and E?

evanphi · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2015, 08:33:54 AM »

I don't know why you flasher isn't working... I ordered all my LEDs and flasher from superbright, and they work just fine. Didn't have to install a relay.

Try disconnecting the buzzer.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2015, 08:34:41 AM »

Unless I'm mistaken, the flasher has nothing to do with adding diodes. Diodes are needed with LED if you have one signal indicator on your dash. It's easy to wire up and those diodes can be had for a dollar or two.

Or DCC sells it for pretty cheap. http://www.dimecitycycles.com/inline-diode-kit.html

rotortiller · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2015, 08:44:03 AM »

bingo

Quote

Unless I'm mistaken, the flasher has nothing to do with adding diodes. Diodes are needed with LED if you have one signal indicator on your dash. It's easy to wire up and those diodes can be had for a dollar or two.

evanphi · « **Reply #17 on:** August 31, 2015, 09:27:31 AM »

Quote from: DaveBarbier on August 31, 2015, 08:34:41 AM

Unless I'm mistaken, the flasher has nothing to do with adding diodes. Diodes are needed with LED if you have one signal indicator on your dash. It's easy to wire up and those diodes can be had for a dollar or two.

Or DCC sells it for pretty cheap. http://www.dimecitycycles.com/inline-diode-kit.html

Good point. Chiachi, try disconnecting the dash bulbs and see if your LEDs flash.

In my case I have individual dash lights for my indicators L/R. Probably why I didn't need a diode.

Chachi · « **Reply #18 on:** August 31, 2015, 10:08:11 AM »

I have single turn light in dash. So... will the three prong version work or have the same issue that I'm having now?

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #19 on:** August 31, 2015, 11:12:39 AM »

So your problem is that the signals won't flash, right? Not sure if that's a lack of a diode issue. You will still need to wire them in but I don't know why your signals won't flash. Maybe a bad/incorrect relay? I have no idea.

But I was bored and drew up how the diodes need to be wired. Not sure if you need help but my bread is toasting and I had nothing to do.

Chachi · « **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2015, 07:27:38 PM »

Ok. To exhaust a few things and give a few more details.

-If I remove the single dash turn signal bulb, LED signal bulbs don't flash but they light up properly;
-With single dash turn signal bulb in, LED signals don't flash and also do not light up properly - the opposite side light 'bleeds over' (it lights up, but not as bright as the signal selected);
-Flasher works as it should with incandescent (even just incandescent in front only and LED in rear).

Will the three prong EP34 flasher unit result in anything different than the flasher I have? I want to run LED signals, I have a single dash signal bulb and I don't want to wire diodes.

jonda500 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 01, 2015, 02:38:56 AM »

You can't run led signal bulbs and a single dash light without diodes - the single dash light is hooked up to both the left and right indicator circuits and returns to earth through the bulb filaments.
-e.g. when you turn the left blinker on the power runs through the dash light, through the right side indicator circuit and through the RH blinker bulb filaments to earth. The dash light bulb is only ~3 watts so the amount of current passing through the right side blinkers is insufficient to light them up... UNLESS you have led bulbs!

I am sorry to say you must have bought a dud LED flasher unit, John

Chachi · « **Reply #22 on:** September 01, 2015, 10:51:34 AM »

At least I'm learning something. Why replace the flasher unit? Is it not behaving as it should with a single dash bulb? Or should the flasher work with LED bulbs if I remove the single dash bulb itself?

Duanob · « **Reply #23 on:** September 01, 2015, 11:03:48 AM »

Quote from: DaveBarbier on August 31, 2015, 11:12:39 AM

But I was bored and drew up how the diodes need to be wired. Not sure if you need help but my bread is toasting and I had nothing to do.

Constructive boredom? I love it!

I'm not familiar with the single indicator light and LED signal flasher hook ups but this diagram looks like the ticket. My two signal light dashboard works perfect with just the new flasher relay.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #24 on:** September 01, 2015, 12:23:11 PM »

Quote from: Chachi on September 01, 2015, 10:51:34 AM

At least I'm learning something. Why replace the flasher unit? Is it not behaving as it should with a single dash bulb? Or should the flasher work with LED bulbs if I remove the single dash bulb itself?

It's been said, but the fact that you need to wire in diodes has NOTHING to do with your current problem. It seems to me, and I guess others (which is weird because I'm usually wrong) is that your flasher unit isn't working properly. That's why the lights aren't flashing. When you eventually get the flasher unit working, then without wiring in diodes you'll find that ALL blinkers flash no matter the direction you choose. That problem will be fixed with diodes.

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Author Topic: New Electronic LED Flasher - incandescent bulbs flash, LED bulbs don't (Read 8480 times)