LED's --- need details on the wire-up etc. ---

[residentdud]

Hey guys,

I'm looking into swapping the indicator bulbs for led's. I've read into some of the threads but I can't find a detailed play by play. I bought some leds, resistors, and a board. Before I get started can I get a little direction before I fry my stuff?.

Thanks, Darryl.

 

[rockcitycafe]

yep, multiply the voltage drop of the each led by the number of leds in series to get close to but not over 12-15v (whatever your bike's running voltage is) and I say running because if you engineer it for 12v it could burn out when you are on the road. then you need to look at the current the led draws at its rated voltage, that will be the current that the series circuit draws. now you need to calculate the series resistor value based on the number of leds and the current, which is:

let's say your bike is 12v running, lets say you have 8 leds at 1.4v drop, total of 11.6 volts, 12v supplied and let's say your leds draw 100ma, or .1 amps, so you need to drop .4v across the resistor with a current of .1amp, since V=IR or R=V/I your resistor needs to be: .4v/.1a (4ohm), now since you're dropping .4v with a current of .1a, your resistor will need to be rated for: W=VA .04 watts at least. just substitute your numbers in here and you'll be good

 

[residentdud]

yep, multiply the voltage drop of the each led by the number of leds in series to get close to but not over 12-15v (whatever your bike's running voltage is) and I say running because if you engineer it for 12v it could burn out when you are on the road. then you need to look at the current the led draws at its rated voltage, that will be the current that the series circuit draws. now you need to calculate the series resistor value based on the number of leds and the current, which is:

let's say your bike is 12v running, lets say you have 8 leds at 1.4v drop, total of 11.6 volts, 12v supplied and let's say your leds draw 100ma, or .1 amps, so you need to drop .4v across the resistor with a current of .1amp, since V=IR or R=V/I your resistor needs to be: .4v/.1a (4ohm), now since you're dropping .4v with a current of .1a, your resistor will need to be rated for: W=VA .04 watts at least. just substitute your numbers in here and you'll be good

Thanks a lot man. That helps a lot!

You wouldn't happen to have any pics on any set-up that were made? I'm looking for pictures that show me the electronic view "behind the scenes" shit. eg. like a look at the connections/soldering and the boards if used.

Thanks...again. Darryl

 

[residentdud]

Ohh...and I can buy these LED's with the resistors already built in? I've heard some talk about these. Does that mean they're a quick swap from the bulbs?

 

[Flugtechnik]

If you just want to replace the bulbs, check out my post in the $50 mod thread HERE.


I just bought some of these:

 

[residentdud]

If you just want to replace the bulbs, check out my post in the $50 mod thread HERE.


I just bought some of these:

Thanks Flugtechnik but...

What I REALLY want to do is get rid of the HUGONGOUS plastic idiot light tower between my gauges and replace it with a piece of sheet metal with colored led's only. Keep the diameter to about 1" by 3" in length. I know it's been done, I just need to see the wiring side of the whole mod...hopefully a few pics of the boards and soldering points. YES...BASICALY DRAWN OUT AND IDIOT PROOF aka connect the dots kinda shit.

Darryl.

 

[Flugtechnik]

Oh, something like Herm's but a little simpler? You can probably find some "12v LEDs" at radiohack or another electronics store (Frys) or on ebay somewhere. They will have the resistors built in. Then you could just put some bullet connectors on the bulb wires and plug them right into your wiring harness where the old bulbs went.

http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=6496.msg85494#msg85494

 

[residentdud]

Oh, something like Herm's but a little simpler? You can probably find some "12v LEDs" at radiohack or another electronics store (Frys) or on ebay somewhere. They will have the resistors built in. Then you could just put some bullet connectors on the bulb wires and plug them right into your wiring harness where the old bulbs went.

http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=6496.msg85494#msg85494

[/quote

I guess this would be the easiest way. Just a plug and play sort of led. Awesome. Thanks man.

Darryl

 

[dielectric]

For 12V indicators, these look kinda cool, a little smaller option maybe:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/IND-16G/12V-INDICATOR-GREEN-LED/1.html

They've got a few different colors. Don't get the flat-topped black ones, they're plastic and not suited for motorcycle duty. I bought a few of them, trust me on this one.

If you want to roll your own housing, they've got 12V LEDs too:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/340600/LEDs/12-Vdc/1.html

At Radio Shack, they have some pretty cool chrome bezels for the T1 3/4 LEDs:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062559

If you use those, make sure you use some silicone or something on the back side to keep the LED in place. They'll tend to work themselves out, I've found.

 

[jeep28guy]

This website will tell you what size resistors you need for a basic LED like from Radio Shack. I haven't looked real indepth on it, but seems to be alot of straightforward good information.

http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz

 

[residentdud]

This website will tell you what size resistors you need for a basic LED like from Radio Shack. I haven't looked real indepth on it, but seems to be alot of straightforward good information.

http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz

Oh Dude...thats BADASS! Thanks man.

 

[krukster86]

If you just want to replace the bulbs, check out my post in the $50 mod thread HERE.


I just bought some of these:

I am trying this out! Just purchased the lights on eBay yesterday.

 

[Flugtechnik]

Just a warning. Be careful if you have to "squeeze" them in like I did for them to fit in the holes. Also, I managed to destroy one of them. I put one in the little red light thing on my headlight (hi beam indicator) and when I tried to get it out to reposition it, it broke into pieces (the base seperated). But as long as you don't try to man-handle them too much, I found they are great. Also, unless you have two seperate turn indicator lights, it won't work on that one (current can only flow one way).

 

[krukster86]

I am just doing the backlight on the speedo and tach, I figure the idiot lights are bright enough as is. I kinda liked the dim glow of the old backlights, but once you get out of the garage its useless haha!