Can I hook up LEDs to the indicators?

[Oakie]

Problem: I'm forever forgetting to turn my indicators off. I can't see the indicator light on the console flashing at me as the bottom part of my helmet obscures it when I'm looking forward normally.
Possible answer: To wire up small LEDs off the indicators and place them beside the fairing screen somewhere so I can see them flashing at me when I'm in normal riding posture.

>Is this a practical solution?
>How would I go about wiring this up? (I'm not confident with electrickery and circuits .... it's been a long time since 6th form physics)
>Are there any pitfalls?

I've thought about getting a wee beeper or something wired to the indicator circuit but that would just be annoying after a short time ... and embarassing probably pretty much immediately.

[placidfemme]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=13870

Have a look at that

[Waylander]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=13870

Have a look at that
He means ones that point at him that will remind him to turn them off. Those would be bright enough that you would notice if they are still on though.

[Oakie]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=13870

Have a look at that

Thanks ... but all I want is one small LED to supplement the warning light under the speedo, not the whole indicator to be changed. A bit like those single LEDs the boy racers seem to like attaching to the the windscreens or bonnets of their cars (typically blue for whatever reason)

[Oakie]

He means ones that point at him that will remind him to turn them off. Those would be bright enough that you would notice if they are still on though.

Exactly .

[Waylander]

Thanks ... but all I want is one small LED to supplement the warning light under the speedo, not the whole indicator to be changed. A bit like those single LEDs the boy racers seem to like attaching to the the windscreens or bonnets of their cars (typically blue for whatever reason)
Could think about getting a set of those. Rig them up to flash with your indicators and attach them to the top side of your fairing blade. Shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

[Jackrat]

Should be easy enough.
I'll eventualy be changing my whole indercator system to LEDs.
According to what I'm reading they draw far less power than the standard system.This is in fact why I'm changing them, as the XS system is not up to much and anything I do to lower the draw has to be good.
Cheers,have fun.

[zadok]

Not having a go at you, but can't you just remember to turn them off. We do lots of things automatically at once when riding a bike (combo of indicating, braking, changing gear, clutch, accelerator etc). I don't look at the indicator indicator (one way of putting it), I just cancel it after the turn without thinking.

[Kiwi]

Hi Oakie
not a big deal - you need only 2 LED's and 2 resistors (appositely) and connect them parallel to the indicator. ( LED and resistor in series)
Kiwi

[placidfemme]

Hi Oakie
not a big deal - you need only 2 LED's and 2 resistors (appositely) and connect them parallel to the indicator. ( LED and resistor in series)
Kiwi

Yeah you can buy LED's on TradeMe for like $1

[FEINT]

go to Jaycar or Dick Smith, they have those DIY kits. I am sure they have something already wired up for you. All you need is to tap the indicator lines with a small bulb / LED or something.

[bugjuice]

as for the location, what about sticking them on the mirrors at you? Then that might be high enough to get on your nerves, then you'll remember to switch them off.. or wire a buzzer up, instead of LEDs..

[Oakie]

Not having a go at you, but can't you just remember to turn them off. We do lots of things automatically at once when riding a bike (combo of indicating, braking, changing gear, clutch, accelerator etc). I don't look at the indicator indicator (one way of putting it), I just cancel it after the turn without thinking.

Remembering would be the best but it just doesn't happen. I'm getting old I guess and I'll use technology to make up for it. Perhaps it's just after so many years of not having a bike I've got used to the car and indicators that turn themselves off ... or keep ticking at you to remind you.

[XTC]

Just don't use your indicators then there is no problem remembering to turn them off.

[sAsLEX]

just unwire your current indicator indicator light on the dash, extend these wires to where you want the led, and put a 500 odd ohm resistor inline with a LED, think that should put roughly 30 mA through it,

[zadok]

Remembering would be the best but it just doesn't happen. I'm getting old I guess and I'll use technology to make up for it. Perhaps it's just after so many years of not having a bike I've got used to the car and indicators that turn themselves off ... or keep ticking at you to remind you.
Fair enuf. If I remember rightly, my Yamaha XZ550 had self cancelling indicators after so many seconds. I recall having to give them another flick every now and then if sat at lights for too long. Maybe that could be implemented on all bikes.

[Wolf]

Fair enuf. If I remember rightly, my Yamaha XZ550 had self cancelling indicators after so many seconds. I recall having to give them another flick every now and then if sat at lights for too long. Maybe that could be implemented on all bikes.
I think some of the more modern Beemers have a tilt sensor so that the indicator switches off when you return to an upright position - kind of like having the sensors on a cage's steering. Could be wrong.

[Ixion]

I think some of the more modern Beemers have a tilt sensor so that the indicator switches off when you return to an upright position - kind of like having the sensors on a cage's steering. Could be wrong.

Mine has self cancelling, but it's based on time and distance - so many seconds or so many metres - not counting time actually stopped, so they don't turn off when waiting at lights.

[avgas]

ive had problems with indicator development products that im currently toying with.
a) If you have anything pointed to your eyes (or someone elses), it helps to be lower then 10,000mcd - last week i shot myself in the eye with a breadboard of these and i couldnt see properly for about 30 mins.
b) Tilt sensors are good idea, but what happens if you stop at a light to turn?
c) Distance meters are a right ..... to get to work on all corners (incl roundabouts).
BMW have these pretty good - but still have seen some of these fail from time to time.

Im currently looking at using an at90s chipset and making some 'smart indicators' , but will have to sit on the backburner for a while so i can sort my other project at uni out. Damn fencing scorebox.

As for having a indicator warning........dont you have a light for that? If that doesnt work for you - use a buzzer (I think there are even some Piezo jobs that work at 12v - just hook that up with an astable oscillator and your good)

[bugjuice]

Found it. This is the answer to everyone's problem...
http://www.datatool.co.uk/productA.asp?ProductID=236

[Oakie]

Found it. This is the answer to everyone's problem...
http://www.datatool.co.uk/productA.asp?ProductID=236

Good work! I've e-mailed them about prices and availability on this side of the world.

[Groins_NZ]

Have a look at this qizzmo too...

http://www.customdynamics.com/kisan_signal_minder.htm

Cheers,
M.

[T.I.E]

would not mind some on my helmet too. little beackon. red on back blue on front and shake your head and people will get out of the way.

[Wolf]

Have a look at this qizzmo too...

http://www.customdynamics.com/kisan_signal_minder.htm

Cheers,
M.
That one looks better than the other one - adjustable timer, brake light suspends the timer and you can have adjustable running lights and hazard light functions as well.

[skidMark]

would not mind some on my helmet too. little beackon. red on back blue on front and shake your head and people will get out of the way.


ahahah nice :clap:

oakie....why don't you either a) keep your finger on it and turn it off just after you have turned or....

b) hook up some leds to the circuit it wouldnt take long at all couple of leds and resistors wire them in if you don't know how pm me and ill go through how to do it and wiring diagrams if you like?

[Silage]

Oakie I thought your idea was a good one.

So..... a coupla weeks back I went to trusty Dick Smiffs and got 4m of their thinnest single core wire, two 560 ohm resistors and two 3mm yellow LEDs for a total dosh of under a big mac ($4 summit). Procrastinated a few days then wired them up with the LEDs drilled thru the plasticedgystuff (the most techy thing youll read here) near the top on the faring blade ie as high as poss while still pointing at me. Wires ran discretely under the plasticedgystuff. Sliced a bit of insulation off the wires where they go thru the faring into the indicator stalks and soldered in the new wires (making sure they were the right way round cos as every one knows LEDs are polarised).

Outcome: They work fine but are too puny to be noticed in daylight.

Answer: Another trip to Dicky's and get two of their high intensity red 5mm LEDs ($1.30 each ish). Replaced the puny ones and these are great. The main thing to watch is that these have a narrow beam width so you need to have them pointing at your face. These I can see in the day AND now I know which indicator I have forgotten to turn off :weird: :weird: .

The GS has nice big blades so this has worked really well ie it is much closer to the normal eye line. Will try to post a photo if anyone is interested.

[Oakie]

Oakie I thought your idea was a good one.

So..... a coupla weeks back I went to trusty Dick Smiffs and got 4m of their thinnest single core wire, two 560 ohm resistors and two 3mm yellow LEDs for a total dosh of under a big mac ($4 summit). Procrastinated a few days then wired them up with the LEDs drilled thru the plasticedgystuff (the most techy thing youll read here) near the top on the faring blade ie as high as poss while still pointing at me. Wires ran discretely under the plasticedgystuff. Sliced a bit of insulation off the wires where they go thru the faring into the indicator stalks and soldered in the new wires (making sure they were the right way round cos as every one knows LEDs are polarised).

Outcome: They work fine but are too puny to be noticed in daylight.

Answer: Another trip to Dicky's and get two of their high intensity red 5mm LEDs ($1.30 each ish). Replaced the puny ones and these are great. The main thing to watch is that these have a narrow beam width so you need to have them pointing at your face. These I can see in the day AND now I know which indicator I have forgotten to turn off :weird: :weird: .

The GS has nice big blades so this has worked really well ie it is much closer to the normal eye line. Will try to post a photo if anyone is interested.

Brilliant! Thanks for the R&D on my behalf. One thing though. You said you made sure the wires were soldered the right way around because everyone knows that LED are polarised ... so which way is the right way around? And do you have to get a stronger resistor for the larger LED (thinks not but decides to ask anyway). And yeah, I'd love to see a photo

[Oakie]

would not mind some on my helmet too. little beackon. red on back blue on front and shake your head and people will get out of the way.

Or blinking red and (green?) on the ends of your handlebars and you could passable imitation of a low flying Cessna

[sAsLEX]

Brilliant! Thanks for the R&D on my behalf. One thing though. You said you made sure the wires were soldered the right way around because everyone knows that LED are polarised ... so which way is the right way around? And do you have to get a stronger resistor for the larger LED (thinks not but decides to ask anyway). And yeah, I'd love to see a photo

just ask at Dick Smiths they should show you, but the LEDs have one lead slightly longer which is the ......., well I forget

[Ixion]

Brilliant! Thanks for the R&D on my behalf. One thing though. You said you made sure the wires were soldered the right way around because everyone knows that LED are polarised ... so which way is the right way around? And do you have to get a stronger resistor for the larger LED (thinks not but decides to ask anyway). And yeah, I'd love to see a photo

Long lead is generally +ve

[Oakie]

Found it. This is the answer to everyone's problem...
http://www.datatool.co.uk/productA.asp?ProductID=236

Just got an e-mail back from these guys and the product is no longer available.
Still, I've got enough info now though to do a DIY ... as soon as I buy a wee soldering iron. Cheers all!

[Silage]

Brilliant! Thanks for the R&D on my behalf. One thing though. You said you made sure the wires were soldered the right way around because everyone knows that LED are polarised ... so which way is the right way around? And do you have to get a stronger resistor for the larger LED (thinks not but decides to ask anyway). And yeah, I'd love to see a photo

LEDs are polarised. So before soldering it onto the wires, hand-connect the LED and resistor one way and if it goes then it is the right way, if not try the other way (being careful not to short out across the leads with the legs of the LED otherwise the indicator fuse will pop). You will not damage a LED by connecting it the wrong way but will if you forget the resistor when it is the right way. Essentially a LED has really high resistance one way (the wrong way) and low the right way (thus the need for the resistor). The same (about 500 ohm) resistor should do most LEDs (there are some special types ie more $$ that I don't know about). Ask at the shop. Will get a pic.

[R6_kid]

i press the button on nearly every corner (when i turn off) to make sure...
my problem is actually my indicator not coming on but i always check to make sure its cancelled.

[Silage]

The pic is a bit blurry as it gets dark early down here (excuses excuses). I should have mounted the LEDs a little higher on the top curve of the blade so that they were pointing me in the face a bit more.

I know I could/should take more notice and cancel them every time but 100% is hard for me. This is something cheap and easy enuf to do, is pretty subtle as a mod and (Oakie) is a good idea.

btw I had the hazard lights on - that is why both indicators are on at the same time.

[Oakie]

Brilliant! Exactly what I had in mind.
Hmm. Perhaps I could patent them. 'Oakie-lights' has a nice ring to it. :rofl:

Random thought ... my bike's indicators also double as running lights (two filaments in the indicator bulbs). I wonder if that will cause problems?

[sAsLEX]

Brilliant! Exactly what I had in mind.
Hmm. Perhaps I could patent them. 'Oakie-lights' has a nice ring to it. :rofl:

Random thought ... my bike's indicators also double as running lights (two filaments in the indicator bulbs). I wonder if that will cause problems?


shouldnt just get a multi meter and find the wires that come on and off when your blinkers are on

[Oakie]

Sweet!
I'll add a wee multimeter to my Dick Smith shopping list. I've needed an excuse to get one.

[Silage]

Random thought ... my bike's indicators also double as running lights (two filaments in the indicator bulbs). I wonder if that will cause problems?

I think mine have double filaments also so it is a matter of finding which is the indicator circuit. Also, I might be right in saying that the indicator switch makes the return to earth and so there is a live lead that goes thru the bulb to the switch. Didn't seem too hard to work it out with a miltimeter when I did it.


Brilliant! Exactly what I had in mind.
Hmm. Perhaps I could patent them. 'Oakie-lights' has a nice ring to it. :rofl: ?

I have been calling them "Altzheimer beacons" but "Oakie-lights" is fine by me (so long as there are no royalties).