Turn signals as running lights

Hi, I have seen mention of this in passing before.
I want to modify my turn signals to be running lights as well. I know I need to change sockets.
3 questions, 1 - will this overload the alternator? 2 - Is there a way you can give me a step by step basic how to for this. and 3 - eventually I want to change over to the 1157 leds. Should this then be a direct change over, with the electronic flasher change out?
Thanks for all the great help
Dave

 

1. No, but it will drag things down a bit

2. I doubt it, but you might search the FAQ and mod sections to see if someone's posted one. Most I can tell you is that you'll probably want to tap off from the Y/R wire that feeds the headlight switch for power for the "running" filaments of your modified sockets.

3. Depends what you mean by "the electronic flasher change out". You will have to swap a 2-pin electronic flasher for the stock 3-pin mechanical. You'll also lose the auto-cancel functionality unless you do the additional work detailed in a couple of the FAQ Suggestion area write-ups.

Of course, if you go to 1157 LED's, the extra draw on the alternator will be basically zero.

Cheers,
Paul

 

The head light would be OK for the front, but can I tap off of the tail light for the rear lights?

 

On my bike For the rear I got some 12v ready LED pod lights (RED) and put them on the sissy bar. see picture . I tapped into the brake lights wires for the upper lights and tapped into the running light for the 2 added running lights mounted on the sides of the seat.

I have noticed people behind me stay back more after installing them, but then you always get the idiot who is on the cell phone yapping away and not paying attention to their driving.

 

I'd added an extra tail/running light on the sissy bar of mine so I know for sure the existing tail light wiring will run at least another 1157 bulb.

You can get fancy and use a relay but if it were me I'd hook them up and see if the fuse blows. I suspect you'll be just fine.

 

Well, I went ahead and changed out the back turn signal sockets and rewired for the 1157's Everything is working fine. I am going to wait a while before I do the front sockets. I want to make sure all the wiring is OK with no shorts or grounds. Can't wait to ride a bit this evening to check it out.

 

Turn signals as running lights a couple more questions

Three more questions please?
1: If I only change out the rear sockets to the 1157's and then only change the rears to the led 1157's do I still need to change out the flasher? (will I get the lower electricity draw from the led's?)
2: Has anyone ever seen and led 1157 that is the yellow for the running light and red for the brighter turn signal?
3: If number 2 is a yes, where at, and can I get clear lens covers for my signals?
Thanks
Dave

 

1: Most likely. I installed aftermarket (K & S) turn signals and they wouldn't flash- they had BULBS in them, but only 18W. I swapped out one bulb on each side with an original and the flasher started working. It apparently needs quite a bit of current draw to flash.

3: I believe K & S makes clear lenses for most of the Yamaha-pattern signals; they should interchange. See if Len can special-order you some, pending the answer to 2.

If it were me I'd just use bulbs.

 

I wonder if a 6v flasher would work with the led lites. Hard to believe they can make the same candle power with less than half the current. No idea what the actual current draw of an led lite is. Must be a lamda difference in them. Any science guys thought about this? (sorry..semi hijacked your thread)

 

That is OK. I am just trying for 2 things. Better visibility and much lower current drain on the alternator. Any other info is appreciated.

 

Hey Fitz,
Does K&S make clear brake lenses for our bikes? Just curious.

 

Yes they do...

http://www.cyclewareables.com/pages/tur ... aha_ks.htm

 

Yes you can convert to red turn signals on the back of your bike with the addition of a trailer light converter to get them to come on with the brake light and also have the turn signal function work properly.
I have Harley red turn signals on mine with a converter ($21) that works very well. Mine only come on (bright) when the brakes are applied or when I use the turn signals, but you can add the dual filement lights, so the running lights stay on while riding also. It will not overload the electrical curcuit, but of course LEDs will take less power, so it's up to you which ones to use.
With LEDs, you will need an electronic flasher for them to operate right, but those canbe found at any auto store pretty cheap. Mine is the two pin design, but you'll need to find which one you have on your bike (two or three pin type)

Here's mine before I changed the tailight to an even brighter LED and different signal lights, which are even brighter now, but I don't have a photo of the new ones just yet.