LED turn signal question?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Richmond, VA
LED turn signal question?
I have finally decided to rid my bike of the factory rear turn signals and replace them with some sleeker new LED's. My question is this. I have installed the run/brake/turn module and the factory signals are of course single filament 1156 bulbs. If I install aftermarket LED's, will they work with the run/brake/turn module? I would hate to loose that option as having lots of light on the back of the bike is a good thing. I just can't see trusting my life to a single 1157 filament on a dark hyway. Anyways, will LED's work with that module? If not, what are my options?
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,875
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From: Texas
I have finally decided to rid my bike of the factory rear turn signals and replace them with some sleeker new LED's. My question is this. I have installed the run/brake/turn module and the factory signals are of course single filament 1156 bulbs. If I install aftermarket LED's, will they work with the run/brake/turn module? I would hate to loose that option as having lots of light on the back of the bike is a good thing. I just can't see trusting my life to a single 1157 filament on a dark hyway. Anyways, will LED's work with that module? If not, what are my options?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,281
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From: southeast PA
The LEDs should work with your module. Without a load equalizer the lights will flash at double speed and could make the red security light come on. Some of the r/b/t modules have the equalizer built in, otherwise you can get one that is plug and play.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: SC Lowcountry
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 4
From: Kennewick, WA
I have finally decided to rid my bike of the factory rear turn signals and replace them with some sleeker new LED's. My question is this. I have installed the run/brake/turn module and the factory signals are of course single filament 1156 bulbs. If I install aftermarket LED's, will they work with the run/brake/turn module? I would hate to loose that option as having lots of light on the back of the bike is a good thing. I just can't see trusting my life to a single 1157 filament on a dark hyway. Anyways, will LED's work with that module? If not, what are my options?_________________________
You will probably want to wire in an equalizer if you can't find one to plug in to the r/b/t module that you bought.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
I had a R/T/S module with stock bulbs. There wasn't enough contrast between the running light & the stop light... riders behind me thought my brake lights were stuck on.
I changed the bulbs to LED bulbs and got the same (brighter) results.
Then I got the Dynamic Clusters that are 3 lights in 1 (they are pictured at the bottom of the link page above).
These work fantastic, w/o the R/S/T module! I was glad to get ride of the module... one less thing that might fail in the middle of a ride.
I still have the stock turn sigs up front... a load equalizer isn't needed with this set up.
If you subtract the price of the R/S/T module from the cost of the DC bulbs you end up with @ a $20 up grade.
I changed the bulbs to LED bulbs and got the same (brighter) results.
Then I got the Dynamic Clusters that are 3 lights in 1 (they are pictured at the bottom of the link page above).
These work fantastic, w/o the R/S/T module! I was glad to get ride of the module... one less thing that might fail in the middle of a ride.
I still have the stock turn sigs up front... a load equalizer isn't needed with this set up.
If you subtract the price of the R/S/T module from the cost of the DC bulbs you end up with @ a $20 up grade.
Last edited by 08fxdf43202; Oct 26, 2011 at 09:45 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 4
From: Kennewick, WA
I had a R/T/S module with stock bulbs. There wasn't enough contrast between the running light & the stop light... riders behind me thought my brake lights were stuck on.
I changed the bulbs to LED bulbs and got the same (brighter) results.
Then I got the Dynamic Clusters that are 3 lights in 1 (they are pictured at the bottom of the link page above).
These work fantastic, w/o the R/S/T module! I was glad to get ride of the module... one less thing that might fail in the middle of a ride.
I still have the stock turn sigs up front... a load equalizer isn't needed with this set up.
If you subtract the price of the R/S/T module from the cost of the DC bulbs you end up with @ a $20 up grade.
I changed the bulbs to LED bulbs and got the same (brighter) results.
Then I got the Dynamic Clusters that are 3 lights in 1 (they are pictured at the bottom of the link page above).
These work fantastic, w/o the R/S/T module! I was glad to get ride of the module... one less thing that might fail in the middle of a ride.
I still have the stock turn sigs up front... a load equalizer isn't needed with this set up.
If you subtract the price of the R/S/T module from the cost of the DC bulbs you end up with @ a $20 up grade.
On the other hand, my experiences with the r/b/t load equalizer and converted LED rear turn signals was nothing but good. I've had riders behind me remark how super bright they were, ask what I had and where to buy them. The contrast between running and braking is very noticeable. Perhaps my particular conversion, that I mentioned earlier, has more contrast than what you were using.
BTW, I couldn't find your referenced Dynamic Clusters "pictured at the bottom of the link page above" that you mentioned. If they are an all-in-one center mounted tail light/run light/turn signal then many states don't allow them. My state requires turn signals to be a certain distance apart. That's a real inconvenience for my "street legal" and licensed dirt bike.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 934
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From: PNW, USA
BTW, I couldn't find your referenced Dynamic Clusters "pictured at the bottom of the link page above" that you mentioned. If they are an all-in-one center mounted tail light/run light/turn signal then many states don't allow them. My state requires turn signals to be a certain distance apart. That's a real inconvenience for my "street legal" and licensed dirt bike.
I believe they are this insert:
http://www.customdynamics.com/motorc...c_clusters.htm
They have separate wiring for running and brake lights so they don't need the r/b/t module. Separate color leds for turn signals using the standard wiring to the bullet and red leds for run/brake which have two different intensities.
They cost $32 more than the rad's, but you save the r/b/t module cost.
Bet they look cool with smoked lens.