LED Lights - TOPCAT, Help!!!

[graybird78]

for any and all - TOPCAT, if you would please - i purchased LED lights for my 80 sg. the lights that i purchased were the replacement bulbs. i put 2 in tail light. have 2 red marker lights that were also replaced. and rear turn signals. don't have any problems per say, as to the function of the lights. my question is what did the old bulbs use for power verses my LED's. i replaced (2) 1157 bulbs, (4) 1156 bulbs. everything works fine. have been unable to find any lights for fairing tho. going to try to find another set of lights and modify them for LEDs. what are the capabilities of the xs 11 charging system? what can i realistically save by replacing real bulbs with LED's? my bike looks like a x-mas tree at night any and help would be appreciated...

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Greybird,

You'll be pleasantly surprised, the tail running lights(1157 running lights) were only 8watts, that's .66amps ea. The turn signals were 27watts(1156), that's 2.25amps, EACH, times 2 for turns, that's 4.5amps, then the brake lights(1157 brake filament) are also 27watts times 2 if you have the dual light tail, another 4.5 amps if you have the brakes on while turning.

That's why I replaced both the turn signals and the tail lights, total draw with my dual array tail lights with brakes on is around 0.6amps since I have 2 sets of brake lights.!

To calculate amps, take watts and divide by volts. HTH.
T.C.

[graybird78]

thanks for reply. as you suspect my taillight is a dual bulb unit. i need to conserve on lights .I still have 4 runnining lights to switch over. plus i have a stereo and driving lights . again thanks for reply.




graybird
80sg

[Pat Kelly]

I previously had 2 1157 LED bulbs in the tail light of my XS. Worked ok but not as bright as I'd hoped.
Recently bought a LED tail/brake light unit ($75) from a trailer supply place. This thing is BRIGHT!!!! Thirty six LED's arranged in 6 rows of 5 and 3 on each end. The center 3 are always bright (brake mode).
I cut the outter red lens/cover off, trimmed the XS plastic from the unit. Cut out the back of the tail light housing where the 1157's mounted leaving an oval opening. Hot glued the unit in place then drilled 4 holes, 2 top and 2 bottom and secured the unit to the housing with 2 zip ties. I finished sealing the back with hot glue.
Tail/brake still looks stock but is now much brighter and uses negligible voltage and has that LED "instant on" brake light.

[graybird78]

led lights

thanks for reply p.k. i'm trying to keep all my lights stock with NO MODS.tail lights are hard to come bye here. if i had a extra taillight assy i would do what you and topcat did. my 3" rear lights are plenty bright w/led bulbs.taillight could be brighter. am working on that issue. my biggest problem is my fairing lights. i am looking at some extra light assy on ebay to do led conversion to. have 2 truck stops by my house so plenty of choices.