So what's the difference between single wire and dual wire indicators (turn signals)? My bike currently has dual wires, can I make single wire ones work?
???
there has to be two wires... positive and negative...
a "single wire" indicator likely has two wires wrapped together that split at a plug of some type.
Nope they definitely exist. I think they might ground through the mount.
Quote from: Howley on September 16, 2011, 05:15:04 AM
Nope they definitely exist. I think they might ground through the mount.
exactly...
You might get front single wire units to work, but in the rear there's no metal where they mount.
Could you run a ground from the body of the indicator to the ground for a two wire setup?
Quote from: Howley on September 17, 2011, 06:04:18 AM
Could you run a ground from the body of the indicator to the ground for a two wire setup?
absolutely...
you'd just need the right size ring terminal to fit the mount stud.
Ah! A ring terminal is a great idea!
Quote from: Howley on September 17, 2011, 04:00:58 PM
Ah! A ring terminal is a great idea!
That's why I get the big bucks. ;D
If the single wire turn signal is a LED light you must confirm to Carbon 14`s post.
If it is a incandescent bulb it does not know the difference between + &- and you can rely on DP`s post.
Thanks for the heads up guys, I'll check that out.
Rad, thanks for doing that. A plan is formulating... :P
Quote from: Carbon 14 on September 18, 2011, 08:08:41 PM
Not true. If you had a switched ground neither would work. With a switched positive either would work. It is true with LED's the polarity has to be correct.
Good news: I checked both of my bikes and they both have a switched positive and common grounding. If your bike is the same you can use a single-wire light with a frame ground.
I wasn't blowing smoke when I said it would work.
Quote from: Carbon 14 on September 18, 2011, 08:08:41 PM
Not true. If you had a switched ground neither would work. With a switched positive either would work. It is true with LED's the polarity has to be correct.
Good news: I checked both of my bikes and they both have a switched positive and common grounding. If your bike is the same you can use a single-wire light with a frame ground.
A switch can be on the positive on negative side of an incandescent bulb. As long as the circuit is complete when the switch is closed the bulb will light.
Quote from: Carbon 14 on September 19, 2011, 10:01:39 PM
Absolutely true but if the ground is the switched side and you go to a frame ground the light would be on all the time. Incandescent or LED no difference.
Anyhoo like I said I checked both of my bikes and they are both positive-switched. OP should check before purchasing though.
If you mean mounted directly to the frame with no ground wire, yes.
The point is that if you have a LED light it is important that + &- is correct.
A bulb will light anyway a LED only if the polarity is correct.
I checked my wiring diagram and they are all switched positives.