Does anyone have anything like this? What affect does it have on light output and light on the plate?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/360-DEGREE-SUPER-BRIGHT-LED-BULBS-SUZUKI-MOTORCYCLES_W0QQitemZ4616181874QQcategoryZ35598QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
(http://www.maxspeed-motorsports.com/maximages/360led1.jpg)(http://www.maxspeed-motorsports.com/maximages/360led6.jpg)
Not me, but that looks like the Godzilla of tail light bulbs.
I'd be interested in giving it a try if it comes in WHITE LEDs. I forget who reminded me, but there are rules about what colour you use to illiminate the license plate -- think RED would be verboten by most Highway Traffic Acts. :nono:
The only problem with putting in WHITE bulbs is that the red taillight lense will filter out most of the light, creating a "dimmer" light.
If you put LED's behind colored glass/plastic, you should use the same color as the lense, that way NONE of the light gets filtered, creating a bright output.
Right on about the light absorption issue.
I feel an experiment coming on, but this one could get a bit more expensive than the 5-LED Gauge curiosity we had a month ago. I'll let you know when my next order to SuperBrightLEDs.com (http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm) arrives and maybe I can continue this discussion with some data. :)
Quote from: RedShift on February 26, 2006, 07:42:18 PM
Right on about the light absorption issue.
I feel an experiment coming on, but this one could get a bit more expensive than the 5-LED Gauge curiosity we had a month ago. I'll let you know when my next order to SuperBrightLEDs.com (http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm) arrives and maybe I can continue this discussion with some data. :)
I have a feeling about what you're going to do, and I don't even think it's worth a shot. Red LEDs are the brightest out there. They've been around for quite a long time, so they are the most developed. White LEDs are relatively new, and are not even close to the light output of red. Combining that with the fact that it is white light spread over a broad spectrum, and that it is also very blue light (like a fluorescent bulb) with a relatively small red component, it's not going to be bright enough. It would work at night, but it would be very dangerous in the daytime. If you're going to use LEDs in the brakelights, use red and take your chances with the popo. Surely they have something better to do than harass you about using LEDs in the brakelights.
Edit: Err, strike that part about the red being brighter than the white. Going by the data supplied by Super Bright LEDs, they've improved white more than I'd realized since I worked on testing them. However, the output in the red part of the spectrum is still going to be much less than a red LED.
Quote from: RedShift on February 26, 2006, 07:42:18 PM
Right on about the light absorption issue.
I feel an experiment coming on, but this one could get a bit more expensive than the 5-LED Gauge curiosity we had a month ago. I'll let you know when my next order to SuperBrightLEDs.com (http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm) arrives and maybe I can continue this discussion with some data. :)
It can get costly, unlike the couple bucks for the two LED's for the gauges... :laugh:
Why do you think I asked first? :laugh: I was hoping someone else blew their money before I did.
Anyway, brakelight LED's have been around a while but only this style:
(http://cartoka.com/IMAGES/LED/3157-12-r-1.jpg)
I've tried these, and because they don't shine on the reflectiive backing of the taillight housing, the light ouput is significantly decreased.
Quote from: annguyen1981 on February 26, 2006, 09:42:10 PM
It can get costly, unlike the couple bucks for the two LED's for the gauges... :laugh:
Why do you think I asked first? :laugh: I was hoping someone else blew their money before I did.
I personally can't justify buying LEDs for anything but the gauges. I mean, the turn signal LEDs at superbrightleds are outrageous, and the taillight LEDs are just very costly and you run the (probably small unless you're pulled over for something else) risk of getting a ticket for the license plate issue. On top of that, you'd have to completely reengineer the turn signals to get them to work. I can think of much better things to spend my time and money on than redesigning the bike's electrical system, even though I technically am supposed to like that sort of thing, being an EE and all.
Quote from: Egaeus on February 26, 2006, 09:54:10 PM
Quote from: annguyen1981 on February 26, 2006, 09:42:10 PM
It can get costly, unlike the couple bucks for the two LED's for the gauges... :laugh:
Why do you think I asked first? :laugh: I was hoping someone else blew their money before I did.
I personally can't justify buying LEDs for anything but the gauges. I mean, the turn signal LEDs at superbrightleds are outrageous, and the taillight LEDs are just very costly and you run the (probably small unless you're pulled over for something else) risk of getting a ticket for the license plate issue. On top of that, you'd have to completely reengineer the turn signals to get them to work. I can think of much better things to spend my time and money on than redesigning the bike's electrical system, even though I technically am supposed to like that sort of thing, being an EE and all.
you couldn't be more wrong. The ones off ebay are made to be direct replacements for the regular bulbs. Easy as pie. Pull the old ones out. put the new ones in and that's it.
Ditto.
Worst case senario: you need another resistor to slow down the flashing rate of the LED turn signals. Easy task.
I'm getting my R6 taillight soon, which is off an 03 so it's all LEDs. Seeing how I have an integrated taillight, this should be fun...
I'll make sure to post here about the 198 problems I run into before I get it to work.
Dave
Quote from: that_guy on February 27, 2006, 11:30:38 AM
The ones off ebay are made to be direct replacements for the regular bulbs. Easy as pie. Pull the old ones out. put the new ones in and that's it.
Which ones would that be? The only ones I've found need either a resistor to increase the current draw (defeating one of the primary purposes of using LEDs) or an electronic flasher which would require the redesigning. They're both suboptimal solutions.
I've got the Clear Alternatives LED lens on my bike, it was no hassle to install. It's a board of LEDs behind a clear lens that fit right int your existing bulb sockets, requires some wire splicing for the turn signals, but nothing too intense. Cost me about $80, but it cleaned things up nicely I'd say.
This is what the clear alternative ones look like. . . You can't really tell but the bottom is a opaque ( frosty white ) color the bulbs are red for the break lights and flashes yellow for the turn signal. Took about 20 min to install.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i134/dlchris1/DavidBike1.jpg)
you should be looking for somthing like this http://www.customdynamics.com/Images/straight_1157.jpg you can find them at most stealerships .. i'v been thinking about getting some but have not yet .. there just led's that are on the same set up on your normal bulb .
Quote from: blue05twin on June 13, 2006, 01:18:41 PM
This is what the clear alternative ones look like. . . You can't really tell but the bottom is a opaque ( frosty white ) color the bulbs are red for the break lights and flashes yellow for the turn signal. Took about 20 min to install.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i134/dlchris1/DavidBike1.jpg)
Am I the only one who likes the dumbo ears? IMO the further away the signal, the more likely a driver is to notice it since it doesn't blend with the lines of the bike. Sure, it's not cool, but I prefer function over form in this case.
Quote from: Egaeus on June 13, 2006, 03:27:14 PM
Am I the only one who likes the dumbo ears? IMO the further away the signal, the more likely a driver is to notice it since it doesn't blend with the lines of the bike. Sure, it's not cool, but I prefer function over form in this case.
That's why my turnsignals are still OEM parts. If I do replace them, it will be with OEM Buell parts.
I bought this... http://clearalternatives.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CA&Product_Code=CTL-0026-2-L-S&Category_Code=Smoke.GS
But I ended up not using the smoked lense, instead I just used the LED light bulbs and the stock red lense it seemed to be brighter with that. You can also just buy the bulbs from them... http://clearalternatives.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CA&Category_Code=Bulbs
The plate lights up good enough. I don't think it would ever be a problem. I notice that harley's with a lay down plate on the rear fender still don't light up all that great, and that's oem stuff from harley. I see guys all the time around here with their plate all the way inside the wheel well under the bike.
Just as an FYI, I'd put money that my LED taillight's turnsignals are more visible than the stock signals hand over fist. I have a 2006 though and the Clear Alternatives taillight is an actual board of LED lights, not just two clusters like in the picture...
Quote from: VTLucky on June 13, 2006, 08:47:17 PM
Just as an FYI, I'd put money that my LED taillight's turnsignals are more visible than the stock signals hand over fist. I have a 2006 though and the Clear Alternatives taillight is an actual board of LED lights, not just two clusters like in the picture...
I didn't want to jump into that mess with led turn signals. Do they blink fast?
I also don't know if I trust cagers, they might just think there is something wrong with my brake light. (if their real dumb, most are), and I have a backoff brake light modulator, not sure if that works with the integrated taillights/signals.
Quote from: porsche4786 on June 13, 2006, 08:51:29 PM
and I have a backoff brake light modulator, not sure if that works with the integrated taillights/signals.
This is the main reason why I haven't ventured into the LED taillight for my GS. I know for a fact that the LEDs would blink rapidly no matter if you have the brake depressed or not if you have a brakelight modulator installed.
Check out my video clip at the bottom of this link:
http://web-designs.tripod.com/
Quote from: annguyen1981 on June 13, 2006, 10:22:39 PM
Quote from: porsche4786 on June 13, 2006, 08:51:29 PM
and I have a backoff brake light modulator, not sure if that works with the integrated taillights/signals.
This is the main reason why I haven't ventured into the LED taillight for my GS. I know for a fact that the LEDs would blink rapidly no matter if you have the brake depressed or not if you have a brakelight modulator installed.
Check out my video clip at the bottom of this link:
http://web-designs.tripod.com/
Dude, please explain that project. I haven't seen that.
I purchased some LED accent lights that are designed to insert into your car's headlight to give them a bit of color (not a lot).
I got lazy and never installed them into my car. After I installed the brakelight modulator into the GS, I decided to put the LED accents on , so I rigged them up so that they would turn on when I pressed on the brake.
Because of the modulator, and the LEDs having a lower resistance, the LEDs actually flash on/off. The modulator is designed to puslate the power to the brakelights, but not on/off. There is only a slight decrease in power, so the brakelight bulbs actually stay lit the whole time, but the LED flash on/off.
Don't see how haveing intergrated turn signals will cause a driver not to see you. The on comming traffic are the ones that you need to worry about. And they won't see yoru rear turn signals till your past them. People behind you will see your brake light once you hit the brakes. If you turm on your turn signal and use your brakes they both come on. Personally I think the bright ass brake light would attract more attention that a flahing yellow bulb.
And for rider safter we should all get LED body kits then you won't have to worry about people not seeing you. :thumb:
And yes the stock turn signals are ugly, at least to me.
Quote from: porsche4786 on June 13, 2006, 08:51:29 PM
Quote from: VTLucky on June 13, 2006, 08:47:17 PM
Just as an FYI, I'd put money that my LED taillight's turnsignals are more visible than the stock signals hand over fist. I have a 2006 though and the Clear Alternatives taillight is an actual board of LED lights, not just two clusters like in the picture...
I didn't want to jump into that mess with led turn signals. Do they blink fast?
I also don't know if I trust cagers, they might just think there is something wrong with my brake light. (if their real dumb, most are), and I have a backoff brake light modulator, not sure if that works with the integrated taillights/signals.
Yes, they do blink slightly faster than stock, not very much...but I have also installed resistors. As far as the whole "there might be something wrong with my brake light thing", I don't think it's humanly possible. I mean, the LED board is completely red, and when a turn signal is on, half of the board flashes between amber and red, and if they can't distinguish their colors, well then they shouldn't be driving in the first place. :laugh:
The kit comes with resistors so the lights flash the same as stock. Nice little kit actually your choice of cover / clear or smoke. reisitors connectors insturctions and the lights.
I am also a fan of wider spaced blinkers.
I have followed bikes with integrated blinkers and you do have to concentrate uch more on determining what direction they are turning.
And we all know how well cagers concentrate on avoiding overtaking bikes just as they want to change lanes. :icon_rolleyes:
does clear alternatives have a full LED panel (not bulb, but the whole panel) for the GS tailight as well?
I'm thinking of getting the clear or smoked lens and putting a full LED board in there, like this
(http://clearalternatives.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/LED-51-2.jpg)
The bulb type has the same amout of leds on it.
http://clearalternatives.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CA&Category_Code=INTEGRATORBOARD
http://clearalternatives.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CA&Product_Code=LED-26-IT&Category_Code=INTEGRATORBOARD
i have a clear led in the front runing lamp on the f model. at night it brite enought to light a good 5 foot area infront of the bike, and saves the battery while waiting to make calls in the mountan. which is why i did it. i need to run them in the rear as well now so that i can run them much longer.
any one know how to make the turn sigs into haz lites?
Quote from: rangerbrown on June 14, 2006, 02:34:44 PM
any one know how to make the turn sigs into haz lites?
Why don't they do that at the factory? :dunno_white: Seems like it would be a great saftey feature.
you'd think but then again....
does the kawi 500 have that feature?
no
Quote from: rangerbrown on June 14, 2006, 02:34:44 PM
i have a clear led in the front runing lamp on the f model. at night it brite enought to light a good 5 foot area infront of the bike,
Any pics of the light cluster.
How does it look? I want to replace the running light too, as the stock little fella is all but useless and just wastes watts.