Black and white and some red all over

[Cajun]

bang a bigger fuse in and if that blows then worry about it

all i normally do

[xwhatsit]

Ah well that's the thing, isn't it -- LEDs being semiconductors, if you make a small change in voltage, you get a massive change in current (logarithmic relationship).

Voltage is not stable on a motorcycle -- they say 6 volts or 12 volts, but at high revs you might be getting quite a few volts over those figures. So if the voltage is going up a couple of volts when riding (while you're testing at idle), the LEDs start to draw much more current until it pops your fuse.

I suppose a voltage regulator would be the best thing to do. Since the load is fairly low, could you not get away with one of those little 10c 3-pin linear regs?

[The Lone Rider]

What are the LED's rated at - i think you will find they will be say 2V @ 100mA each.
If they are all in series you shouldn't have a problem, in parallel you will need lots current.
Do they each have their own resistance? or is it a net of resistors.
Where is your ground going?
I would be highly supprised that 1 or 2 of these things are drawing more than 6 watts, or pulling more than 0.5A.
I would hate to see you bbq LED's by trying to double the current through them

These are automotive LED strips, they are rated for 12v.. not sure of the amps.


Yes.. I baked a cake.

No, you can't have any. It's for the birthday bash. Once I get to it, I'll be putting icing lettering and maybe our logo on it.

I also make good lasange..
And my last gf said I was the best shes ever had. Not so sure the other gfs share the same opinion. Never asked lol.

Cake baking bikers tag = real funny

Back to LEDs....

[avgas]

sweet as - check the wattage - if its over 6 watts just go for the 1A fuse, they should have all the resistance they require not to bake

[The Lone Rider]

Put a 1amp fuse in. Going fine and didnt smell any melted wiring when I got home lol.

[howdamnhard]

Sorry I didn't know it was your LED light circuit fuse that was the problem.Like the guys previously said at higher revs the voltage reg will let higher voltage go through to charge the battery (up to a point) which will allow the leds to draw more current which will blow your fuse.A 1A fuse should be okay but it would pay to check your total current draw at higher revs and insure your wiring is up to it.

[The Lone Rider]

Sorry I didn't know it was your LED light circuit fuse that was the problem.Like the guys previously said at higher revs the voltage reg will let higher voltage go through to charge the battery (up to a point) which will allow the leds to draw more current which will blow your fuse.A 1A fuse should be okay but it would pay to check your total current draw at higher revs and insure your wiring is up to it.

Find me a way to ride it while checking a multi meter.. and maybe it's worth a shot

After all.. the fuse and switch and majority of the wiring is under the seat...

[howdamnhard]

Find me a way to ride it while checking a multi meter.. and maybe it's worth a shot

After all.. the fuse and switch and majority of the wiring is under the seat...

You don't have to ride it to rev it.The voltage is determined by the engine revs up to a point when the regulator kicks in to limit it.

[The Lone Rider]

You don't have to ride it to rev it.The voltage is determined by the engine revs up to a point when the regulator kicks in to limit it.

No seemed to me putting it in gear and adding throttle was what blew it.. not leaving it in neutral and adding the throttle.

Seems I having problems with the battery going flat now...

dang it.

Bike was flat for going to the CKMC birthday bash so had to take car.

Then went to pub to celebrate my birthday tonight, and bloody thing was flat when I went to go home. Good thing no girls were watching.

[vindy500]

bike + center stand, put it in gear and test

[howdamnhard]

No seemed to me putting it in gear and adding throttle was what blew it.. not leaving it in neutral and adding the throttle.

Seems I having problems with the battery going flat now...

dang it.

Bike was flat for going to the CKMC birthday bash so had to take car.

Then went to pub to celebrate my birthday tonight, and bloody thing was flat when I went to go home. Good thing no girls were watching.

Firstly HAPPY BIRTHDAY.Lucky you didn't have to push your bike home,I did once when bike died halfway home with blown rectifier/regulator.Sounds like those LEDs are more trouble than they are worth.Charge up your battery,restore your original lights and see how you go.Battery shouldn't be going flat unless a circuit is forming somewhere draining it.How did you wire up your lights again?

[vindy500]

what are the legalities of red leds?

[The Lone Rider]

I DID have to push it home.. just there was no ladies who saw me this time lol.

Look back a few posts, explains how I wired it. Could draw out diagram tommorrow maybe... after nursing a hang over I imagine.

I seem to be surprisingly coherant for someone who started drinking around 3pm yesterday, went to bed, and started again at noon today lol.

[howdamnhard]

I DID have to push it home.. just there was no ladies who saw me this time lol.

Look back a few posts, explains how I wired it. Could draw out diagram tommorrow maybe... after nursing a hang over I imagine.

I seem to be surprisingly coherant for someone who started drinking around 3pm yesterday, went to bed, and started again at noon today lol.

Bummer,bike sure gets heavy and funny how you never before realised those slight up gradients.Yeh I looked back,should all be OK,but obviously it's not.Get the multimeter out and check where it's shorting.Is the LED switch definitely off when selected off,have you disturbed any other wires resulting in a short ,etc.Good luck.

[xwhatsit]

Why didn't you just bump-start it lol? Flat battery doesn't preclude bump-starting on 90% of bikes around. 6V Super Cub is a different story though...