Led turn signal

[hect75]

Guys,
trying to tune up the Vento and got 9 led 12v lights.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Accessories-/25622/i.html?_dcat=25622&Part%2520Subtype=LED%2520Lights&Part%2520Type=Lights%2520%2526%2520Indicators


I installed 4 leds (2 front and 2 rear) but when turning on nothing happened. I am confused 'cause some posts (other web pages) say resistor are needed , some others load equalizer or loads are needed due to low amps. Should give try to resistors first?

Thanks for your help

[SpudRider]

Two LED turn signals will work without any modifications. However, is you want four LED turn signals to work, you will need to purchase an LED flasher, such as the one in the link below.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/flashers-load-resistors/lf1-s-flat-universal-motorcycle-electronic-flasher/787/842/

http://d114hh0cykhyb0.cloudfront.net/images/uploads/LF1-S-FLAT-led-flasher-store.jpg

In addition, you will need to remove the bulb from the turn signal indicator.

[Krasi_BG]

Or you can indeed install some resistors in parallel to the leds. Just make sure they are powerful enough, i.e. ceramic, because they get quite hot (think of light bulb hot!).

[hect75]

I found the problem. :yay: I learned that incandescent bulbs were connected in reverse order. Thus, the positive wire was connected to side terminal (negative) and the negative wire to base terminal (positive). That´s was the reason why led did not turn on. I connected the positive wire to base terminal and all 4 leds are working but don´t blink (All leds light when pressing left or right position). I did not replaced the turn signal indicator. Could this cause leds don´t blink? or need to get a new led flasher or try first with the resistors? Leds are 12v and battery is 12 v, do I need resistors?

:thanks:

[hect75]

By the way, I´ve watched some videos on youtube about led turn signal installation on models from the 90´s and work without any other modification (all 4 leds) unless the author´s video forgot to mention additional modifications.

[SpudRider]

Your solution is provided in post #2. ;)

[Krasi_BG]

...all 4 leds are working but don´t blink (All leds light when pressing left or right position). I did not replaced the turn signal indicator. Could this cause leds don´t blink? or need to get a new led flasher or try first with the resistors? Leds are 12v and battery is 12 v, do I need resistors?

:thanks:

Flash relays are usually thermal relays. Especially older ones.

This means they need (relatively) big load in order to get a bi-polar plate heated enough to bend. This how the "flashing" occurs: the plate gets heated, it bends outwards and breaks the circuit. Then it cools a bit and bends back to close the circuit, starting the heating cycle again.

Now, big load is yielded by big resistance. Light bulbs have big resistance, hence the system works OK when you have 2x5W bulbs for example. If you reduce the resistance there is not enough load to heat the plate. That's why usually if one of the bulbs fails, the other one stops flashing and is constantly on.

LEDs, on the other hand, have negligible resistance, i.e. they can't "produce" enough load on the relay to heat up the bi-polar plate. That's why there is no flashing. See what happens when you have a failed bulb above.

Expensive LED turn signals come with built-in resistances to "simulate" regular bulbs and work with normal thermal relays. Take a guess about the cheaper ones!

So, you have two solutions as we already stated:

1. Get a non-thermal relay, as Spud says, which flashes regardless of the load in the circuit.

2. Add enough resistance somewhere in the circuit to "simulate" regular bulbs

(optional) 3. Flash the signals manually from the handle button :D

These are the practical solutions to your "problem" known to mankind as of today, AFAIK. Take a pick!

[Weldangrind]

One of the benefits to LED signals is the low draw on the electrical system of a China bike. Using resistors to make them operate negates the benefit. I recommend a flasher like Spud suggested in post #2.

[hect75]

Thanks for all your comments. :tup: I will get a led relay from autozone according to specs from post 2. I called to autozone yesterday and they have some ones but will stop by sometime this week, meanwhile I am using the stock bulbs.

:thanks:

[SpudRider]

Make sure you get an LED flasher, not an electronic flasher. Unlike a mechanical flasher, an electronic flasher uses solid state electronics; however, it still requires more resistance to operate than the resistance provided by LED turn signals.

Here is a link to an LED flasher sold at AutoZone; however, it costs $20. :wtf:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/_/N-9cidq?itemIdentifier=193118

You can buy the LED flasher below for $8.95, plus $3 shipping, from Super Bright LEDs.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/flashers-load-resistors/lf1-s-flat-universal-motorcycle-electronic-flasher/787/842/

I have proven this flasher to work in all three of my motorcycles. :tup:

2006 Zongshen 200GY-2
2005 Honda XR650L
2004 Honda CRF250X

After you get the LED flasher, you will still need to remove the bulb from your turn signal indicator. If you want your turn signal indicator to work, you will also need to install a diode kit. You can also get a diode kit from Super Bright LEDs for $2.29.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/flashers-load-resistors/metric-bike-diode-kit/1190/2805/

[hect75]

Thanks Spud for the advice. I bought the Novita EP34 in autozone for $10 (they don't have the model you suggested). I will do my own diode kit, in fact, I bought the diodes for $0.15 each. I will follow the instructions from bareass chopper website. I have spent so far, about $25.43 (led lights $4.65 each pair, indicator led light $2.32, diodes $0.30 both, novita $10.07, solder wire $1.78, wire conectors (2) $1.5 both). I connected the novita and installed the led lights, they work but blink all together. I will install the diodes today (hopefully) and will post results. I appreciate all your and others help.

Cheers

[SpudRider]

You realize, of course, the diodes are inserted into the two wires leading to the turn signal indicator light. ;) These two wires are then connected to one wire leading to the indicator bulb. The other wire from the indicator bulb is connected to ground, as shown in the following thread.

http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=7989

Before you insert the two diodes, I suggest you perform this test. Remove the turn signal indicator bulb, and test your turn signals. If the Novita EP34 flasher is LED compatible, all four, LED turn signals should operate properly after the turn signal indicator bulb is removed.

The diodes are only needed if you want to retain the operation of the turn signal indicator. ;)

[hect75]

I realize when plugging the EP34, the indicator bulb did not flash at all. I put the led bulb and lights worked but only left side flashed (right side off), left side flashed all lights at the same time. I soldered the diodes and everything works good. Now I am more visible with red led lights when turning a corner or passing a car. Spud, if I I use a stop led light will work? or need another mod?

Thanks

[Krasi_BG]

LED stop light doesn't require any mods.

[SpudRider]

I realize when plugging the EP34, the indicator bulb did not flash at all. I put the led bulb and lights worked but only left side flashed (right side off), left side flashed all lights at the same time. I soldered the diodes and everything works good. Now I am more visible with red led lights when turning a corner or passing a car. Spud, if I I use a stop led light will work? or need another mod?

Thanks

LED stop light doesn't require any mods.

Krasi is correct, no modifications are required for an LED stop light. :) You can either install a new LED tail light assembly, or you can install an 1157 LED bulb in your current, tail light assembly.

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1156/9398/Trail-Tech-L.E.D.-1157-Taillight-Bulb?term=trail%20tech%20led%201157

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/images/prod/400/t/tra_led_tail.jpg

[hect75]

Led turn signals are working but the ignition switch is not. I have to kick start la moto because the ignition switch only clicks. I will check this weekend the wires in case something loose. Any ideas? I noticed this problem after modifying for led lights.

[Krasi_BG]

Is the battery fully charged?

Also, check for current "leaks" when everything is off.

[hect75]

Yep, it's fully charged. I will shift the relay and see if it works with the old flasher relay although, in my opinion, this one should not affect the ignition. Will post results the coming days.

[hect75]

I found the problem. It was a loose wire in the battery clamp (the thin one connected directly to the fuse). Once it was tightened, ignition relay worked.

[Weldangrind]

Good news! Glad to hear you solved it.

[SpudRider]

Good news! Glad to hear you solved it.

X2. :tup: