LED Lights
I have the HD LED all the way around on my Heritage. I started with the daymaker head and passing light. A year later installed the bright lights strobe LED taillights and HD front and rear LED turn signals. I also installed the HD wiring harness front and rear to tie in the passing lights with the high beam an the rear turn signals with the rear brake light.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 709
From: San Diego
A load stabilizer is only necessary if the CAN bus is present. The OP did not specify what year his bike is. IIRC, the CAN bus was introduced in the 2011 model year. Others, please correct me if the CAN bus was introduced in a different model year.
Without going into detail about the CAN bus, suffice it to say it is sensitive to voltage ("load") changes caused by modifications to any electrical component/system, including the bikes lighting. Load stabilizers correct these voltage differences so the CAN bus system does not suspect a malfunction.
Without going into detail about the CAN bus, suffice it to say it is sensitive to voltage ("load") changes caused by modifications to any electrical component/system, including the bikes lighting. Load stabilizers correct these voltage differences so the CAN bus system does not suspect a malfunction.
The reason you use a load stabilizer is because LED's cause way less resistance. Less resistance makes a flasher relay flash quicker. So, when you put LED's into a system that uses a flasher relay the indicators will flash quicker. The load stabilizers just add resistance.
Can Bus systems do not use a flasher relay for the turn signals, it is controlled by the Body Control Module. However, they have programmed this to still see a bulb out, and when that happens the indicator on your dash will blink fast. The turn signal bulbs still blink normal speed though.
So, in short, you can use the stabilizers on a CAN BUS bike if you want, but it is in no way required.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 709
From: San Diego
The HD turn signal LED lights are designed to work with this electrical system and do not require load stabilizers.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: .....
I have Custom Dynamics r/s/t lights. Great company, great lights. So easy to install. I would have went with a Truck Lite headlight but they don't make a 5" one, so I had to go with the HD version.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
CDs lights...or mine...have 48 bulbs, which may help make the brighter.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
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From: Badlands of ND
I have replaced all the lights on my Heritage with HD LED's. They are ell designed and are just pug and play. Take out the old bulbs, put in th new ones. The change in visibility is amazing.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,097
Likes: 13,030
From: Texas, USA
You have this backwards. Can Bus bikes DO NOT need a load stabilizer.
The reason you use a load stabilizer is because LED's cause way less resistance. Less resistance makes a flasher relay flash quicker. So, when you put LED's into a system that uses a flasher relay the indicators will flash quicker. The load stabilizers just add resistance.
Can Bus systems do not use a flasher relay for the turn signals, it is controlled by the Body Control Module. However, they have programmed this to still see a bulb out, and when that happens the indicator on your dash will blink fast. The turn signal bulbs still blink normal speed though.
So, in short, you can use the stabilizers on a CAN BUS bike if you want, but it is in no way required.
The reason you use a load stabilizer is because LED's cause way less resistance. Less resistance makes a flasher relay flash quicker. So, when you put LED's into a system that uses a flasher relay the indicators will flash quicker. The load stabilizers just add resistance.
Can Bus systems do not use a flasher relay for the turn signals, it is controlled by the Body Control Module. However, they have programmed this to still see a bulb out, and when that happens the indicator on your dash will blink fast. The turn signal bulbs still blink normal speed though.
So, in short, you can use the stabilizers on a CAN BUS bike if you want, but it is in no way required.