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Info Changing flasher to LED bulbs.

Discussion in 'Honda 250cc Singles' started by TrickyMicky, Sep 13, 2022.

  1. TrickyMicky

    TrickyMicky Active Member

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    Greetings from the land of The New King. Recently had the indicators on the GB250 fail, unplugged the flasher unit and bridged the appropriate wires to confirm that the switch/wiring/bulbs were ok. So, new flasher unit needed, only one OE part available at a price that resembled a telephone number. Think!! It does not have to be a motorcycle unit does it? it's 12volt and runs 21watt bulbs. Looked on website of a British supplier of high quality LED bulbs, and they offer a flasher unit the size of a normal relay which will operate either type of bulb, or even a mix of the two with our altering the flash rate. Ordered one with 4 LED bulbs, and when delivered, thought I would try it on the old 400/4 first as the wiring and connectors are a lot easier to access. Result being jaw dropping brilliance. Ordered same again for the 250, and started fitting. Flasher unit fitted and tried with original bulbs, no problem. Changed rear bulbs to LED's, WOW, magic. Changed the front bulbs to LED's, switched on, WHAT THE HELL! 3 lights flashing while the fourth was having a fit. Contact supplier, who fortunately knows his vehicles. The 400 has separate warning lights for each side, but the 250 only has a single warning light. Apparently with the single warning lamp, if you switch the left indicators on, the small amount of current needed to go to earth from the warning lamp does so by running through to the bulb units on the right side, and vice versa. There is not enough current to illuminate the bulbs. If you fit LED's, they require so little current to illuminate that the small amount running to earth will do this!! Am now in the process of fitting two separate warning lights to hopefully cure the problem. We just love our hobby, don't we???? Regards to all. Mike.
     
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  2. DannoXYZ

    DannoXYZ Well-Known Member

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    Hi, yeah LEDs are so efficient, they can light even with small current that's ALREADY gone through indicator bulb.

    Easier fix than fitting separate indicator bulb is 2 isolation diodes.
     
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  3. TrickyMicky

    TrickyMicky Active Member

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    Thanks Danno, sorry for late response. I don't mind simple electrics, but I'm out of my depth when it comes to electronics, so I took the old fashioned route and cut and shaped two pieces of metal strip, sprayed them silver, mounted them between the clocks, and installed two waterproof LED orange warning lights. Found it a lot easier than messing around in the restricted space inside the headlamp shell, and believe it or not, they actually work!!!
     
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  4. DannoXYZ

    DannoXYZ Well-Known Member

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    Good job! :)
    Any photos of your mod for future searches? Thx
     
  5. TrickyMicky

    TrickyMicky Active Member

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    I will see if I can master the technology required to attach pics! Regarding the electrics, I just dug inside the headlamp shell, severed the orange and blue wires between switch and warning lamp, and reconnected them to the new wires, plus the earths of course. Appropriate size black heat shrink made ideal weatherproof covering for the base of the new lights also.

    52DF7866-8400-400C-B8DB-C846F7762F1B.jpeg 79D4C0AA-7DAC-4500-AD6B-692FE9F30977.jpeg
     
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  6. DannoXYZ

    DannoXYZ Well-Known Member

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    That's awesome work! :)
     
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  7. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    Simple and sweet.
     
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