Making Marker Lights Flash

[natemoen]

There are 2 side marker lights on the Pacifico fairing and I want to make them flash with the turn signals. Only thing I can think of is to connect a normally closed relay on each marker lights positive lead that is triggered by that sides turn signal. The marker would flash alternately of the turn signal but I don't really care about that.

Anyone have any better ideas?

[crazy steve]

Look at the wiring diagram for a '79SF, specifically how the single turn indicator light is wired. Same trick, the indicator light gets it's ground through the other turn light. Only problem with this is the marker light will only come on when the turn is working.

The other thing you could do would be to put a resistor (you may have to experiment with size) in line with a power wire from the turn light and hook it to the ground wire of the marker light. That will reduce the voltage drop across the light and dim it when the turn is 'on'. I'd start at about 10 ohms, maybe have to go slightly larger or smaller depending on how 'off' you want the light.

Both methods have the advantage of no moving parts (the latter method will likely need an aftermarket flasher), otherwise a relay would do it to.

[crazy steve]

I should also note that I'd use a wire-wound resistor (25 watts or so) rather than a semi-conductor type so it's doesn't burn up quickly. It will get hot if the turn is on for an extended time, so install it so it can't burn something else up...

[natemoen]

I don't want resistors, plus this is all working with LED bulbs. And I have a '78 so the single indicator is not an issue.

[crazy steve]

If all the lights (including the side markers) are LED and you don't want resistors, then relays will be your only choice....

[natemoen]

Yup, all will be LED very, very soon.

On a side note, anyone with a pacifico fairing that want's LED side markers these are a near perfect match for the side markers, just need to widen the hole behind the marker.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o00_s00_i00

Now how does one size a relay?

[crazy steve]

...Now how does one size a relay?

In this case, the smallest you can find. Relays are 'sized' by the current they need to switch so that they won't be burned up by overcurrent. You're switching milliamps, so just about anything with a separate control coil will work. I haven't seen any three-wire solid-state relays with NC 'contacts' (but haven't looked either) but they would very likely be more expensive compared to a conventional type.

[fredintoon]

I don't want resistors, plus this is all working with LED bulbs. And I have a '78 so the single indicator is not an issue.

Hi Nate,
now you tell us, it's all LEDs?
I can't see a third LED bulb upsetting the LED-specific flasher, just wire it up in parallel.

[natemoen]

Hi Nate,
now you tell us, it's all LEDs?
I can't see a third LED bulb upsetting the LED-specific flasher, just wire it up in parallel.

Can't do that Fred, it is a single filament marker light. If I did that then it would always be off unless the turn signal was on.

[fredintoon]

Can't do that Fred, it is a single filament marker light. If I did that then it would always be off unless the turn signal was on.

Hi Nate,
so swap the marker lamps for ones that have the LED equivalent to twin filament bulbs.
Or add more lamps.
It's better to look like a Christmas tree than to not be visible.

[natemoen]

Good luck finding something that fits and looks right.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Nate,

Shortly after you posted this thread, I looked up what your fairing looked like, what the marker light looked like, and the one from Amazon that you said would make a good replacement. The Amazon unit looked like it would come apart, the yellow reflector/bulb cover from the chrome base...via the 2 small screws?

I don't know what the OEM fairing light assembly looks like, especially on the inside or whether it can be taken apart aside from just taking the bulb out from the inside? The reason why I'm wondering/asking is that IF it can be taken apart.....the Amazon one looked like it was fairly large, a few inches long and almost 2" wide. SuperbrightLEDS.com makes an 1157 style "bulb" assembly, where the 36 dual brightness lights/diodes are on a flat square ~1" PCB, and have separate wires that run to an 1157 bulb base to plug into an 1157 socket. Those wires can be cut/spliced so you don't have to use the actual 1157 bulb base. "SOME" of their specialty PCB type assemblies can NOT be removed/separated from their bulb base because they have some of the control circuitry built into the bulb base, but I don't remember seeing that stipulation for their 1157 PCB type assembly. It does however, only come in RED or WHITE, not yellow, but the yellow reflector housing should keep it looking yellow.

Just a thought vs. trying to wire in relays, diodes and such? They are a little expensive at some $15.00 ea!

T.C.

[natemoen]

Decent idea but the original lights have the small bs9 bulbs in them. The housing is a very brittle plastic that wouldn't take well to modding. Plus one housing was all melted anyways.

The LEDs I linked too (Blazer part number C555A) is an exact match to the originals. They don't stick out on the Inside of the fairing either so you get a little more room inside compared to the originals. Plus they are really bright and light up the road on the sides only the bike.

[TheFrugalTech]

If you are running all LEDs then maybe the relays would be the way to go if they pull enough to allow the original flasher to work. Price of the LED flasher compared to a couple of relays.

[SFerinTEXAS]

I believe a much simpler way would work. Was a common way on big rigs to make the bumper marker poles flash. Explained well as a crossfeed connection. Should work..

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...rkerflash.html