CB550 replacing bulbs in control panel with LEDS

[Dodge2000]

I want to replace the 'idiot panel' that shows neutal, indicators, oil pressure etc. These are old style bulbs. I want to make an alu panel with LEDS replacing the bulbs. Can I just swap these out without worrying about voltage difference requirements?

 

[Sonreir]

Only if the LED bulbs are rated at 12V. Automotive bulbs almost always are.

Also, if you're swapping out the indicator light for the turn signals, you're likely to need some diodes and a slight re-wire.

 

[Dodge2000]

is that due to the on/off of the indicator? does it require a diode to cope with that? might sound stupid question, but short of soldering in like for like, i'm pretty clueless

 

[Sonreir]

It actually requires two diodes. In the stock wiring system, the polarity for the current switches depending on whether you're signalling left or right. The incandescent bulb doesn't care about this, but an LED bulb definitely will.

The fix is to disconnect the orange and the blue wire from the indicator bulb and solder (or otherwise attach) a diode to the end of each. The ends of each diode are now the positive side for the LED. The negative side should be wired directly to ground. The diodes are necessary in this circuit to prevent the current from bypassing the LED back through the opposite spliced wire.

 

[Flugtechnik]

See my post here for more on what Sonreir is talking about:

http://hondatwins.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=9632

I also have a pic of the connector I made to do this in my build thread, pg 15.