LED replacement bulbs

[ddragon63]

has anyone replaced their 1157's with the LED bulbs? If so some feed back. obviously if they're true LED they will use a fraction of the power of the standard 1157 bulbs. But has anyone put them thru the test? lil leery about the Chinese ones you can get off Flea bay for $1.04 a pair free shipping.

[Azoroth]

You would most likely have to change out the flasher unit. You would have to switch it to an electronic flasher to counter the lower wattage. Problem with this is that you will loose the auto cancel option.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Don,

In the FORUM tech tips...not necessarily the drop down menu tips, under the MODS, ELECTRICAL, you'll find a few about LED bulbs for turn signals and also for tail lights. They are a few years old, but there's a LINK to the site that carries the very bright LEDS in bulbs and other styles that can be used in the tail lights...don't just look in the car/auto section, but also in the truck, and even boat/misc.

Some folks have used a prebuilt BULB with a cluster of LEDS on the end of the socket, but have reported that they don't look as bright as the OEM bulb.

There are other styles of LED arrays available, like a detached grid array of LEDS connected to an 1157 socket so you can position the array in the tail light pointing straight back no matter which direction the actual socket is pointing! They also have newer designs with LEDS mounted around the sides of the bulb/socket as well as the ends, so you get light sideways to provide better side visibility as well as posterior! YMMV!

Amazing what you can find in the tech tips!!

T.C.

[ddragon63]

You would most likely have to change out the flasher unit. You would have to switch it to an electronic flasher to counter the lower wattage. Problem with this is that you will loose the auto cancel option.

I never though about the flasher thing... I know when I upgraded the signals on my R1 that they came with a diode to slow the blinker down if desired.
Not too concerned about auto cancel.

Hey Don,

In the FORUM tech tips...not necessarily the drop down menu tips, under the MODS, ELECTRICAL, you'll find a few about LED bulbs for turn signals and also for tail lights. They are a few years old, but there's a LINK to the site that carries the very bright LEDS in bulbs and other styles that can be used in the tail lights...don't just look in the car/auto section, but also in the truck, and even boat/misc.

Some folks have used a prebuilt BULB with a cluster of LEDS on the end of the socket, but have reported that they don't look as bright as the OEM bulb.

There are other styles of LED arrays available, like a detached grid array of LEDS connected to an 1157 socket so you can position the array in the tail light pointing straight back no matter which direction the actual socket is pointing! They also have newer designs with LEDS mounted around the sides of the bulb/socket as well as the ends, so you get light sideways to provide better side visibility as well as posterior! YMMV!

Amazing what you can find in the tech tips!!

T.C.

Yes T.C. I should have checked the tech tips before I posted a thread

Thanks for the heads up. I've bought the chepo led grid style before for a bike... not impressed. When the instructions call for a hot glue gun to hold the grid into the socket I just say no. Was just wondering if anyones tryed the bulb style ones. sounds like the search continues

[natemoen]

I never though about the flasher thing... I know when I upgraded the signals on my R1 that they came with a diode to slow the blinker down if desired.

That diode is actually a load equalizer that actually ups the effective current draw to make your flasher see the same larger load of incandescent bulbs. If you are looking for lower current draw this is not the way to go cause it does not lower the actual draw any.

[CatatonicBug]

If you're looking for a US seller for the LED's, SuperBrightLEDs.com is located about 15 minutes from where I sit right now. I've been to their facility, and they are very good to work with. Lots of cool toys too!

[ddragon63]

That diode is actually a load equalizer that actually ups the effective current draw to make your flasher see the same larger load of incandescent bulbs. If you are looking for lower current draw this is not the way to go cause it does not lower the actual draw any.

Thanks for the heads up.

If you're looking for a US seller for the LED's, SuperBrightLEDs.com is located about 15 minutes from where I sit right now. I've been to their facility, and they are very good to work with. Lots of cool toys too!

Hmmm I'll have to look into these. and power saving is a bonus, with all the draw I have on this bike.

[Azoroth]

I bought the dash lights for my gauges from superbrightled. There are decent price and worked great. I did have to return one that was defective. But that happens. I kinda woah that I could get the fuel and headlight warning lights to work with led. I would have to get a load equalizer wich kind of defeats the purpose.

[fredintoon]

Hi Don,
I'm sure the low load on the flasher thing can be fixed with the right flasher unit so long as you are prepared to give up on the self-cancelling feature.
What would concern me is that I read that the LED powered 1157 lamps are directional, they shoot the light straight back; while (on my bike at least) the dual 1157s go in sideways.

[Azoroth]

Hi Don,
What would concern me is that I read that the LED powered 1157 lamps are directional, they shoot the light straight back; while (on my bike at least) the dual 1157s go in sideways.

superbrightleds.com has 1157 bulbs that are 90 degree angle.

[ddragon63]

superbrightleds.com has 1157 bulbs that are 90 degree angle.

+1 I seen that when cruising they're website this morning.

[cywelchjr]

Hi Don,
I'm sure the low load on the flasher thing can be fixed with the right flasher unit so long as you are prepared to give up on the self-cancelling feature.
What would concern me is that I read that the LED powered 1157 lamps are directional, they shoot the light straight back; while (on my bike at least) the dual 1157s go in sideways.

It can and if you find my thread on the auto cancel flasher mod, you can use a two prong flasher that will work with the LED's AND have auto cancel as well. You can also contact ELDR who has a plug in flasher unit that works ONLY with LEDs and auto cancels, but won't work with regular bulbs as it can't handle the load of regular bulbs. I've been waiting for the mods to have time to turn my thread into a tech tip but I know they have their hands full just keeping up with the day to day stuff plus life so I'm not complaining.