Ducati Monster Forum

I'm so very very tired of google-reading about LED bulb replacement...

Suzy? Anyone?

I have the aluminum DP turn signals which look nice, but has hopelessly lousy light output - no reflector, stealth black housing and a 10 watt bulb  :P

First mod was 23 watt amber bulbs - better, but still lousy and the power draw is above what the cluster relay is designed for (will it burn....)(hasn't yet)

Second mod was putting some reflective 'fabric' (photo/film lighting accessory) behind the bulb - much better, but still not even as good as a stock 10 watt bulb with a proper reflector. Upgraded to a piece of 'mirror tape' - another step in the right direction.

My goal is to have turn signals that match my Vizi-Tec tail light - maybe even a little more.

My research attempts tell me that a 21 watt bulb puts out ~400 lumens and properly directed by a good reflector they are really bright (stock is 10 watt).  My homemade reflector reduces the useful output, so I think I need 400-500-600 lumens from an amber LED (or white with amber filter)

Specific suggestions?

In a short search this is the best option I could find.. doesn't list the lumens you wanted but I'd be curious what it would look like surrounded by reflection material:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-vehicle-replacement-bulbs/ba9s-led-bulb-9-led-tower/9/ (http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-vehicle-replacement-bulbs/ba9s-led-bulb-9-led-tower/9/)

Also, could you get this 4-pack, throw out the 3 you don't need, and solder in your own LED solution you'd like to use?

http://www.oznium.com/dummy-bulbs (http://www.oznium.com/dummy-bulbs)

Ditto re the superbrights. I've used them on other bikes and they are sooooo much better. Also, great customer service.

Incandescent bulbs are omnidirectional and lumens are easy to measure, you just put it in the most intense spot.

LEDs are unidirectional, so you have to use multiple LEDs to achieve a good simulacrum of an incandescent, and don't have a "hot spot" so you can't easily compare with Lumens.

There are BA9 LED swaps out there with multi-face SMD type LEDs which are supposed to be fairly bright.

Bear in mind that the turn signal intensity for cars is about 180 candelas and for motorcycles it is only half of cars (FMVSS 108)  (Tables 1 and 3)

Thanks - I've seen that - it's only 105 lumens... My 23 watt bulb is already ~400 lumens, so the lack of reflector quality is the main issue at the moment. I need to mount the 'mirror tape' in angles that will copy a true reflector (not easy) - at best my result will match a stock turn signal, but I want WOW 8)

My advice is to fab something into a BA9s mount.

Use a couple of these each side:

http://www.cutter.com.au/products.php?cat=Cree+XML+EasyWhite (http://www.cutter.com.au/products.php?cat=Cree+XML+EasyWhite)

You shouldn't have replied... now you have an extensive pm from a electricity noooob  [cheeky]

You're limited in size too.

There are also halogen bulbs available called a T3.  They are pretty loud.

They are used in small aircraft, thank my uncle (who pilots)

No, I'm most certainly not  >:(

Luxeon rebel LEDs are available in yellow/amber, and are good for 90 lm at 3V/350mA in a 3 x 4,5 mm package. Six per indicator in 3s/2p with a series resistor to set current would give you plenty of light.

http://www.philipslumileds.com/products/luxeon-rebel/luxeon-rebel-color (http://www.philipslumileds.com/products/luxeon-rebel/luxeon-rebel-color)