Turn Signal Resistors

[WingNut]

I recently changed the turn signals on my bike to LED turn signals. Now the turn signals flash at a much faster speed than before. I think I might need to splice in some electrical resistors in order to slow the turn signal speed back down to normal. Has anyone done this before? If so, what size resistors are usually needed? Can they be bought somewhere like HomePro? Also, do they need to be spliced into each of the two wires for each turn signal light or just one of the two wires? Cheers...

[paz]

Around 25 - 50 Ohm. Try some electronics repair shop. Inline into one wire only, doesn't matter which.

Edited April 1, 2015 by paz

[WingNut]

Thanks. So splicing it in either on the red or the black wire is fine on each turn signal and just one is needed for each light? That electronic supply shop called Amorn in Fortune Town might have them. I think they might have a branch in Panthip too.

[bigwal]

Best and easy way is to replace flasher unit with electronic one

[BKKBike09]

Or you can maybe just order online from these guys (which is what I did). Plug and play and works a treat for my FZ09.

http://www.customled.com/collections/electronic-led-flasher-relays

[WingNut]

Or you can maybe just order online from these guys (which is what I did). Plug and play and works a treat for my FZ09.

http://www.customled.com/collections/electronic-led-flasher-relays

Those look cool but a bit more then I was thinking of spending to simply slow down my turn signals by about 1.5 seconds. And wouldn't you need one for each turn signal light, so 2 total?

[BKKBike09]

One box does all for my bike (FZ09). It's a plug and play solution. Remove stock resistor unit under seat. Plug in new box. Fixed. US$ 20 + whatever the shipping was. But if you would prefer to spend hours going to / from Amorn, possibly getting something that doesn't work, well … be my guest.

If you want to pursue a local solution it might be better to go to the Ban Mor area off Chinatown. Masses of electrical equipment places there. Plus there's a big Amorn in The Old Siam Plaza which is quite close by.

[papa al]

Resister(s) = $1-.

Plug n play = $20++.

[Dutchbike]

or 240 thb

[papa al]

Around 25 - 50 Ohm. Try some electronics repair shop. Inline into one wire only, doesn't matter which.

Right.

Stores that sell all the LED stuff should hab.

They'll likely install too.

Or buy a couple each & test to find a rate you prefer.

If inserted into the line to the flasher you'll need one;

if into each side winker circuit, then 2 total.

Best solder & heat-shrink wrap the splices.

[WingNut]

or 240 thb

turn signal relay 1.JPG

Thanks for all the different suggestions. But I will gladly pay 240 Baht for this if it is just and play solution that fixes all flashers on the bike like the other unit from the states. Do you just need one of these for the whole bike? And what are the connectors like?

If this 240 Baht is not so easy to install, I may order one of those plug and play units from the states for $20 eventually (depending on shipping cost) if I just need only one unit for the whole bike.

I'll give it some more thought. Rather not do a bunch of running around trying different things from electronics stores and splicing a bunch of times just to save about $10 if that's all the savings would really be.

Edited April 3, 2015 by WingNut

[1BADDAT]

or 240 thb

turn signal relay 1.JPG

Thanks for all the different suggestions. But I will gladly pay 240 Baht for this if it is just and play solution that fixes all flashers on the bike like the other unit from the states. Do you just need one of these for the whole bike? And what are the connectors like?

If this 240 Baht is not so easy to install, I may order one of those plug and play units from the states for $20 eventually (depending on shipping cost) if I just need only one unit for the whole bike.

I'll give it some more thought. Rather not do a bunch of running around trying different things from electronics stores and splicing a bunch of times just to save about $10 if that's all the savings would really be.

Buy a solution that is already proven. Most of the information about where to put the resistors is wrong.

The LED lights blink faster because they draw less power across the blinker circuit. Its the same phenomenon on a car if one of the turn signal lights is out. The only way to add to more power draw is to connect the resistor from the red to black wire of each side of the circuit (one for left side and one for right side).

But like you have already concluded, its is best for you to just spend a little more and buy the solution that works.

[Dutchbike]

or 240 thb

turn signal relay 1.JPG

Thanks for all the different suggestions. But I will gladly pay 240 Baht for this if it is just and play solution that fixes all flashers on the bike like the other unit from the states. Do you just need one of these for the whole bike? And what are the connectors like?

If this 240 Baht is not so easy to install, I may order one of those plug and play units from the states for $20 eventually (depending on shipping cost) if I just need only one unit for the whole bike.

I'll give it some more thought. Rather not do a bunch of running around trying different things from electronics stores and splicing a bunch of times just to save about $10 if that's all the savings would really be.

Should be easy to install, just locate your bike's relay, check the connectors, if they are different change those, one relay is enough.

The pic shows relay location on a Honda MSX125, and since Honda uses similair parts on many of there current bikes, It could be plug and play.

[WingNut]

Thanks. So the unit comes with a plugin socket and a wire coming out of it with a connector on it and it just goes in between the main turn signal relay which controls all the turn signals on the bike?

[Dutchbike]

Thanks. So the unit comes with a plugin socket and a wire coming out of it with a connector on it and it just goes in between the main turn signal relay which controls all the turn signals on the bike?

It replaces the bike's OEM relay.

comes like this:

the $ 20,- one from another posters link looks like this: or this

The only thing I'm not sure about if installation is different on bikes which have a function which operates all four indicators at the same time ( alarm lights)

For 240 baht I should say give it a try, just test it first before cutting any wires on your bike.

[WingNut]

Thanks. I guess no way to get a list of bike models it would plug and play with like it shows on that other site?

I'll have a look under the seat of my bike in a day or two and see what things look like for installed relays.

[Dutchbike]

Thanks. I guess no way to get a list of bike models it would plug and play with like it shows on that other site?

I'll have a look under the seat of my bike in a day or two and see what things look like for installed relays.

No list.

On a cbr 250 the winker relay looks like this:

[WingNut]

Thanks. Looks similar to the one in the picture you posted. I will try and find the one on my CBR650F, which is the one I need to change. I guess if I can't locate it then I can't do much. Hahah.

This also looks like the same thing on eBay for about US$1 including shipping: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-Motorcycle-Turn-Signal-Flasher-Blinker-Relay-LED-Indicator-Light-2-Pin-/281453588004

They got quite a few pictures on that listing from all sides of the unit. So I have a good idea of what it looks like now and can look for it on my bike.

Here is another one which is 3 pin. I guess some might be 2 pin and others are 3 pin: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MotorCycle-MotorBike-12V-Flasher-Relay-3-Pins-LED-Indicators-Black-150W-C101-/111078940569

Edited April 3, 2015 by WingNut

[yankee99]

Honestly ฿240 is high. Most auto part stores sell them (led flashers) for about ฿90. Not always plug n play as my bike the flasher unit is integrated in the dash.

[WingNut]

Honestly ฿240 is high. Most auto part stores sell them (led flashers) for about ฿90. Not always plug n play as my bike the flasher unit is integrated in the dash.

Which bike is that which you have?

[yankee99]

cbr600rr

[WingNut]

cbr600rr

Nice! I am wondering if anyone might have a copy of the CBR650F service manual and could tell me where the flasher unit is on my bike. Would save me from having to try and find it which might be a dead end search for me since I am not sure what I am looking for exactly anyway.

[macknife]

Why don't you just take it to a shop and have them do it for next to nothing?

[WingNut]

Unfortunately the flasher/winker unit does not appear to be visibly under the seat in the battery compartment.

[WingNut]

Turns out the flasher controller module is located underneath the gas tank and the gas tank and both fairings would need to be removed to get to it.

I have decided to order some Motorcycle LED Turn Signal Resistors (Flash Controllers). See here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380692852123

I will simply splice these in to my rear turn signals and hopefully they will solve the problem.

[paz]

Buy a solution that is already proven. Most of the information about where to put the resistors is wrong.

The LED lights blink faster because they draw less power across the blinker circuit. Its the same phenomenon on a car if one of the turn signal lights is out. The only way to add to more power draw is to connect the resistor from the red to black wire of each side of the circuit (one for left side and one for right side).

Actually it is not the "only way". Placing a resistor in parallel would share resistance with the LED, online would sum it. So, different values would be used. Both ways works.

[1BADDAT]

Buy a solution that is already proven. Most of the information about where to put the resistors is wrong.

The LED lights blink faster because they draw less power across the blinker circuit. Its the same phenomenon on a car if one of the turn signal lights is out. The only way to add to more power draw is to connect the resistor from the red to black wire of each side of the circuit (one for left side and one for right side).

Actually it is not the "only way". Placing a resistor in parallel would share resistance with the LED, online would sum it. So, different values would be used. Both ways works.

Placing a resistor In series (one wire) will make the signal blink faster. Placing the resistor in parallel (across the two wires) will make it blink slower.

[paz]

Placing a resistor In series (one wire) will make the signal blink faster. Placing the resistor in parallel (across the two wires) will make it blink slower.

You are right. Thanks for the correction.

[WingNut]

Got some of those resistors on eBay. Wired them in wrong the first time and blew a fuse a couple times, but got them wired in correctly eventually and working great now. No more fast blinker problems. Sweet. But the wires are a mess. I can live with that though. But the resistors do get quite hot. Hope they don't melt through the plastic housing they are resting on. Not much I can do I guess. Maybe I will lay one of those static free silver looking bags underneath all the wires (the ones that hard drives and computer components are normally packaged in). The bag should add a heat buffer in between the heat from the resistors and the plastic casing.

I also have a few empty holes now that were being covered by the old fender assembly and are exposed now on the bottom of the battery compartment. Water could get into the battery compartment now through those holes if it rains from the back tire kicking up water onto the rear fender and through those holes. I guess I need to fill them with silicone or try and find some rubber grommets to fill them. I guess silicone is easier.

Never thought putting on a simple tail tidy and a couple of LED turn signals would turn out to be such a palaver.

I've since wrapped all 8 of those red wire connectors in black electrical tape to insulate and waterproof them a bit. And here is how I eventually wired them in:

Edited April 21, 2015 by WingNut

[yankee99]

Although resistors work a relay is the way to go. No heat, quicker install and cheaper.