GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Electrics => Topic started by: Endless on Monday, 06 March 2017, 03:00 PM

Title: LED blinkers
Post by: Endless on Monday, 06 March 2017, 03:00 PM
Disclaimer: I've a pretty basic understanding of electrics..
Globe type blinker busted, not worth fixing. Went to bike shop, "salesman" pulls out LEDS that are the same shape as my globes types. Sweet. I'm sure I know it's not gonna work without changing resistance in the system somewhere but he convinced me otherwise. Must be making pretty smart LED lights now or something. Sure enough, I fit them and I've got a hyperflashing party on turns on my globes and no signal at all on the LEDS.

Questions....  all I need to do to fix this is buy a 7pin flasher relay for LEDS? Can I run globes on front and LEDS on rear with it? Will swap all over eventually, but the shape of both types is the same so wont do it unless I have to.
Also, my horn has quit working since putting em on? Fuse is all good. Know the fuse is same for blinker and horn - are they related anywhere else I should look.. before pulling things apart like a monkey? :grin:
Thanks you mob!
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: VladTepes on Monday, 06 March 2017, 03:16 PM
You are right in your understanding that there needs to be added resistors in the system to make the LED indicators flash at the correct rate / at all.

An LED draws far less current than a conventional incandescent bulb. A proper LED set up will add in a load resistor to help match the original current draw. The resistor is just wired in parallel with the LED.

Some direct replacement led 'globes' may have a resistor built in to the LED driver module, but most don't.

An LED flasher relay will solve your issues as far as the flashing goes, if all lights on
that circuit are LED.  It MAY work with a mix of traditional and LED bulbs if the flasher unit is not at all load-dependent, but I have never seen a setup like that. People tend to replace them all together not have different F&R.


I'm no expert so the above should be taken with a grain of salt, and a liberal grind of pepper...
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: gsxbarmy on Monday, 06 March 2017, 04:07 PM
Must admit I'm not sure whether fitting an LED relay will work if you are using 2 normal and 2 LED. if you are intending to swap to LED completely then I'd fit the relay and other 2 LED flashers now and have done with it, else I'd leave as is, buy some resistors and fit them inline with the 2 new LED flashers to slow them down.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Pieces-LED-Indicator-50W-6-Flash-Rate-Relay-Load-Resistor-Bulbs-Ballast-NEW-/171396959845?hash=item27e80e0e65:g:HskAAOSwWnFV-iey
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: northern on Monday, 06 March 2017, 06:04 PM
I had tried 2 normal and 2 led signals on my bike.
If you use OEM relay, then turn signals will blink faster, as they sum resistance will be smaller, then 4 regular turn signals.

If you install LED suitable relay, then it will flash with normal rate.
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: Notty on Monday, 06 March 2017, 06:37 PM
2 normal and 2 led signals work fine with LED relay - i used this one only £8.98 ! free p&p
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-Pin-Suzuki-LED-Indicator-Flasher-Relay-SV-650-1000-DR-Z-400S-TL1000R-GSX-1400-/351508743021?hash=item51d78dc36d:g:R2YAAOSwbsBXmvsy
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: Endless on Monday, 06 March 2017, 09:48 PM
Sounds good fellas, seems I was on the right track.

Thats the info I need Notty, will try that one to run the combo. Much cheaper than the $50 ones I was looking at too, will see how they go in the long run.

:onya:

Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: froudy on Tuesday, 07 March 2017, 01:08 AM
With a 7 pin LED compatible relay fitted you can have all 4 LED indicators or just 2 along with OEM units...It works fine.
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: Endless on Tuesday, 07 March 2017, 09:33 AM
Cheers Froudy. I'm on a hard ass budget til July so won't bother buying the front pair of LEDS til then. Relay is on its way.  :grin:
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: BlueDragon on Thursday, 03 October 2019, 09:18 PM
Digging up an old thread here.

I installed LED indicators on the 1400 with a LED relay.  Whilst all worked fine and the indicators were flashing at a normal rate same as the normal bulbs were.

But...  what I noticed is this..

with the LED indicators, there seemed to be a pause between me pushing the indicator button on the switch block and the indicators coming on.. 
Effectively, the flash seemed to start with   off - on - off - on.

whilst with the normal bulbs and the standard relay the flash was instant..   effectively..  on - off - on  - off

I then tried with normal bulbs and the LED relay - and got the pause again so it was  off - on - off - on.

Has anyone else noticed this?

I was wondering if it would be any different if I just used the standard relay and used inline resistors instead with the LED indicators.

The pause - whilst not a big deal, is a good 1.5 second I would estimate - when using the LED relay, between turning the indicators on to when they do actually turn on.

for the fact that in Australia, the rule being you need to have the indicators on 3 secs before turning, adjusting isn't a huge deal, but is a habit to adjust to allow extra time for the indicators to turn on after I push the switch.

So is anyone here using LED indicators with the inline resistors and the standard relay?

I did find an article online that in fact recommended not using a LED indicator relay if the relay does more than just the indicators.

The reason being as follows

"The original relay must not be integrated in a multifunctional electronics unit (this is the case if there are more than three cable outlets)."

Clearly the GSX 1400 relay has 7 pins..  so does other things aside from the indicators..  so wondering if this is the reason for the pause to start, rather than instantly on with the indicator.
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: VladTepes on Monday, 28 October 2019, 02:09 PM
An interesting question I'd never noticed (never looked for it either) but will have a check of mine tonight.
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: BlueDragon on Tuesday, 29 October 2019, 05:04 PM
I'll be interested to see if you find the same thing.

I didn't notice it to start with.  But once I got on the road, I noticed it more when I was glancing at the gauges as I turned the indicators on.  It wasn't an immediate turning on.  It turned on once the switch returned to the centre position.
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: Athelstanexxx on Thursday, 22 April 2021, 06:42 PM
I am to purchase this item, as a direct replacement for the OEM one
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174202808761
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: grog on Thursday, 22 April 2021, 06:58 PM
I just ordered relay. They all seemed chinese so bought cheapest, $15. Up to $150 which seemed to look same. Never changed from original before, ordered set of led indicators, wiring adaptors.Will see how i go. 
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: KiwiCol on Thursday, 22 April 2021, 07:02 PM
Quote from: Athelstanexxx on Thursday, 22 April  2021, 06:42 PM
I am to purchase this item, as a direct replacement for the OEM one
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174202808761


Seems bloody expensive from where I'm sitting.  Grog has a better buy for sure.
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: grog on Thursday, 22 April 2021, 07:25 PM
Col, i wanted a good brand, Bosch or similar, just couldnt find. Hope the chinese version doesnt stuff up electrics. Very dubious, Repco used to sell Narva one, not anymore. If you dont jump, youll never know.
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: Hooli on Thursday, 22 April 2021, 07:57 PM
As these do the starter too, I got a cheapo one & keep the original in a sealed bag under the seat. If it does die then I can put the original back so the starter works, riding with no indicators isn't a huge issue after all.
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: Eric GSX1400K3 on Thursday, 22 April 2021, 08:27 PM
Should be right grog, my led 7 pin relay was $5 no name brand via ebay from hong kong, still works a treat. The suzuki original is in my shed.  Good tip from hooli though, wasnt aware that same relay affects the starter motor.
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: grog on Thursday, 22 April 2021, 08:45 PM
Thanks Hooli, didnt know/realise is starter relay. 👍
Title: Re: LED blinkers
Post by: Hooli on Thursday, 22 April 2021, 08:54 PM
I'm sure I've read that on here somewhere or in the workshop manual, I don't think I actually tried it while the relay was out to prove it.