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[Chief]

What's up with the turn signal converter? (69462-06A)

The running lights in the turn signals are way too bright. It's a very common complaint and I know it's been discussed here before, but I'm sure someone here is good enough with electronics to find a way to dim the running light function, without dimming the turn signal function.

Is there an easy solution?

[BigMike]

Have you seen this site?  They aren't cheap but if you really want someone to know you're stopping, they're probably worth it.  I know my laydown taillight from JP Cycles sucks.  This guy can also customize the light if needed.  I'd need him to relocate the license light to the bottom.

http://www.heavycycles.com/

[nidan]

Theorhetically you could put an inline resistor in the circuit and it would dim the output, not sure what other effect it may have , or an appropriate value.

[Rhino]

Hey Chief, is that really a bad thing? Lighting is good.  The circuit only gets 12 V, so could be the stock lamps are not the right ones?  Try a diff manufacturer before tearing into it. JMHO
Rhino

What's up with the turn signal converter? (69462-06A)

The running lights in the turn signals are way too bright. It's a very common complaint and I know it's been discussed here before, but I'm sure someone here is good enough with electronics to find a way to dim the running light function, without dimming the turn signal function.

Is there an easy solution?

[Chief]

I had forgotten I started this thread a couple of months ago, but I finally removed the HD 69462-06A - Auxiliary Running Light / Brake Light / Turn Signal Conversion Kit - Bullet Lens because I got tired of people behind me complaining that it looked like I was always on the brakes.

The problem is that the running light function is so bright, there is very little difference when the brakes are applied. I know there is another thread on the site discussing this very same problem, but Ican't find it.

While I agree with Rhino in the above post that more light is a good thing, more important than just more light is being able to easily tell when the brakes are applied. This is a problem that the Custom Dynamics LED strip won't fix because I use the TP only for trips. I need a solution for when I'm riding without the TP.

When I removed the HD unit, I cut it open to find a small PCB with a lot more components than I expected to find. There is even a small logic chip that I didn't expect to see.

I'm not an electronics guy, but I do know V = I x R and all I want to do is drop the power of the running lights to 5 or 6 watts so they won't glow so dang bright. Adding extra resistance to the wire going to the turn signals would also reduce the brighness of the turn signals, which I don't want to do. All I want to do is dim the running function.

Do we have any circuits guys on the site that would be interested in looking at the insides of this module and maybe come up with a retrofit?

If this isn't possible, are there other modules available that work better than the HD unit? I've heard horror stories about the Biketronics unit burning out a lot, so I'm scared to buy that one.

One last option is to convert the single filament rear units to dual filament units, like the fronts, and move to LEDs so I can use an inline resistor to knock the power down to the run circuit.

Does anyone have a different approach?

[Hoist!]

I had forgotten I started this thread a couple of months ago, but I finally removed the HD 69462-06A - Auxiliary Running Light / Brake Light / Turn Signal Conversion Kit - Bullet Lens because I got tired of people behind me complaining that it looked like I was always on the brakes.

The problem is that the running light function is so bright, there is very little difference when the brakes are applied. I know there is another thread on the site discussing this very same problem, but Ican't find it.

While I agree with Rhino in the above post that more light is a good thing, more important than just more light is being able to easily tell when the brakes are applied. This is a problem that the Custom Dynamics LED strip won't fix because I use the TP only for trips. I need a solution for when I'm riding without the TP.

When I removed the HD unit, I cut it open to find a small PCB with a lot more components than I expected to find. There is even a small logic chip that I didn't expect to see.

I'm not an electronics guy, but I do know V = I x R and all I want to do is drop the power of the running lights to 5 or 6 watts so they won't glow so dang bright. Adding extra resistance to the wire going to the turn signals would also reduce the brighness of the turn signals, which I don't want to do. All I want to do is dim the running function.

Do we have any circuits guys on the site that would be interested in looking at the insides of this module and maybe come up with a retrofit?

If this isn't possible, are there other modules available that work better than the HD unit? I've heard horror stories about the Biketronics unit burning out a lot, so I'm scared to buy that one.

One last option is to convert the single filament rear units to dual filament units, like the fronts, and move to LEDs so I can use an inline resistor to knock the power down to the run circuit.

Does anyone have a different approach?

You can put it back to the TS function only, and get a set of saddlebag lid spoilers for the extra brake/running light functionality.

Hoist!

[Chief]

You can put it back to the TS function only, and get a set of saddlebag lid spoilers for the extra brake/running light functionality.

Hoist!

That's where I am right now, but it still pisses me off that HD can't get a simple circuit to work better than they do. I'm taking your approach, fix it the way it should be. 

[RJ749]

Chief, if you haven't tried LED replacements I would give them a shot.

I think you would find that the increase in light would solve the concern you have.

If you get the red ones combines with the red lens you should have good running intensity with very bright brake intensity.

They work great on my SEUC, I've not had anyone complain about them being to bright when not braking.

Here's a supplier $4.95 each.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/tail-brake-turn.html

[Chief]

Chief, if you haven't tried LED replacements I would give them a shot.

I think you would find that the increase in light would solve the concern you have.

If you get the red ones combines with the red lens you should have good running intensity with very bright brake intensity.

They work great on my SEUC, I've not had anyone complain about them being to bright when not braking.

Here's a supplier $4.95 each.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/tail-brake-turn.html

Roger,

Thanks. Do these need an equalizer, or do they handle that internally?

[RJ749]

Roger,

Thanks. Do these need an equalizer, or do they handle that internally?

From their site, straight drop in:

All of our LED bulbs feature
Drop in Replacement
Low Power (wattage) draw
Built-in current limiting resistors
Shock & Vibration Resistant
Long Life (10,000+ hours)
 Low Heat Generation
High Intensity (for LEDs)
Instant ON/OFF
Monochromatic (pure) Color
 


iski has a good set of pics of his LED project in the LED lighting thread, here's his post on and off the brake.  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=3916.msg194407;topicseen#msg194407

[Twolanerider]

From their site, straight drop in:

All of our LED bulbs feature
Drop in Replacement
Low Power (wattage) draw
Built-in current limiting resistors
Shock & Vibration Resistant
Long Life (10,000+ hours)
 Low Heat Generation
High Intensity (for LEDs)
Instant ON/OFF
Monochromatic (pure) Color
 


iski has a good set of pics of his LED project in the LED lighting thread, here's his post on and off the brake.  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=3916.msg194407;topicseen#msg194407

Don't let Chip see that ^   

[iski]

From their site, straight drop in:

All of our LED bulbs feature
Drop in Replacement
Low Power (wattage) draw
Built-in current limiting resistors
Shock & Vibration Resistant
Long Life (10,000+ hours)
 Low Heat Generation
High Intensity (for LEDs)
Instant ON/OFF
Monochromatic (pure) Color
 


iski has a good set of pics of his LED project in the LED lighting thread, here's his post on and off the brake.  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=3916.msg194407;topicseen#msg194407

Chief,

I bought the red LED bulbs from Miller's in Daytona & after I saw Rog's post I put the LEDs back in.  I had replaced them with regular bulbs, but decided the LEDs were better from the brake light/running light brightness.

No idea who made them or if they are "monochromatic (pure) color".  I may order a set of those for "comparison purposes" unless the $750 Zumo fund limit kicks in. 

[hd-dude]

Chief;
I have the same unit and am replacing it with the 4859 Kit from KuryAkyn. It works well and the signals are not as bright with it. It will also flash the brakes when applied for a few seconds (user selectable).

[mattm]

These modules work by modulating the voltage delivered to the lamp.  I.e. in run mode the lamps get 12v, at say a 50% duty cycle, so the lamp will appear dimmer.  In Brake mode the duty cycle will be 100%.  To fix the HD module, you would have to reduce the dim mode duty cycle, probaly not an easy mod.  Take a look at the Badlands Illuminator module.  It performs the same function as the HD module (only better) and also has a load equalized so you can run LEDs.  It also just plugs right into the rear harness.

http://www.badlandsmotorcycleproducts.com/2008/Products/BETCSM.htm

[Chief]

Chief;
I have the same unit and am replacing it with the 4859 Kit from KuryAkyn. It works well and the signals are not as bright with it. It will also flash the brakes when applied for a few seconds (user selectable).

Thanks Jim, I'll look into the Kury module.