LEDs for idiot lights ~ what could possibly go wrong?

[Ogmios]

Having sorted my charging issues , i'm thinking of taking out as many bulbs from clocks and idiot/dash lights as possible and replacing them with LEDs.
What can go wrong? (i.e; how can i possibly fuck this up? )
(it's a Cali 3)
Ta in advance.
~~
Og the electrophobe.

 

[ianboydsnr]

Having sorted my charging issues , i'm thinking of taking out as many bulbs from clocks and idiot/dash lights as possible and replacing them with LEDs.
What can go wrong? (i.e; how can i possibly fuck this up? )
(it's a Cali 3)
Ta in advance.
~~
Og the electrophobe.

the charge light, needs the resistance of a bulb or resistor, for the charging to work!

 

[Ogmios]

the charge light, needs the resistance of a bulb or resistor, for the charging to work!

Doh!
Ah. Yes. That's obvious (he said, having totally forgotten the previous charging problem ).
Thanks Ian.

As for general dash lights - clocks, indicator / hi-lo tell-tale, etc - should be o.k. ... yes?

 

[cookie]

why??

sounds like work for no gain to me.

 

[Ogmios]

why??

sounds like work for no gain to me.

'Work'? - it's only a bulb to fit.
Main reason is i've always had trouble seeing the indicator 'tell tales' and cant see them at all in bright sun.
Also, the rev counter light is dim. My commute is only about 3 miles each way, i want to save as much power as poss for the headlight.
I know i'll gain very little in the grand scheme of things.

 

[cookie]

'Work'? - it's only a bulb to fit.

is it?

sourcing replacements to fit the original holes.

maybe need dropper resistor?

changing the connection crimps.

probably more things, but it's beginning to seem like work to think of them

power saving will be miniscule. if the battery's not getting charged then the charging system needs sorting.

 

[Ogmios]

is it?

sourcing replacements to fit the original holes.
~ nope. a very good motor factor with a broad stock is taking care of that.

maybe need dropper resistor?
~ ah, hang on now! - no one said it would get techernical!

changing the connection crimps.
~ nope. My motor factor friend ... see above

probably more things, but it's beginning to seem like work to think of them
~ you've pissed right on my chips you have. - but you are right. Damn it!

power saving will be miniscule. if the battery's not getting charged then the charging system needs sorting.
~ i accept i aint going to save much. The charging is fine now - just simply not enough for a 3 mile winter commute.
(admittedly, 80/100w headlight and small car battery (30ah?) in place of standard dont help.)

Lookit - if for e.g. i replace the bulb in the indicator tell tale with an LED, and it blinks at the (more or less) correct rate - issat it?
i.e; functioning and safe. Safe as in, not causing some obscure damage and wont flatten battery.

~~
Og lectrics-not-my-strong-point mios

 

[cookie]

Lookit - if for e.g. i replace the bulb in the indicator tell tale with an LED, and it blinks at the (more or less) correct rate - issat it?
i.e; functioning and safe. Safe as in, not causing some obscure damage and wont flatten battery.

~~
Og lectrics-not-my-strong-point mios

IIRC LEDs are 1.4v? if connected to 12v they need a dropper resistor. if you're getting them from a motor factor, they will probably have an inbuilt resistor and will be fine.

using a big car battery is an advantage, and will not make the charging weaker.

carry on. you know what you want, it's just not what i'd do (which would be to dump the 80/100w headlight).

 

[Mr K]

Thinking outside the box....

H4 LED

 

[Fanum]

IIRC LEDs are 1.4v? if connected to 12v they need a dropper resistor. if you're getting them from a motor factor, they will probably have an inbuilt resistor and will be fine.

using a big car battery is an advantage, and will not make the charging weaker.

carry on. you know what you want, it's just not what i'd do (which would be to dump the 80/100w headlight).

There are 'like for like' LED bulbs for practically every standard filament type bulb....no crimping, no resistance adjustments needed on a non-canbus system.....they simply fit into exactly the same socket as the filament bulb but are much brighter, last longer and are far more efficient that the old filament tech bulbs.

They are more expensive though, and the biggest drawback I can see is that the light from an LED bulb is different in output pattern from a filament.
On idiot lamps though, it shouldn't make much difference, if any.

They light they produce can look 'out of place' though, so if originality is part of the design concept on Marc's bike (I can hear him laughing hysterically at the very idea that there is such a thing as 'design concept' on his Cali )) then they may not be a good call.

 

[cookie]

clearly, i'm out of touch.

 

[ianboydsnr]

There are 'like for like' LED bulbs for practically every standard filament type bulb....no crimping, no resistance adjustments needed on a non-canbus system.....they simply fit into exactly the same socket as the filament bulb but are much brighter, last longer and are far more efficient that the old filament tech bulbs.

They are more expensive though, and the biggest drawback I can see is that the light from an LED bulb is different in output pattern from a filament.
On idiot lamps though, it shouldn't make much difference, if any.

They light they produce can look 'out of place' though, so if originality is part of the design concept on Marc's bike (I can hear him laughing hysterically at the very idea that there is such a thing as 'design concept' on his Cali )) then they may not be a good call.

I tried that with my Lemans2, but they wouldn't work, the bulbs can only go in one way, and the Led bulbs were wired the wrong way, not an issue with normal bulbs,
Of course that could have been the bulbs, and a bit of jiggery pokers with the wiring may work, and the Cali might be completely different, but on mine it certainly wasn't unplug old bulb, plug in new bulb!

I do plan on Led ing my convert, because they are unreadable in anything brighter than a dull day!

 

[Ogmios]

There are 'like for like' LED bulbs for practically every standard filament type bulb....no crimping, no resistance adjustments needed on a non-canbus system.....they simply fit into exactly the same socket as the filament bulb but are much brighter, last longer and are far more efficient that the old filament tech bulbs.
~ Cheers Bil! Phew!
thank F**** for that! - and it's what (i hope! ) my motor factor man is supplying. It is certainly his intention, as there is a market for exactly that; 'plug and play' straight swops - LED for old style.

They are more expensive though, and the biggest drawback I can see is that the light from an LED bulb is different in output pattern from a filament.
On idiot lamps though, it shouldn't make much difference, if any.
~ Expense (c'mon - i'm almost related to Civil - so you KNOW my budget is 'price sensitive' ) is not an issue.
e.g; he can supply a pair of DRL LEDs in small casings for €11. - 'bulbs' from €3 up and he is building up a wide range for many applications.
Agree that idiot light output is not an issue either. I'd be happy to just SEE the feckers blinking at me.

They light they produce can look 'out of place' though, so if originality is part of the design concept on Marc's bike (I can hear him laughing hysterically at the very idea that there is such a thing as 'design concept' on his Cali )) then they may not be a good call.

~ Yes - that made me grin! Between the Toyota Hiace van headlamp, with the back of a plastic chair holding it in, the VW beetle HT coils, the Vespa Clutch cable ... - 'standard' or 'design' dont come into it. I've a grand engine, gearbox and a basically VERY reliable Bike that i love to bits. But style? - no!

clearly, i'm out of touch.

~ ah yer grand mate! - i've always appreciated your help - past present and i'm sure, future.

I tried that with my Lemans2, but they wouldn't work, the bulbs can only go in one way, and the Led bulbs were wired the wrong way, not an issue with normal bulbs,
Of course that could have been the bulbs, and a bit of jiggery pokers with the wiring may work, and the Cali might be completely different, but on mine it certainly wasn't unplug old bulb, plug in new bulb!

I do plan on Led ing my convert, because they are unreadable in anything brighter than a dull day!

~ LEDs must have improved as i'd be almost certain there's little difference between your Leman and my (1990) Cali.
Many of my lights are, like yours invisible in daylight.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

................

power saving will be miniscule. if the battery's not getting charged then the charging system needs sorting.

Sort of my thinking too.

How about fitting an uprated regulator thingie (police?), they were all the rage back in the day - although there would still be no point fitting it if there charging system is not sorted.

Andres

 

[steophilis]

http://www.eurocarbatteries.co.uk/i...factory-agm-ctmx14-bs-motorcycle-battery.html

marc, i have one of these going free if it'd fit in the motoguzzi, the sizes are there. might give you a bit more power.it's very slightly underpowered for the gsa so i just replaced it last week.

 

[Ogmios]

Sort of my thinking too.

How about fitting an uprated regulator thingie (police?), they were all the rage back in the day - although there would still be no point fitting it if there charging system is not sorted.

Andres

Dear sir,
1./ uprated reg = much €€€. Me being 'price sensitive' therefore, no sale. Also - i honestly dont think it's needed.
2./ charging system is feckin sorted!!!
(why does everyone doubt me on this? )
*cough* ... moving swiftly on

http://www.eurocarbatteries.co.uk/i...factory-agm-ctmx14-bs-motorcycle-battery.html

marc, i have one of these going free if it'd fit in the motoguzzi, the sizes are there. might give you a bit more power.it's very slightly underpowered for the gsa so i just replaced it last week.

Very kind of you!
i suspect it would be too small for mine - but i'll have a better look at the specs later.
Thank You

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

So, if the charging system is 'sorted' what's the problem?

The older Guzzi charging is fine in normal use and only marginal at low revs (ie lots of town riding with lights on). The 'police' spec regs start charging at lower revs and IIRC are dead cheap to buy.................I might even know somebody who has a spare one

LINKY to useful info.

Andres

 

[Ogmios]

Andres

if the charging system is 'sorted' what's the problem?

The good - it has a new reg/rec and good s/hand rotor.
Sure, i'd love the 'police' spec one on principle and for reassurance - i cant justify the cost

The bad - as i only commute <3 miles each way, it is ONLY when using it for this that after about 8/10 days the starter power is marginal.
I am in no condition to bump start the fecker. i have done it /can do it - but i really dont want to have to.

The Bike has 25 year old Italian wiring - i've found a few duff earths / sheite connections - am sure there's more (that i know i have to get around to sorting, but not got the time, will nor perserverance right now ).
So that aint helping. BUT it has NEVER given trouble apart from when using it to commute.

Good link Andres, thank you - i'll show it to Mrs Og near my next burfday. .

steophilis,
Thank you - that battery would be as marginal for me as it is for you. But, Thank You again - very kind.

Update;
got 2 LEDs just to try as indicator dash lights. Just 'plug and play' . Very much brighter in day / not blinding at night / blink rate the same.
Way better than the dim glimmer so easy to NOT notice with the old.
Happy Og.
Will leave these in for a while and see if they last.
Next will be the backlights for the clocks.
Second last will be the low/high, the oil light, neutral light tell tales.

For anyone local
Mitchells Motor Factors,
Capel St.
Dublin 1.
The chap there is most helpful, patient and is using me and the Guzzi as a tester - he is as keen as me to see if this is a goer.
So he's not charged me for the 2 bulbs til we agree they're good /durable enough. (Only €1 each anyhow! )

Next post - pics of the range and the DRL set up i want to replace the strip of LEDs i use now.
Sorry this took so long to reply - between work (bad) and hospital appointments (good - coz i call into Mitchells on the way back! ) i been busy!

 

[Ogmios]

1st pic - LED DRLs €10 for a pair. They are quite effective!
2nd and 3rd pics - just to give some idea of the range.