Help! LED Load Equalizer Problems???

[forjj]

I recently installed LED front turn signals, and have the stock rear turn signals still on the bike.  I bought a load equalizer from the Honda shop, installed it, and now I am getting BOTH turn signals flashing when I put either turn signal on.  Is this an issue with the install of the equalizer, or is it because I still have stock turn signals on the rear?
I have rear LED signals on the way, but I am planning a 3 day,1600 mile ride for next week, and don't think I will have time to get the rear LED's installed before the trip.
I am going to check the installation of the equalizer, just to make sure that there isn't a loose wire, but other than that, I am lost...
Any suggestions?

[forjj]

Update--I wanted to add that it is just the REAR turn signals that are both flashing.  The front LED's are working perfectly. 

[Valkpilot]

Update--I wanted to add that it is just the REAR turn signals that are both flashing.  The front LED's are working perfectly. 

It's likely that the signal from the right side is bleeding over to the left side, and vise versa.  Look closely and I think you'll see one side is more faint than the other and it is on when the other is off.

This happens through the bulb filament of the turn signal indicator lamp.  The quick and easy solution is to pull the bulb and do without the indicator.  The real solution is to install a diode in each of the turn signal wires at the bulb, connect them both to the same side of th bulb, and connect the other side of the bulb to ground.

[forjj]

Thanks!  I will try pulling the indicator bulb, even if its just for the trip next week.  Do you think I will need the diodes if I install rear LED's?  I am planning on installing them as soon as they come in, but I was thinking I could probably "engineer" a temporary LED set up for the rear, if that would fix the problem???

[Valkpilot]

Thanks!  I will try pulling the indicator bulb, even if its just for the trip next week.  Do you think I will need the diodes if I install rear LED's?  I am planning on installing them as soon as they come in, but I was thinking I could probably "engineer" a temporary LED set up for the rear, if that would fix the problem???

Actually, I only encountered the problem after I installed LED turn signals all the way around on a bike.  Since you're only half-pregnant, a variable load electronic flasher might work.

[forjj]

Thats not the answer I was hoping to hear...I was hoping that the load equalizer would be all I would need, now it sounds like it will be a little more work than I had planned...

[Gear Jammer]

Thats not the answer I was hoping to hear...I was hoping that the load equalizer would be all I would need, now it sounds like it will be a little more work than I had planned...

Welcome to my world,,,    

[R J]

If it is not the indicator bulb as suggested above, I'd start looking at all the grounds in the turn signal circuit.

What has probably happened, you lost a ground in the rear setup when working with the wires, and that bad circuit is flying around in the circuit looking for a ground.

[forjj]

If it is not the indicator bulb as suggested above, I'd start looking at all the grounds in the turn signal circuit.

What has probably happened, you lost a ground in the rear setup when working with the wires, and that bad circuit is flying around in the circuit looking for a ground.

I'll double check all the connections tomorrow, and maybe even re-do them, just to make sure there aren't any ground/connections issues.  I don't mind wasting a few connectors to save a lot of troubleshooting and headaches.

[John U.]

Custom Dynamics sells a plug and play electronic signal relay pretty reasonable. Use the link and look at the first one you come to "Standard DOT Flasher":     http://www.customdynamics.com/trick_flasher.htm                                                                                                 

If you use one and take your load equalizer off you will reduce the load on the alternator and the heat that the load equalizer generates. I haven't had any problems running without an equalizer.
When i installed my LED turn signals the fronts would not work properly without the diode kit. I think RJ is right, a bad ground will cause the circuit to ground through the signal bulb which is supposed to be not working, making it light more faintly. However I still think you will need a diode kit, which Custom Dynamics also sells. No relationship, just a satisfied customer.

[John Schmidt]

Check out the link below. Our metric bikes have a single turn signal switch and a single line running through the indicator bulb. When you add LED turns front or back, that generally will cause problems with them. Power will backfeed across the indicator on the headlight and the LED's will all flash at once. You don't need two diodes, just the one kit in the link. Easy hook up in the headlight bucket, maybe 20 minutes tops if you're spastic. 

http://www.kuryakyn.com/Products/719/Diode-Kit

[forjj]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions!!!  I finally got it fixed.  I added in-line resistors to the LED lights, and removed the load equalizer and it worked great.

When I get the rear turn signals switched to LED, will I need another set of the resistors, or is one enough?

Thanks, again, guys!!

[X Ring]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions!!!  I finally got it fixed.  I added in-line resistors to the LED lights, and removed the load equalizer and it worked great.

When I get the rear turn signals switched to LED, will I need another set of the resistors, or is one enough?

Thanks, again, guys!!

By adding resistors to the turn signals you have nullified the load released by the leds and created a heat issue.  Exactly what the load equalizers do.  The Kury diode kit that John recommended is the correct solution to this problem.  You were suffering feedback through the single turn signal indicator.  All my turn signals are led.  I have the Custom Dynamics flasher that John U. mentioned plus I used their kit to add hazard lights.  If you're going to use led signals, you might as well do it right.

Marty

[forjj]

Marty--Created a heat issue where?  The resistors?  or the flasher?  Just curious, so that I can keep an eye on things, especially the first few rides, just to make sure its not a problem.  I can't imagine the system generating too much heat, its not like I am riding with the blinker on for 10 minutes at a time, but I will check things in a few weeks.

[X Ring]

Resistors add resistance to the circuit and heat is the result.  Load equalizers bring the electrical load on the circuit back up to what it was with incandescent bulbs.  It does this by adding resistance to the circuit and again heat is the result.  For your information, the turn signal circuit has a slight current constantly running through it; therefore, the load equalizer is constantly generating heat and if they are not placed in an area that gets airflow it can result in damage to the wiring by overheating.  When I was using them in my Tourer, I had them in under the right side cover.  Pulled it off to check something and accidentally touched them.  They were HOT!  I decided then and there to find a better solution.  Custom Dynamics' LED Flasher solved my problem and using their diode kit on the turn signal indicator stopped the cross feeding.

The idea behind LED lights is to reduce the load on your electrical system so you can run auxiliary lights, GPS, heated gear, etc. without taxing the alternator.  Plus some of them are pretty cool.  I use the Kury mirrors with the LED turn signal/running lights. 

Marty

[forjj]

Marty--I had a chance to check the resistors that I installed, and they were not even warm, unless I left the turn signals on for a while.  I guess I should have mentioned, I installed a 2-wire turn signal, so there is no juice running through resistors unless I have the turn signal on.  Long term, I will probably install an led flasher like you recommend, but the resistors seem to work fine for non-marker light installations.

Thanks again for all of your help! 

Jason