Lower draw lighting

[kutter]

With my R80 installing two LED bulbs on the left side
will blink slightly faster than normal. Has a new Hella
electronic flasher unit installed.
If you replace the two incandescent on the right with LEDs
nothing will blink as there is no earth available for the LEDs.
IE the left side earths through the right incandescent bulb.
Yes, I used the term indicator in too many places. I was going to use the
term blinker which I would normally use here in Oz. I thought that would
be confusing. Confused me.

[Major Softie]

If you replace the two incandescent on the right with LEDs
nothing will blink as there is no earth available for the LEDs.
IE the left side earths through the right incandescent bulb.

This makes no sense to me. I'm not saying it didn't happen to you, I'm just saying I totally don't understand it unless there was something wrong with your wiring. The dash indicator can ground through the opposite side filaments because it's only drawing a watt or so and that amount of current won't light up the lamps in the stalks, but grounding the right side stalks through the left side stalks should light up the left side at the same time as the right by putting them in series with the right side. Plus, the schematic shows the wiring as having normal ground wiring for both sides. It sounds like there was a problem with your right side ground.

[Major Softie]

On my G/S a pair of $20- LED indicators work fine with the stock components and a resistor in the line.

I bought the resistor at the same time as the indicators and the shop only had one type. ,The indicators probably flash a little faster than OEM,but not enough to be a concern.

They were originally intended as a temp fix while the rack was being repaired and powdercoated, the rack has refitted for about a year but I haven't got round to the indicators yet, but when I do they are small enough I could probably fit them inside the stock indicator.

The resistors allow installation without the need for a special flasher, but they defeat the lower current advantage - not that this is a very important issue with something that gets as little use as turn signals. Kutter's point about the dash indicator should still be a problem though if you have a single dash indicator, but only if you replace all the signals. If you only replaced the rear, then it wouldn't be a problem.

[Bamboo812]

I'm wondering; why not just boost the output, instead of trying to trim the load...?

[Major Softie]

I'm wondering; why not just boost the output, instead of trying to trim the load...?

??????

[khittner1]

Presumably, ZM is looking for a thrifty solution, but it's unlikely that one can save enough juice from lighting to run a full jacket liner, heated grips, and anything else at the same time. Omega, Enduralast, or Silent Hectick solutions are a phone call and credit card number away.

[Major Softie]

Presumably, ZM is looking for a thrifty solution, but it's unlikely that one can save enough juice from lighting to run a full jacket liner, heated grips, and anything else at the same time. Omega, Enduralast, or Silent Hectick solutions are a phone call and credit card number away.

Ah, I see, Tim was responding to the original issue.

Yeah, like most things, the best solution is to go with a real solution.

[Chuey]

Clearly, if one could cut the normal lighting demand on the system it would be a "real solution". It may not be as simple as it sounds but that is what the original question is for, to learn if lessening the load is feasible.

Chuey

[Zombie Master]

The resistors allow installation without the need for a special flasher, but they defeat the lower current advantage - not that this is a very important issue with something that gets as little use as turn signals. Kutter's point about the dash indicator should still be a problem though if you have a single dash indicator, but only if you replace all the signals. If you only replaced the rear, then it wouldn't be a problem.

Sometimes I run my turn signals for hours

[Major Softie]

Okay, there is that....