Author Topic: Location of flasher relay 4 my 78 CB550?  (Read 9095 times)

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Offline hansi

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Re: Location of flasher relay 4 my 78 CB550?
« Reply #25 on: March 14, 2022, 04:13:08 PM »
Yeah but this is what my regulator rectifier upgrade has plugged into. So now there is no place for the flasher

Your combined reg/rec should not use any of the wires that are for the flasher. If it did then you have it wired wrong. You need to add some photos of the wires under your left side cover.
yes, this is the conclusion I came to today. It was totally wired wrong. I forgot to remove the OLD regulator and attach the new wires to the harness where the old one was removed. I feel SUPER dumb, but it's sussed out now. Now i just have to figure out how to properly wire the turn signals...for some reason they just turn on and don't flash...

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Location of flasher relay 4 my 78 CB550?
« Reply #26 on: March 14, 2022, 06:54:06 PM »
Are you using regular bulbs or LED
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline hansi

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Re: Location of flasher relay 4 my 78 CB550?
« Reply #27 on: March 15, 2022, 01:03:11 PM »
LEDS

Offline bryanj

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Re: Location of flasher relay 4 my 78 CB550?
« Reply #28 on: March 15, 2022, 01:44:30 PM »
Then you need a special led flasher unit and if you have only 1 repeater bulb dont wire it up
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline hansi

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Re: Location of flasher relay 4 my 78 CB550?
« Reply #29 on: March 15, 2022, 03:14:40 PM »
Got one of these but do I need a different one u think?
https://4into1.com/12v-electronic-turn-signal-flasher-relay-led-2-prong/

Offline hansi

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Re: Location of flasher relay 4 my 78 CB550?
« Reply #30 on: March 15, 2022, 03:16:57 PM »
Then you need a special led flasher unit and if you have only 1 repeater bulb dont wire it up
sorry but I’m not sure what you mean by not wiring up a repeater bulb

Offline bryanj

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Re: Location of flasher relay 4 my 78 CB550?
« Reply #31 on: March 15, 2022, 06:02:32 PM »
On the arly fours there is a dash panel with oil, neutral.flash, main(red,green,yellow,blue) the yellow indicator repeater has 1 wire to each side indicator and if you connect it with led bulbs all 4 will light up whichever way you put the switch
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline hansi

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Re: Location of flasher relay 4 my 78 CB550?
« Reply #32 on: March 15, 2022, 06:43:59 PM »
Duuuuude. You just solved my issue. I was wondering why it was doing that. Thanks!!!!

Offline Bodi

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Re: Location of flasher relay 4 my 78 CB550?
« Reply #33 on: March 15, 2022, 06:52:48 PM »
The signal lamp on the idiot light panel is wired ... oddly? ... when there's only one. Some bikes (ie 400-4) have two, one for each direction.
With one, they wire the indicator between the two signal circuits. So when one is on, it powers the other side through the tiny indicator bulb. That bulb only takes a tiny current compared to the two signal bulbs so it lights up bright while the signal lamps barely warm up, they don't light at all.
With LEDs that little bulb easily passes enough current to light the two LEDS in the signals, but not enough to light itself. So all four signals light up when flashing but not the indicator (maybe very dimly).
Two fixes:
1- add load resistors to the signal circuits. This lets the electromechanical OEM flasher work normally as there's enough current to make it flash, and the indicator will work as expected.
2 - add two diodes (ie IN4000) in the idiot light circuit, grounding one wire from it and having the two diodes inserted in each wire from the signals connecting to the other wire to the bulb, each diode with its ring end pointing towards the idiot light. You will need either an "LED flasher" - expensive usually from bike shops - or a cheap Autozone electronic 3 terminal flasher with a ground terminal. Note there are other types of 3 terminal flashers with no ground terminal which will just blow your fuse if tried.
If you're trying to save power and improve charging: LED signals aren't going to do much at all. You'll only be saving power while signalling when the signals are flashed on.  What's that? 0.0001% of riding time? So the load resistors won't hurt your charging. If you really like the instant on and instant off flashing with LEDs that may be more attention grabbing, either the resistors or the diodes will work for you. The front marker lights going to LED will save power as they're on whenever low beam headlight is on.