Ironhead LED Blinkers in rear only

Sanch · #1 28th April 2009

I've been reading posts here about replacing regular bulb blinkers with LED blinkers and there's been mention of needing a load equilizer. My bike never had blinkers and I only want to put ones on the back. Does this create a problem, do I need two load equilizers since I will only have one blinker on each side? Also, reading about all this I decided it would be a good idea to replace the headlight with an H4 halogen bulb. Do they make a conversion for this as I'd like to keep the stock headlight.

Thanks,
Sanch

Icefire · #2 28th April 2009

I have a LED taillight/brake light assembly, works fine with no equalizer, and Ive been running a PIAA H4 headlight bulb for years without any mods....I think you only need to equalize the load if you want something to blink...

goldsport · #3 29th April 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanch

I've been reading posts here about replacing regular bulb blinkers with LED blinkers and there's been mention of needing a load equilizer. My bike never had blinkers and I only want to put ones on the back. Does this create a problem, do I need two load equilizers since I will only have one blinker on each side? Also, reading about all this I decided it would be a good idea to replace the headlight with an H4 halogen bulb. Do they make a conversion for this as I'd like to keep the stock headlight.

Thanks,
Sanch

I'm not an expert but i swapped out my stock signals for leds in the rear and aftermarkets in the front. (01 1200xlc) I did have to put on a load equalizer in order for them to blink. I believe it depends on the year/make/model of your bike. How I understand it is the signal canceller on new bikes does not "read" the signal to blink and neads to draw more power in order to function proprerly. My turn signals came on but did not blink. They are simple to install. ONE WORD OF CAUTION: If you use the older badlanders o1 model it uses a ceramic element and will generate heat IF YOU LEAVE THE BLINKERS/flashers on for extended period of time. I found out the hard way in the middle of a parade I had my flashers on and a guy tapped me on the shoulder and said "Hey dude your bikes on fire" OH
S--T, smoke was pouring out from under the seat. Turns out the equializers was very hot and melting. After some research I find that they have new models that are "solid state" and will not generate heat. I don't want to find out. Anyway, check out "badlanders" web site they have a lot of good info on this. I don't have the link or I would give it to you. Hope this helps!! Good luck! P.s. you can find them on Ebay for around 25 bucks.

IronMick · #4 29th April 2009

You do not need a load equalizer on an IronHead. You need them on modern bikes that have a computer to control the bilnking. That little flasher unit that we have [mine is in the headlite bucket] works excellent on its own.

goldsport · #5 29th April 2009

I believe he's absolutly correct!! Just install and see what happens. Should be fine on an ironhead.

77ridgidframe · #6 29th April 2009

yea i have led's on the front of mine in the mirrors.....i only have them as markers not blinkers(blinkers dont exist on my bike) i did have some on the back too for about 20 miles after a day of installing them ,,,,damn bike just rattled them right off....so i took it as she just didnt want them there lol.....but i have had no electrical probloms because of them no

cbear · #7 29th April 2009

If an iron uses a flasher relay like old cars, then you can get an electronic flasher that isn't load dependent. I'd only do that if you do run in to issues.

billeuze · #8 29th April 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbear

If an iron uses a flasher relay like old cars, then you can get an electronic flasher that isn't load dependent. I'd only do that if you do run in to issues.

Yeh, it does. and the cheap car flashers from car parts stores work just as good as the oem harly parts - just get the same number of pins (2 or 3, i forget which) and plug it in.

Sanch · #9 29th April 2009

As usual you guys are great! Thanks for the replies.

IceFire - How did you install the PIAA H4 headlight bulb in the stock headlight housing? Did you have to get new "guts" for it?

xl1200r · #10 29th April 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronMick

You do not need a load equalizer on an IronHead. You need them on modern bikes that have a computer to control the bilnking. That little flasher unit that we have [mine is in the headlite bucket] works excellent on its own.

Not sure if this is true.

Even modern bike use a mechanical flasher (my '07 Buell did), and when I installed LED blinkers there wasn't enough load on the box to make them blink - they just buzzed and looked half-lit.

I was able to find another flasher box that plugged in but was designed to run on less draw, and while the lights blinked faster than stock, they at least blinked.

If you can't get another box to handle the lower draw, you'll need load equalizers to increase the resistance going to the flasher unit. Otherwise, they won't flash.

And LED brake/tail/turn assembly likely has all the electronic goodies built into it.