I've ready the past posts on this, but still cannot tell if this is a potential problem, or just a preference/inconvenience.
I purchased cheap (well $50 pair) LED Turn signals. Front and Back. They all blink correctly, just faster. I totally get what is happening. I understand a resister can slow it. But do I have to? Will it hurt anything? I kind of like the fast blinking, seems more noticeable.
I just stuck $800 into a new dash because of an electrical issue, so I'm not looking for another.
Opinions?
I don't thinkt it hurts anything.
A couple of resistors from Radio Shack will only cost you a few bucks though if it starts to bug you (it did me).
been runing mine like that for a very long time (8,000+ miles) shouldnt have any big issues.
$800 for gauges is alot. i would of just ditched them.
You can buy a replacement electronic flasher unit for LED lights (Monsterparts.com sells them) that plugs into the existing wiring. It will flash normally then.
You can get a new flasher unit for under $20.
I think the flasher unit is only for older monsters. The newer ones don't use a separate unit.
Also I've heard that it _might_ fry your dash, but apparently others use it without any consequence. There's another thread about a guy that has ruined his dash with aftermarket bulbs (!not LEDs) according to his dealer. I personally wouldn't risk it.
It's doubtful any [leo] would say anything about it but I guess it's also not conform the regulations.
Also depends on the rules where you live. Down here in Aus indicators are only allowed to flash so fast, so if a cop pulled you over for it they'd slap an un-roadworthy sticker on it, and you'd have to get a trailer to collect the bike and take it back home from the side of the road where you'd been pulled over.
I haven't heard of it happening much, but it's still something to consider.
Quote from: IdZer0 on July 19, 2009, 12:44:07 AM
I think the flasher unit is only for older monsters. The newer ones don't use a separate unit.
Also I've heard that it _might_ fry your dash, but apparently others use it without any consequence. There's another thread about a guy that has ruined his dash with aftermarket bulbs (!not LEDs) according to his dealer. I personally wouldn't risk it.
Correct.
The newer monsters have an electronic flasher unit built into the gauge cluster, rather than a thermal flasher that is a separate unit. I would imagine that the excess heat from the flasher unit running twice it's normal speed could cause a problem... But i'm only speculating. As stated, resistors are cheap insurance to avoiding problems.
Not to mention that the "hyper-blink" looks kinda squidly... ;D
Thanks for all the insight guys. I'm going the resistor route later this week. So, just to clarify, if I have 4 signals, front and back, I need a resistor on each one of them, right??
Valor
Yup, you'll need one for each LED, wired in parallel. In my case, I fit 3W LEDs to an '00 M750. For help with the calculations, I found this site to be handy:
http://www.moto.dotklein.com/index.php?33654b537466eb692338ca23 (http://www.moto.dotklein.com/index.php?33654b537466eb692338ca23)
Click the "Hyper LEDs" link, and see the "Calculation and circuit plan" doc. Substitute in your LED wattage, and it'll lead you straight to the required resistance.
One suggestion I would make that deviates from their plan: use 25W resistors instead of 10W. I tried both, and the 25W run cooler. They're not *that* much larger, and the additional heat-sink capability is nice should you mistakenly suffer from granny blinker and leave them on for a few miles.
I think the fast blink leads to increased visibility, but that's just me...