Aftermarket directionals and blink rate...!?!

[radhawk]

So I found these mini directionals in my Stash-O-Stuff and hooked them to the rear of the '88 GT. The connectors are the perfect size and the wires even match the right hand color codes; blue and green.

Well they blinky-blinky-blinky really fast, I hooked both to see if the fast rate might be caused by an uneven balance with one stock directional still being hooked. I also touched the metal stem to the frame thinking that it might be a ground issue. Both side blink quite rapidly.

Any idea why this is...? The stock directionals blink at a regular rate so I did not think that it is a flasher issue.

Thanks,
Rob

2TnYGC.jpg

[Captain 80s]

If they are LED lights, the lower resistance will make the flasher relay blink faster. They make inline resistors to slow it back down, and they also make speed adjustable relays.

[radhawk]

Hey Captain,
Just regular bulbs. I will look for the speed adjustable relay I guess.
Never heard of such a device.
Thanks,
rad

[Captain 80s]

Huh. Weird. Good luck!

[ParcNHawk]

Buell signals did this, too. Anything of a significantly lower wattage will do this.

The resistors used are actually hooked up in parallel (not inline) and are used to just consume extra power to balance what the relay needs to keep the flash rate slow.

[bk94si]

Make sure there are no burned out bulbs front and back. That can make the flash go faster too.

[radhawk]

Make sure there are no burned out bulbs front and back. That can make the flash go faster too.

Yup, first thing I looked for.

This all started because I hate the looks of the saggy rear directionals.

thanks,
rad

[ClayJohnson]

I'm not sure but It's a relay issue. Find the turn signal relay and replace it with the new relay. Make sure while replacing the relay attached the wires correctly.
B = Power
E = Ground
L = Turn Signals

[ParcNHawk]

It can't just be changed with any relay. There are different types. There are relays that will work with LEDs. There are relays that only work with LEDs and will burn out if you use incandescent bulbs. And there are thermal relays (like stock) that work but flash fast.

Because there is no power to be saved on a fixed output stator, the simplest and cheapest solution is adding wirewound resistors in the tail of the Hawk.

Then we have the issues with the dash indicator light. Are you swapping that to LED too? Is that an eventual plan? Are you using a different set up like a Koso gauge that has separate left and right indicators? Are you planning to?

[radhawk]

It can't just be changed with any relay. There are different types. There are relays that will work with LEDs. There are relays that only work with LEDs and will burn out if you use incandescent bulbs. And there are thermal relays (like stock) that work but flash fast.

Because there is no power to be saved on a fixed output stator, the simplest and cheapest solution is adding wirewound resistors in the tail of the Hawk.

Then we have the issues with the dash indicator light. Are you swapping that to LED too? Is that an eventual plan? Are you using a different set up like a Koso gauge that has separate left and right indicators? Are you planning to?

These are not LEDs... Can you elaborate on the wire wound resistors for the laymen here...? How that is done...?

The true is, I do not mind if they blink rapidly I just do not want to be doing any harm to either the directionals or wiring in general by leaving them that way.

Thanks,
Rob

[yorkshire]

Check the bulbs in your turn signals are the same wattage as the originals

[ParcNHawk]

You won't do any damage with the "hyperflash." I have fixed this issue on many other's bikes but actually prefer it on mine.

The picture shows your typical resistor. Under the heat shrink is a ceramic case and inside the case is a coil of low resistance wire. The resistors are typically 1, 2, or 5 Ohms but rated at a high Wattage. You connect one per side in parallel with the signals and all it does is draw more amps so that the flasher relay passes enough current to heat the bi-metallic strip like the stock signals do.

[radhawk]

Check the bulbs in your turn signals are the same wattage as the originals

Ok, I did not pop one of the originals open but I did notice, when turning the key on that that the Front directionals have running lights indicating dual filament vs the Rears that do not having running lights indicating single filament.

Would that alone be the issue...?

ParcNHawk

10-4 on the resistors. Oddly, I like the fast blink too.

Thanks,
rad

[ParcNHawk]

Only the front have marker light function. If you like the fast flash then keep it as is. A word of advice is to find spare bulbs now. Because if I am correct, the bulb shares a housing and bayonet design with a parking light bulb that will not work as a signal (too dim) and the 1157 and 1156 that do fit the socket and work do not fit under the lens.

[radhawk]

Parc,
I cannot find a number on the bulbs. I'll bring one to the local Napa...