LED 1156 and 1157

[G-Man]

Ordered an received LED 1156 and 1157's.  Replaced an 1156 in the rear and hit the indicator switch.  The indicators on THAT side of the bike blinked fast and the other side remained normal.  Replaced the other rear 1156 and that side also began to blink fast.  so, now both sides of the bike blink independently, just fast.  Then I replaced one 1157 up front.  That side continued to blink fast, independent of the other side.  When I replaced the other 1157 up front it all went to crap.  Hitting the indicator swith one way made them all blink fast.  The other way dimmed the fronts and nothing happened in the rear (no lights at all).  I did replace the running/stop rear with an LED 1157 and it works fine.

Any suggestions?

[sandy]

Turn signals need a specific current draw to make the flasher work properly. LED's use very little current and the flasher won't work. You need to add a load equalizer into the turn signal circuit, but then you're using the same overall electricity as you were with stock bulbs. I believe that there's a solid state flasher unit that can also be bought to use instead of a load equalizer. Your issue is why I don't use LED's in the turn signal bulbs, only tail and brake bulbs are LED's.

[dreamaker]

I had the same problem, I just left the stock bulbs in the front. The front appeared brighter then my LEDs. I was concerned with people behind me seeing me. I also left the fast blink so I would stand out from the background. The point is to be noticed so you don't get run over.

Dan

[R J]

Ordered an received LED 1156 and 1157's.  Replaced an 1156 in the rear and hit the indicator switch.  The indicators on THAT side of the bike blinked fast and the other side remained normal.  Replaced the other rear 1156 and that side also began to blink fast.  so, now both sides of the bike blink independently, just fast.  Then I replaced one 1157 up front.  That side continued to blink fast, independent of the other side.  When I replaced the other 1157 up front it all went to crap.  Hitting the indicator swith one way made them all blink fast.  The other way dimmed the fronts and nothing happened in the rear (no lights at all).  I did replace the running/stop rear with an LED 1157 and it works fine.

Any suggestions?

You need an equalizer of some sort in the turn signal circuit.   When I converted mine to LED way back before stone wheels, no one was aware of the problem.  So, to make em work, I added a cheap bullet light under the saddlebag in the turn signal circuit.  It slowed the flash down and has been that way for a little over 9 years now.....  I also painted the lenses black so as to not have a light visible under there blinking on turns....  That is the cheapest way around your problem.  If ya change both front and rear to LED, you will need to add a light in each circuit.  That be 4 lamps.  I only did the rears........

This is only needed in the turn signal circuit.  All others no problem.....

[dreamaker]

Check this out this might help.

Dan

http://www.superbrightleds.com/tail-brake-turn.html

[John U.]

Gman, you are better off with an electronic flasher relay http://www.customdynamics.com/trick_flasher.htm#Standard_DOT_Flasher
the load equalizers can generate a lot of heat and will use as much power as standard bulbs, which eliminates one of the advantages or LEDs.
To use LED front turn signals you will need a diode kit. Search the Custom Dynaics site for # GEN-MDK . The kit is 6.95 and will prevent voltage from crossing over through the turn signal indicator light.
I had trouble with 1157 amber LED clusters that did wierd things even with the diode kit installed. The fix was to power the running lights with separate hot wires. The Custom Dynamics tech support people are very helpful, they talked me through getting the wiring right, about 5 phonecalls worth. The result is great.
No affiliation etc.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

If you want brighter front turn signals and run a 3496 bulb  they'll still blink faster than normal but the 3496 is three time brighter that stock 1157.