I can build a bike from the ground up, rebuild engines and wire ignition circuits. However, my LED indicators are giving me a headache! I've wired them in and disconnected the single idiot light to avoid back feeding issues. I then got a solid state relay designed for LED use but they still just light up, no flashing? If I chuck one of the old 21w flashers into the circuit I get a fast flash, even with the old relay. The LEDs are rated at 0.5w, any ideas before I bin them?
this is ringing some bells - it sounds like the same - I needed to add additional resistance to trigger the relay as the LED lights took such a small amount of current. Probably find something with an Internet search.
LED indicators don't flash? - Yahoo! Answers http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?179848-LED-Indicators-Won-t-Flash
Thanks for the links Chris, I've done the usual searches but there must be a better way than resistors?
some indicators and LED bulbs have the resistors built into the bulb itself saving the you the grief of messing about with solder.
I believe your issue is similar to the fast flash expirenced when one of the flasher bulbs goes titsup i.e. lower load than expected. After all you are tyring to run 2 x 0.5W when the relay expects 2 x 21W. I'm not 100% sure but a simple change of relay suitable for LED units will probably sort you out. Try the following link 12 volt electronic flasher unit hope this helps
Faulty flasher unit, the LED flashers should flash a given rate regardless of wattage or number of connected indicators...even one on its own should flash at correct rate. 1098 etc the flash rate is controlled in the dash, there is no flasher unit so resistors or loaded LED signals is the only option.
Sure you know this but, led indicators are polarity sensitive. I had a similar issue a while back, reversed the wiring on the led and bingo.
Resistors are ugly and a PITA! I added digital relay! I have bulbs front and LEDS back, all flashy no problems! Electronic LED Flasher Relay Fix Turn Signal 3 Pin New | eBay
They light up fine, so no polarity issues, they just don't flash even with a dedicated flasher unit. With the std relay and extra load of a 21w bulb they will flash but fast. I'm thinking that maybe my new solid state relay is u/s?
As I stated above, a standard mechanical flasher relay will normally flash fast with only 1 x 21W bulb in the circuit as they are designed for 2 + repeaters i.e. min 42W. For testing purposes you could try 2 x 21W in the circuit and if they flash at normal rate, I would suspect the solid state relay. hope this helps
Nick, I recently fitted these to a Ducati that had the fault you describe using the standard relay (and you can leave the repeater in).
Cheers Alec, I'll have a look at them I've already modified the repeater lamp, wiring in a couple of diodes and and a separate earth. I'm steering towards a duff relay. Everything works fine both sides, including the repeater, and they will flash with the extra resistance of a 21w bulb, just fast ;-)
When I fitted these I could do away with the extra diodes etc, they were all I needed. Cost something like £8.00 with postage.
Why not buy some flashing 12volt LED bulbs and do away with the flasher relay; just use a switching relay for left / right? You can get them in red, blue, clear, amber, green........in various intensities etc.... Or am I being daft as usual? I have some red ones and they seem OK. AL
Might be getting the loadings wrong.....Ducati lamps are only 10W. If you're using resistors to mimic 21W you've loaded the relay up to heavily.
The only resistors I'm using are the stock indicator bulbs, both of which are 21w, and the std relay is also rated at 4 x 21w. As I've wired the diodes in I'll try another relay, if that doesn't work then I'm stumped! The LEDs are replacement units not bulbs so I can't change them
