Indicators not flashing?

[118118]

I've just fitted some new LED indicators to my project bike as it didnt have any before. (Mk 2)
when i flick the switch all 4 come on and dont flash!
could this be the flasher unit and if so how do i test it?

thanks,

118118

[118118]

Guys,

reading all the info on LED indicators, it would appear thet the usual problem is that they flash to fast. Mine are not flashing at all!

Do you think this is a handlebar switch problem, as all indicator (right and left) light up no matter which direction i indicate?

all 4 of the LED lights are fitted with their own resistor.

open to any suggestions.

thanks,
118118

[knackeredMk1]

Check and recheck - then check again that you have got the correct circuit.

If all the lights are on at one time there is almost certainly some kind of short in the switch unit or more probably the flasher unit.

[Jonorow]

i'd say if the light switch on using the switch then there is nothing wrong with the switch. it is more likely that the rel;ay is broken and not switching. Just replace it and it should work ok
The fact that all lights come on might just be another sign that the relay is broken.
also if there were no lindicators fitted just check the wiring from the switch to the relay and on to the indicators just incase the previous owner has Improved the wiring!!!!!!!!!!! with chewing gum or anything else to hand at the time.
Good luck, Jon

[andypugh]

[b]118118 :[/b]
> I've just fitted some new LED indicators to my project bike as it didnt have
> any before. (Mk 2)
> when i flick the switch all 4 come on and dont flash!

They probably aren't flashing as there isn't enough current flow to work the flasher. You generally have to add a resistor in parallel with the winkers to get the current right if the flasher is a bimetallic-strip type.

As for all four being on, that could be the low current consumption too. The dashboard telltale is wired between the indicator circuits, but the bulb is so low a rating relative to the main indicator bulbs that the current flow through it isn't enough to light the non-indicating bulbs. LEDs take less current, so there might be enough current flowing through the dash telltale to light them.
If you take out the dashboard bulb then the non-indicating-side ones will go out, if i am right.

The simplest solution is probably to find a flasher relay which will work with LED indicators, ie an electronic one.

[118118]

Guys,

Thanks for all your advise. I'm going to get a new flasher unit and try again.
I'll let you know.

118118

[vilguy]

im with andy on this one. i fitted led indicators to my road bike and had problems until i fitted an inline resistor to bring the load on the relay to the correct amount. you can work it out by looking at what bulbs you had in previously. i.e 10 watt or 21 watt bulbs. the resistance of the led (ussually very low around 1 watt or so) + resistor should equal to what you had previously. i.e 2 X 10 watt bulbs means a resistance of 20 watts. so you would need around a 20 watt resistor. it doesnt need to be exact. just roughly correct. but as your using leds alround the relay will just go mental and send them all on. save you money and just buy an inline resistor. best way is just solder one in on the circuit rather than buying one of those motrax ones as theyre ridicolously expensive!


ps a quick quick for the flasher relay would be to just hook up your old indicators too it
paul

[118118]

The answer may have been found at last!

After contacting the supplier of the LED lights and resistors they have sent me a wiring diagram of how they should be wired.
Not knowing any better, I wired the resistors 'in line' on the positive supply to each light but the resistor should be wired 'in parallel' with each light.

Armed with a new load of electrical crimps i will be back in the garage at the weekend and will let you know if i succeed.
you live and learn!

Thanks for all your advice.

118118

[118118]

Guys,

I have finally sorted my LED indicator problem.
As I thought, I had wired the supplied resistors in line and not in parallel with the lights. After a couple of hours this morning rewiring it all now works fine.
The lights do flash a little faster than normal but nothing to worry about.
I’m very pleased with them as I felt very vulnerable when out on the road without any indicators.
As you can see from the photos, I made a bracket for the rear so that the lights are mounted under the mudguard so hopefully they won’t get knocked off.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd14 ... CF2760.jpg
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd14 ... CF2756.jpg

If anyone is intrested, i got the LED lights from this guy. He was great to deal with and gave me the advise on how to solve the problem.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-DESIGN-FRONT- ... dZViewItem

Thanks again,
118118

[andypugh]

http://www.ultraleds.co.uk is a good source of all things LED too. Including the 5W monsters.

[fishtail]

mounting brackets sound good - or a cage around them? - but the photo has gone!

I just smashed a rear indicator off - and now no indicators are working at all!

alltho looks like the front ones are permanently on.. nope I didnt bust the switchgear...

[fallenmikethebike]

Is that the longest gap between posts
Mike

[fishtail]

hi mike! yep do I get a trophy?

- just diggin up some research whilst waiting for the rain to stop -

dropped the bike and now no indicators.

planning to hook up a battery to make testing easier - but just had rain for a few days and working outside in the rain isnt much fun!

seems like no reaction at all from the indicator switches now - ie indicating or not - front bulbs are lit up..

actually one side of the rear indicator wires have been ripped out of the indicator bracket and the whole indicator got ripped off. lost in a bush I think!

- the other side at the rear doesnt appear to be damaged - hope its just a bulb..

not sure where to start looking - I've dug my meter out - and will take headlight off to get at the flsher unit -

wondering if I can get some in a cage or something? or maybe cheap LED strips are the way?

[fallenmikethebike]

L.E.D.s are the way to go, but, you have to change them all as I think they don't like a mix and match of LEDs and incandescent lamps.
There is also an LED tail/brake lamp, that's a straight swap over 5/ 12 watt.
Mike

[back off road]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ACERBIS-LED-M ... 3726wt_905

had one of these on my CRM never had any problems ,

tried a cheap and nasty one and it was came back from the first off roading trip with a bit of broken bracket bolted to the mudguard and some wires hanging down