Help with Flasher Relay

[erock85]

I am installing LED flashers in '74 CB360 and purchased an electronic relay:

Maybe it's the relay I purchased but I do not get even close to 11-12 volts from the L Gray wire when all 4 flashers are hooked up and they flash incredibly slow

<img src="http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/6-14-2014/bkqspa.gif" alt="bkqspa on Make A Gif, Animated Gifs">

So when I hook an incandescent bulb, the original flasher bulb, into the circuit I get a normal flash and the relay clicks as it should and am getting 11+v from L Gray wire

<img src="http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/6-14-2014/o0fWP2.gif" alt="o0fWP2 on Make A Gif, Animated Gifs">

I feel like it is not getting enough load from the LEDs, but I don't know, maybe the relay is too heavy duty for this application. It was the only one O'reilly had. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Parkwood60]

How much voltage are you getting at the battery with the bike running? I would think you should see more than 12v at the flasher with a fully charged battery and/or the bike running

 

[erock85]

battery is good at 12-13, bike doesnt exactly run 100% just sorting out elect
Also getting solid 12v from black wire to relay

 

[erock85]

Anybody got any suggestions? I'm still stumped by this. Tried a couple different things but same result

 

[Flugtechnik]

I seem to remember getting an "electronic" flasher like that for my bike when my original went out. It looks similar. When I actually installed LED turn signals, they didn't work. I ended up getting another electronic flasher relay that specifically said it was for LEDs. It works. It also has 3 prongs. The third one goes to ground.

 

[Sonreir]

Yup... just because it says it's electronic, it doesn't mean it's no load.

 

[erock85]

Yup... just because it says it's electronic, it doesn't mean it's no load.

well that clears it all up thanks for all your help. i will swap it out for sure then. The "gentleman" at O'reilly's was sure it would work...

 

[mechdesign2k4]

Get one that is specified for led trailer lights, under 13 bucks


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[M.B Co]

I commend you for making gifs with that info. A lot of people don't take the time to take good pictures or video anymore.

Like others stated. Either get flasher relay made for LED or throw a resister in line. I ran into the same problem with some electronic relays from Napa.

 

[Stallone343]

I also had the same problem when I put them on my cb750 the LED's don't draw enough power for the stock flasher. Besides putting 2 small peanut bulbs hidden in your headlight bucket (you need one in line for the right and left blinker). That will trick the stock flasher into thinking it's running normally. (And as far as the lights in the bucket you can just tool dip them). But what I did was went to http://www.customdynamics.com and got a non load dependent LED flasher. It comes with a plug and play end but it didn't "plug or play" nice with the stock setup so I just put new connections on and boom worked perfect.


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[Sonreir]

I commend you for making gifs with that info. A lot of people don't take the time to take good pictures or video anymore.

Like others stated. Either get flasher relay made for LED or throw a resister in line. I ran into the same problem with some electronic relays from Napa.

You'd do better to run the resistor in parallel than in series.

 

[mechdesign2k4]

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/tridon-novita-tech.-inc-electronic-turn-signal-flasher-ep34/5081327-P?searchTerm=flasher#

this is the flasher I use.. no need for resistors.

 

[Flugtechnik]

^ That's what I'm running as well.

 

[Redbird]

I don't ever recommend using resistors, and (no offense to the OP) hiding bulbs in the headlight bucket is just silly and asking for trouble.
I've always used (and is another alternative to the Advance Auto unit) the "Motorcycle Flasher" from www.superbrightleds.com. It's the same price, and it's a two wire hookup just like OEM.

 

[Stallone343]

None taken, that was more of a quick fix then a permanent one.


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[erock85]

Thanks for the replies, and believe it or not, I thought about hiding a couple bulbs under my FG seat cowl...however like stated it did not seem like a good idea
So i purchased this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251289748449?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
and everything works as should. Not sure of the quality of this part but it was a "US" retailer on eBay so I didn't have to wait but a couple days.
Now i gotta figure out why the damn running light does not come on but it does in the Park position

 

[mechdesign2k4]

that works!! nice price too!

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

Just for the record, running resistors defeats the purpose of LED's, (Lower current draw). If you need resistors, you really should just go back to incandescent.

The resistors draw the same current as bulbs....

 

[erock85]

Just for the record, running resistors defeats the purpose of LED's, (Lower current draw). If you need resistors, you really should just go back to incandescent.

The resistors draw the same current as bulbs....

Good point, thank you. That's why I never wanted to go that route and am glad it was a simple swap of the relay.