Topic: led signals

[cb650 bobber]

if I run led signals on my bike can i hook them up the same a standard bulb or do I need something else between them to make the leds work on 1980 cb650.

[eurban]

If you use all LED turn signals you will need a flasher relay that is designed to work with the extremely low current draw of LED bulbs.  However, if for instance, you used LED signals up front but regular bulbs in back, then the standard flasher relay should work.  Was that your question?

[cb650 bobber]

I have standards in the front was thinking of led's in the back would it work without a relay.

[eurban]

The stock setup uses a mechanical relay to flash the turn signals.  I presume that this is what you currently have.  This type of relay should work as long as one set of turn signals is using standard filament type bulbs.  It does not matter whether the LED signals are at the front or the back.

[cb650 bobber]

THANKS....i WILL HAVE TO GET SOME AND SEE IF THEY WORK.

[Steve F]

The stock setup uses a mechanical relay to flash the turn signals.  I presume that this is what you currently have.  This type of relay should work as long as one set of turn signals is using standard filament type bulbs.  It does not matter whether the LED signals are at the front or the back.

What matters is the total wattage per side.  If the flasher is rated for maybe 50 watts, and you stick LED's in the rear, the wattage will drop too much for a stock flasher to work.  They require current through the flasher unit to heat up a bi-metal strip causing it to flash.  An electronic flasher typically will flash with ANY load attached, and is not current sensitive in that rescect.  Go with an electronic flasher and you'll be fine.  For some electronic flashers, you may have to attach a third grounding lead for the electronics inside the flasher to operate, but most bikes already have the green ground wire just hanging there waiting to be used.

[MRieck]

 I have Kellermann LED's on the back of my busa. I used the 8.2 OHM resistors from Spiegler (7.00 each). They are not your garden variety resistor you get from Radio Shack. Works perfectly with stock relay.  http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/kellermann.cfm?category=M1000SP

[hapsh]

I replaced all my turn signals with LED units.  They work just the same as before and I didn't have to change the flasher.  The have built-in resistors.  I would just try them and see if they work.

I have Kellermann LED's on the back of my busa. I used the 8.2 OHM resistors from Spiegler (7.00 each). They are not your garden variety resistor you get from Radio Shack. Works perfectly with stock relay.  http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/kellermann.cfm?category=M1000SP

I don't understand why you need to used expensive resistors.  It shouldn't make any difference as long as the resistance is reasonably close and the wattage rating is close.  The resister is just used for current limiting for the LED.

[trobbins]

I replaced all my turn signals with LED units.  They work just the same as before and I didn't have to change the flasher.  The have built-in resistors.  I would just try them and see if they work.

I have Kellermann LED's on the back of my busa. I used the 8.2 OHM resistors from Spiegler (7.00 each). They are not your garden variety resistor you get from Radio Shack. Works perfectly with stock relay.  http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/kellermann.cfm?category=M1000SP

I don't understand why you need to used expensive resistors.  It shouldn't make any difference as long as the resistance is reasonably close and the wattage rating is close.  The resister is just used for current limiting for the LED.

You resistor is in series with the LED, limiting current. I suspect his larger resistor is in parallel with the LED (and maybe another, smaller resistor). Its a dummy load to allow enough current to flow throught the flasher so it can function properly.

Tim

[jjwaller]

MRieck said:
have Kellermann LED's on the back of my busa. I used the 8.2 OHM resistors from Spiegler (7.00 each). They are not your garden variety resistor you get from Radio Shack. Works perfectly with stock relay.  http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/kellermann.cfm?category=M1000SP

That depends on how the resister is used in the circuit.
The majority of automotive LED's that come with resistors are used to dump more current to ground to enable
the old thermal flashers to work!  In other words, switching to that kind of LED does not save
any power.  The resistor drops the extra current to make the flasher work.  The only thing gained by this set-up is life-span of the bulb unit.  LED's last vastly longer than incandescents.
Switch to electronic flasher!  Best 2 minute upgrade I ever did to any bike.  On my 750 F the needed ground wire was already there.  Plug and play.  I'll never go back.

John

[MRieck]

I wasn't looking to save charging power on the busa...it's a modern charging system. Just saying what it took to get the flasher rate down. 7.00 a pop isn't much in my mind especially when you see the units. Nice folks at Spiegler too.

[Steve F]

MRieck said:
have Kellermann LED's on the back of my busa. I used the 8.2 OHM resistors from Spiegler (7.00 each). They are not your garden variety resistor you get from Radio Shack. Works perfectly with stock relay.  http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/kellermann.cfm?category=M1000SP

That depends on how the resister is used in the circuit.
The majority of automotive LED's that come with resistors are used to dump more current to ground to enable
the old thermal flashers to work!  In other words, switching to that kind of LED does not save
any power.  The resistor drops the extra current to make the flasher work.  The only thing gained by this set-up is life-span of the bulb unit.  LED's last vastly longer than incandescents.
Switch to electronic flasher!  Best 2 minute upgrade I ever did to any bike.  On my 750 F the needed ground wire was already there.  Plug and play.  I'll never go back.

John

+1    I put in LED's to save power for the important things like running 3 ohm coils and a halogen headlight.  Dump resistors defeat the purpose.

[eurban]

I have LED signals both front and back with no resistors installed.  The "regular" electronic flasher relay that I had been using did not work when I switched to the LED signals.  I eventually purchased one that specifically said it was designed for use with LED signals and it works well.  In my experience, not all electronic flasher relays are suitable. . . Using LED signals is not going to save you much electrical juice, as they are used so rarely.  If you want or need to keep their dual function as marker lights (you would then need to buy dual level units) then they can reduce energy consumption.  Obviously, switching to LED brake and tailights can also reduce consumption. . . . .I have yet to find LED signals that are as bright as the stock signals.  Nice LED signals are often pretty expensive too. Basically, don't swap to LEDs for brighter signaling.  Do it for looks, reduced energy consumption (only if you are also using them as markers), and perhaps weight savings.