LED Signals, fast blinking ... How big of an issue?

[Valor]

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?

[Triple J]

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).

[He Man]

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.

[filter]

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.

[IdZer0]

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  would say anything about it but I guess it's also not conform the regulations.

[Grug]

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.

[corey]

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...

[Valor]

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

[ephophex]

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

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.

[NAKID]

I think the fast blink leads to increased visibility, but that's just me...