kz400 led lights won't flash

B

beamer

New Member
so I am trying to put led lights on my 1976 kz400 and the lights in the back will come on with the switch but don't blink.
when I hook up the front I get nothing...but when I take the led lights off and hook up the original lights they all work.
I put in a led flasher unit with the same result...I am no electrical expert so I am stumped.
Anyone have any ideas why the this is happening?
 
To much resistance. The LEDs don't flow enough current. I have not converted any
of my bikes, but I believe a different flasher and wiring is required. Others will have more
offer on the subject.


.
 
Nebr_Rex said:
To much resistance. The LEDs don't flow enough current. I have not converted any
of my bikes, but I believe a different flasher and wiring is required. Others will have more
offer on the subject.


.
Click to expand...

^ This is correct. If you bought a flasher relay that is set up for LED's and already installed it (and still not working), you may need to also add resistance plugs. Also if you connect the wrong wires on the flasher, it will fry itself immediately, and you'll have to start over. Ask me how I know. :-[

I'd contact www.customled.com and tell them what you have going on. They should be able to sort it out for you. The parts are inexpensive.
 
If you have an electronic flasher, the resistance of the load plays no part in whether they will blink or not. An electronic flasher is a timer... the circuit is opened and closed at a fixed interval regardless.

Your original flasher won't work because there isn't enough current... that's why it works when you put your original blinkers back on.

It sounds to me like your electronic flasher is faulty or wired incorrectly.

-Deek
 
Yep, the electronic flashers have to be wired with the current flowing in the right direction and they need a proper ground usually to work. I had issues for a bit with mine and I had to really look at the diagram to figure out current flow. Then had to run a dedicated ground from the ground terminal on the flasher as it didn't like the common ground on the wiring harness. After that it worked just fine but it took some fussing, I hooked it up wrong a couple times without damage but some models will fry if current goes through backwards.
 
Sounds to me like there are some cheap-assed electronic flashers circulating the earth...

Maybe we should start a flasher sticky with model numbers/sources to help the would-be electricians make a good decision about their purchases?

-Deek
 
If you're using an electronic flasher and not getting flashing, usually you have the polarity backwards on the flasher. The 'B' pin on the flasher goes to the power source (brown wire) and the 'L' pin goes to the turn signal main wire (orange). Some models of flasher units also require grounds, and this can connect to a black/yellow wire or directly to bare metal on the frame.
 
problem solved...it would help to have instructions with your new tail light.
i was trying to put the load equalizers in line on the positive side instead of across from positive to negative.....thanks for all the help
 
Redbird said:
"load equalizers" and an LED flasher = Redundancy
Click to expand...

Load equalizers are usually to sort out the "4-way blink problem." I've also run into a case where both load equalizers and a LED flasher were needed to make the signals work.
 
A load equalizer is an extremely expensive way of dealing with that issue. For a vintage bike, a set of diodes leading to the turn signal indicator light on the dashboard will do the trick about 99% of the time.
 
If you're electrically challenged, superbrightleds.com sells a pigtail set with leads and pre-wired diodes for $8. Its a bit of a ripoff considering its about $2 worth of parts but if you're ordering from them anyway or can't get diodes locally/can't solder/don't know an annode from a cathode, it might be a good option.

-Deek

Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DTT Light or Dark

  • DTT Light

    • Spread the Love

    Back
    Top Bottom