Topic: LED Turn Signal Indicator Wiring Question

[Owned]

Moving this from the project thread....Need advice:

I'm trying to wire in a single LED turn indicator and wanted to know if my proposed solution is the answer...



Stock Configuration:

Right +Signal Lt.Blue-----------------------  (Incandescent Bulb)
Left +Signal Orange---------------------
         

LED Configuration (?)  Will this work?

Right+Signal Lt.Blue------------diode #1----|
                                                                  |  Connect to + LED Lead
Left  +Signal Orange-----------diode #2----|

Green (ground)-----------------------------------  Connect to - LED Lead

[phil71]

That ought do it, but they won't flash anymore, unless you replace the stock winked with a solid-state one.

[johnrdupree]

This is only for the idiot light, correct?  That looks like it will work, but you need to make sure you have a 12v capable LED or add limiting resistors in line with the diodes.  Test all of this with a volt meter first, obviously.

If you have incandescent bulbs on the corners you might be able to get away with a thermal flasher.  If you have LEDs on the corners you'll need a solid state flasher.

~john

[Owned]

That ought do it, but they won't flash anymore, unless you replace the stock winked with a solid-state one.

I have an LED approved blinker device ready to go.  My concern above was for the idiot light.

[Owned]

This is only for the idiot light, correct?  That looks like it will work, but you need to make sure you have a 12v capable LED or add limiting resistors in line with the diodes.  Test all of this with a volt meter first, obviously.

If you have incandescent bulbs on the corners you might be able to get away with a thermal flasher.  If you have LEDs on the corners you'll need a solid state flasher.

~john

Thanks...Most of the bike is done and I'm just now getting to put a battery in place.  Pics to follow.  This 400 is looking good!

[Owned]

Looks like I just found confirmation that my thoughts are accurate.  Here's a link to the same product I had in mind:

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/productDetail.do;jsessionid=03830FF827079BA08AF39EA1B54F1C88?webCatId=28&webTypeId=591&navTitle=StreetBikeAccessories&navType=type&prodFamilyId=31771&stockId=809212&ref=gan

[T.Stanley]

Just curious. What diodes did you use?

[vames]

Sorry to drum up an old thread, but I can't find any answers on the board about what actual diodes people used to create what is in the well-illustrated diagram at the top of this posting.

The mini-guages with built-in idiot lights that many of us use only has a single LED for a turn signal idiot light. Because the bike is originally set up for separate right and left idiots, using a single idiot light means using two diodes configured to make sure that one side's current wont leak back into the other side and vice versa.

Does anybody know what rating of diodes we'd need to do this? Put differently, can anyone estimate the current draw of one small idiot light LED, and would that be about the rating of diodes (12V, XX mA) that we'd need to use? The only 12V diodes at Radio Shark are rated at 21 mA -- am I going to fry them if I use them for this application? 

[vames]

Note to self: The easiest way to quiet a bunch of SOHC4 members is to ask a question about diodes.

[johnrdupree]

For a diode you'll want something rated well beyond voltage and amperage it is likely to encounter.  This ought to do it: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2036270

Some specs (you won't get anywhere near these numbers):
Peak Reverse Voltage: 400V (Max)
DC Blocking Voltage: 400VDC (Max)
Forward Rectified Current: 1A

But this may be important:
Maximum Average Forward Voltage Drop: VF= 0.8 Volts

You may have to take that 0.8 volts into consideration when calculating the limiting resistor.  If you don't the LED could end up dimmer than it should be.

~john

[CB500_k2]

Here is how I did mine.  The layout works with both an incandescent indication bulb or an LED with a limiting resistor.

[vames]

Great stuff. CB500_k2 -- that's the exact setup I'll be doing. I bought an assortment of 25 diodes at Radio Shark and it has the ones that you mention (1N4001) and the ones that johnrdupree mentions (1N4004). So if either of those work, I'm in great shape. Thanks -- I might take pictures when I put it all together and make a FAQ entry.

[Spiider]

I just did this and used 1n4001's...I have hundreds here for other stuff that I build, they were handy and they work great as a general rectifier diode.