Topic: Replacement flasher relay for '81 CB650c

[kslrr]

I picked up a new 3 wire flasher relay yesterday and have no idea what the tab labels mean. P, L, X?  The original flasher was missing and the PO had cut the wires.  I found 3 wires, even though the wiring diagram for an '81 CB650 custom indicates a 2 wire flasher, and crimped on new connectors.  Now I am thinking the PO had installed a harness from Nighthawk.  Anyways, what do I do with P, L, and X?

Thanks.

[mark]

X is the power lead(black?), L is for the load(gray?), P is for pilot and you can leave that one alone.

[kslrr]

Thanks Mark.  So why does it have 3 connectors?  There is no ground?  What is the Pilot for?

[Bodi]

There are 2 types of 3-terminal flashers.
The type you have has power in, a signal light load terminal and another terminal for the dash indicator light... no ground. Why? jeez, ask whoever designed the car it was made for. They are mostly for cars with a single "turn" idiot light rather than the more common separate left and right dashboard indicators. Mechanical ones start "ON, electronic ones start "OFF" - I personally like flashers that start "ON" so the turn indicator lights instantly when I slide the switch. Mechanical ones will not work with low-current LED lamps, electronic ones might (but might not).
The other type has power, ground, and load terminals. The electronic ones will work with low-current LED lights (but will usually flash rapidly with LEDs). Most start "ON" although I have seen one that started "OFF".

[HenrikPoulsen]

Hey

Im just having the same trouble with my bike (650 nighthawk) at first I plugged it in L=ground X=12v and P=signal from swich.

But that just blew out the fuse, no wonder since its not ment for ground.

Do you think the relay is dead because of this?
And can I just wire the thing up without the ground wire, or do I have to alter something to use this relay with a bike thats made for 3-legged relay?

regards
Henrik

[Laminar]

Hey

Im just having the same trouble with my bike (650 nighthawk) at first I plugged it in L=ground X=12v and P=signal from swich.

But that just blew out the fuse, no wonder since its not ment for ground.

Do you think the relay is dead because of this?
And can I just wire the thing up without the ground wire, or do I have to alter something to use this relay with a bike thats made for 3-legged relay?

regards
Henrik

I wired in a new Bussmann 760 electronic flasher to my 550 Nighthawk. The X, I, and L spades on the Bussmann flasher connect to the White/Green, Green, and Gray wires, respectively.

[HenrikPoulsen]

Hey

Im just having the same trouble with my bike (650 nighthawk) at first I plugged it in L=ground X=12v and P=signal from swich.

But that just blew out the fuse, no wonder since its not ment for ground.

Do you think the relay is dead because of this?
And can I just wire the thing up without the ground wire, or do I have to alter something to use this relay with a bike thats made for 3-legged relay?

regards
Henrik

I wired in a new Bussmann 760 electronic flasher to my 550 Nighthawk. The X, I, and L spades on the Bussmann flasher connect to the White/Green, Green, and Gray wires, respectively.

Thanks, but unfourtunately my relay has the following spades x p L so its of the type described above

Henrik

[Laminar]

Thanks, but unfourtunately my relay has the following spades x p L so its of the type described above

Henrik

Well to find that configuration I tried every possible connection combination documenting my steps along the way, but I never blew a fuse.

[HenrikPoulsen]

Just went by the garage yesterday (its 5 miles from my home and im only riding a bike at the moment, so its not every day I go over there)

Hooked up the flasher relay omitting the P leg and the ground wire, and hey everything worked like a  charm

Henrik