My LED Woes.......

[SIKDMAX]

Ya ya, another LED topic 

I bought a set of LED turns today for the front, decided to wait on the rears until I get this set working right.  So I installed them and physically all went well. 



I replaced the stock thermal flasher with a Tridon 2 prong electric:



and tried them.... no dice.  Hmmm... plugged stockers back in and they worked fine.  So I plugged in a stock halogen to the rear, and the LED to the front - flashed great!  As soon as I unplug the halogen rear, nothing.  So apparently this flasher still needs to detect some sort of load?   

Do I just need to switch flashers to a true LED only flasher or what?  I was under the impression any electronic flasher would work. 

[SIKDMAX]

So I just searched EL12 on this board and returned a post that says it doesnt work 

Haha.... looking like I need a Tridon EP37 flasher.  Off to NAPA....

[ohgood]

kawasaki has some KICK ASS bright signals on their 08 bikes now. check em out.

gixxers now come with signals integrated into some very handsome mirrors also.

being so close to the head light is a bad thing, me thinks.

they do look sharp though

[scottpA_GS]

being so close to the head light is a bad thing, me thinks.

+1 people would see them better just a bit further out... They look good though 

[SIKDMAX]

Ouchies! $31 later......



And the signals are stayin where they are - that was the point to get rid of the huge signals and them sticking out so far in the first place haha 

[ben2go]

Both lights for right/left have to be working properly to complete the circuit.

[SIKDMAX]

Ben I hope this is the case as Im getting upset now.  This mod has been upwards of $100 and its not working. 

1 LED and 1 halogen work for each side.  I unplug the rear halogens to try only the front LEDs and when i hit either side, they both just come on, but only a few of the LEDs inside!

So what you are saying is once I plug in the other 2 LEDs in the rear they should function correctly again? Do the signals share a ground or something to complete a circuit that it is detecting nothing plugged in in the rear? 

Frustated 

[starwalt]

Did you read the LED FAQ section before starting this "upgrade"??

The GS uses some electrical tricks in the turn signal circuitry that causes grief to LED mods without other modifications.

Your original TSR, if before 2003, is not thermal but also uses an electrical trick to operate in a periodic mode. Later models use newer technology relays.

All of the new bikes with LED signals have their circuitry designed for the device.

[ben2go]

Ben I hope this is the case as Im getting upset now.  This mod has been upwards of $100 and its not working. 

1 LED and 1 halogen work for each side.  I unplug the rear halogens to try only the front LEDs and when i hit either side, they both just come on, but only a few of the LEDs inside!

So what you are saying is once I plug in the other 2 LEDs in the rear they should function correctly again? Do the signals share a ground or something to complete a circuit that it is detecting nothing plugged in in the rear? 

Frustated 

Correct.Both bulbs complete the circuit through a single ground.When both bulbs are in the lights should flash.I can't remember the wagner part number eveyone used when this was 1st started years ago.

[SIKDMAX]

OK starwalt so you are saying......... 

Thanks Ben.  I guess Ill buy the other set in the morning and see if they work.  Otherwise I guess Im stuck using 1 set of LED and 1 set of halogen to draw enough load I guess? 

I dont understand what the TS indicator has to do with it - if I lose it I dont really care I just want LED signals!  I know it can be done......

[shuluke]

Although I am not sure.. Maybe adding power resistors might give a bigger load and getting the signals to work.  i just read the fax... They say it does not work.. I would also suggest, and although I wish I knew how, a circuit can be built that induce the flashing.. Probably some 555 timer or something..

I converted my tails of my car to leds and now they flash much faster.. I think because there is less of a resistance in the circuit so the capacitor charges much faster..

I am also still considering doing some led turn signals in the buell turns.. But sounds like Ill have to look at the electrical set up of the turns. If that happens for sure Ill post about it.

[SIKDMAX]

No worky.  Went and bought the other set today and when all 4 were plugged in They all just lit up very dim.  I just bought a set of matching ones but Halogen for the rear, and gonna run those for a while. 

Other thought I had was to wire in a set of halogen bulbs in series with the backs and then tape them off and hide them under the seat or something - that would make the load I need for it to operate ok. 

[beRto]

Other thought I had was to wire in a set of halogen bulbs in series with the backs and then tape them off and hide them under the seat or something - that would make the load I need for it to operate ok. 

I haven't looked into the details of LED wiring, but it seems unnecessary to add extra bulbs wired in series. There is no difference (electrically) between a lightbulb and a common resistor, so at worst you might need to add a resistor to the circuit. 

[rylon]

I have all LED signal and a LED break light, and they all work.  I have a similar relay to the original one you bought (I'll check later and verify part number) and installed 12V diodes to the turn signal indicator in the dash.

Here is a diagram for all the turn signals



And here is a diagram of where I added my 12V diodes



I also had issues while trouble shooting my blinkers as a result of my battery needing a charge (it was dead cause the bike was sitting for a while while getting upgrades/repais)  So that may be something else to check if it applies to your situation.

Hope this helps

And FYI SIKDMAX the wagner part number is 552. Although I had some issues with that relay, I need to go back and try it now that I know all the signals are working.

Edit:  The relay that I have is a Blazer 552/536 LL two terminal variable load relay.  I tried the original 552 relay and it didn't work, could be blown as a result of my trouble shooting.

Rylon

[leafs_fan]

Hi,

I was wondering what value ( ohms and wattage) of resistors you used on your turn signals Rylon?

Also to the original poster those are the Shock racing indicators correct? I have the same ones and have been reduced to hand signals when i ride until i get the issues sorted.

BTW, i will post pictures of my 07 F as soon as i get a chance. 

Thanks,

Matt

[starwalt]

Rylon, very good job at analyzing the circuit and thinking it through. 

This topic is probably one of the top 5 discussed repeatedly. One day when every bike has LEDs, the topic will be something like...

"I just installed retro filament lamps in my 2016 GS500K12/FI and they don't work like the LEDs"   

[rylon]

leafs_fan - I didn't use any resistors in my set up, the diagram shows the resistors included in most 12v signals.  I have the Shock Racing front signals and a clear alternatives R6 (I think? Ordered it so long ago) break light with integrated signals, all work fine!

starwalt - thanks for the kudos, the images aren't mine they are from another post that is either in the links included in the FAQ or linked from one of links internal to one of those threads.

Rylon

[SIKDMAX]

What I ended up doing for my rears for now......