LED turn signals questions

[twolfie85]

Hey everybody, I want to start by saying that when it comes to anything electrical, I am completely clueless... so naturally I decided to tinker...
well I just ordered some new, smaller turn signals for my vision, and wanted something very bright, and was looking at LEDs... I ordered two pairs and have since realized that I maybe should have done some more research on which ones were bright and which ones weren't so much... thats another topic.

So I am wondering, am I going to need some type of load resistor? I am fairly certain I am, but I'm not entirely sure what is involved with that, do I need a certain one? It seems like I will need 1 per pair, is that true? Is there anything I should know about installing them? (READ: CLUELESS)

Thanks for your patience!

TW

[lexx790]

You aren't that clueless as you are correct with the load relay, the blinking relay needs it to flash at the correct rate.
Look on ebay for either LED load resistors or this.- http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=led+load&_sacat=See-All-Categories
I think you will need LED front and rear, not mixing.
I got smaller indicators from ebay with standard bulbs.

[Protonus]

I've done this conversion.  I'm sorry I haven't done a tutorial yet but I have pics and videos.... I've got the brightest tiny ones I could. Either way, don't use the resisters, that's a hack. You need to wire in an LED flasher instead, you can put it right where the stock one is and it's an easy job... I'm sorry when I get more time I can post pictures and links - I need to pull em off an external drive, but I hope this gets you started.

[Re-Vision]

Doesn't replacing the flasher relay cause you to lose the the self cancellation feature?    BDC

[Rick G]

More than likely, I have a Vision flasher on the VX , It doesn't have the self canceling feature , so one  pin is unused.

[twolfie85]

sweet, thanks guys!

TW

[twolfie85]

So how about replacing my license plate lights with the little LEDs that screw in...
similar to these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chopper-Motorcycle-LED-License-Plate-Light-Bolt-BLACK-/221011576468?hash=item3375510694&item=221011576468&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_3339wt_1156
will I need a resistor for that as well?

[fret not]

I would contact the seller for that information.  Since they make the parts they should know what it takes to make them work.

[Rikugun]

They look pretty cool! Appear to replace the license plate hardware which makes for an easy install. You would not need resistors for those.

The LED's draw less watts and that's only a problem for the turnsignal relay. It requires a certain amount of draw to heat up a bi-metal strip integral to it's proper function. Adding the resistors increases the draw to match the OEM incandescent bulbs.

[twolfie85]

thanks rikugun, thats exactly the explanation that I needed

TW

[Lucky]

Autozone sells a 2 balast resistor kit for led lights. very similar to the old ceramic resistors used by old cars with external regulators, but designed for led lights

[Rikugun]

thanks rikugun, thats exactly the explanation that I needed  TW

Glad to help  :)