Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Load Equalizer clarification

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 7, 2020 | 07:49 PM
  #1  
tunafisher729's Avatar
tunafisher729
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 180
Likes: 54
From: California
Default Load Equalizer clarification

I've done a few searches, but getting a little confused and need some clarification. I wanted to install an additional LED under the fender taillight on my 2008 nightster. I currently have the stock all in one rear turn signal/running light/stop light setup. Do I need a load equalizer if I strictly use it as an additional stop light by splicing into the brake wire? Could I also utilize the running light and stop light function without one? Appreciate any help, thanks. I'm looking at installing something like this to increase my visibilty.:

https://www.ebay.com/i/332080562781?...YaArzOEALw_wcB
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2020 | 07:52 PM
  #2  
RANGER73's Avatar
RANGER73
Club Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,430
Likes: 7,124
From: Beyond Fucital
Default

No. Only if you went all LEDs
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2020 | 09:17 PM
  #3  
VAFish's Avatar
VAFish
Grand HDF Member
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,312
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by RANGER73
No. Only if you went all LEDs

What he said.

You need the load balancers if you go all LED because the LED draws less power and the bike thinks the bulb is burned out. If you have the Incandescent there drawing the power it acts like the load balancer does.
 
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 06:58 AM
  #4  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

The only condition you need a load equalizer is if you replace incandescent bulbs in your direction indicator lamps with LEDs. The reason why is that the stock flasher unit is designed to flash incandescent bulbs, not the very low power consumption LED bulbs.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2020 | 07:15 PM
  #5  
VAFish's Avatar
VAFish
Grand HDF Member
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,312
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by grbrown
The only condition you need a load equalizer is if you replace incandescent bulbs in your direction indicator lamps with LEDs. The reason why is that the stock flasher unit is designed to flash incandescent bulbs, not the very low power consumption LED bulbs.

I find it funny that three of us are telling him the same answer, but giving a different part of the explanation. He'll get the whole store between us.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2020 | 07:20 PM
  #6  
John Harper's Avatar
John Harper
HDF Community Team
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,560
Likes: 3,986
From: San Diego, CA
Community Team
Default

Originally Posted by VAFish
I find it funny that three of us are telling him the same answer, but giving a different part of the explanation. He'll get the whole store between us.
The blind men and an elephant.

John
 
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2020 | 03:31 AM
  #7  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Cool

Originally Posted by VAFish
I find it funny that three of us are telling him the same answer, but giving a different part of the explanation. He'll get the whole store between us.
We'll get there, if OP calls by again!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GoOrdnance
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
4
May 17, 2016 11:42 AM
rlowride
Sportster Models
2
May 30, 2013 11:45 PM
DanDman
Touring Models
7
Nov 15, 2011 06:32 AM
PopsHD
Dyna Glide Models
10
Nov 9, 2010 06:49 PM
powdercoater
General Harley Davidson Chat
6
Oct 23, 2007 09:29 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:36 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE