LED wiring

[850GT_Rider]

The stock indicator lights are fed by a constant HOT wire and switch the grounds.

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I've always been intrigued by that - what's their logic for doing it that way? It's not just Suzuki or even just motorcycles - auto makers do it too. What's the advantage over switching the hot side?

[Dogma]

Okay this would take care of them lighting in every gear, but also these diagrams assumed that power was switched, not ground.


So if I am to understand correctly, all of the lights have constant power with a ground leading to the switch, and when the gear lever is in the correct position it closes the circuit lighting the bulb? If this is the case would it be possible then to reverse the wiring, with power wires leading through switch and then using the above diagram?

OK, that would work, but you only need one diode between each gear. The electricity will be able to flow all the way from 5th back to 1st through the sting of diodes. It should also be possible to reconfigure for the opposite polarity.

[afholderman]

OK, that would work, but you only need one diode between each gear. The electricity will be able to flow all the way from 5th back to 1st through the sting of diodes. It should also be possible to reconfigure for the opposite polarity.

More like this then:


Anyone have opinions on whether to use wiring or etch a circuit board?

[Dogma]

Yeah, that's it. Just reverse the polarity and diodes.

How are you planning to mount the LEDs? For a circuit this simple, I wouldn't think you'd have to make a board. Just pot it in epoxy after it's working. That's just to protect it from vibration damage. I think that might be a good idea if you make a board too.

[Dodik]

or use LED holders

[afholderman]

Yeah, that's it. Just reverse the polarity and diodes.

How are you planning to mount the LEDs? For a circuit this simple, I wouldn't think you'd have to make a board. Just pot it in epoxy after it's working. That's just to protect it from vibration damage. I think that might be a good idea if you make a board too.

I was thinking of using perfboard to mount the electronics on if I don't use circuit board. Then I would make an aluminum dash panel that bolts across the handlebar clamps and attach the electronics board to the back, probably with some rubber washers to isolate it from vibration.

[Dogma]

I was thinking of using perfboard to mount the electronics on if I don't use circuit board. Then I would make an aluminum dash panel that bolts across the handlebar clamps and attach the electronics board to the back, probably with some rubber washers to isolate it from vibration.

I like the sound of the perfboard. I'd still worry about the components breaking loose, even with the board mounted on rubber washers. It's hard to predict what frequencies of vibration will get through.

[afholderman]

I like the sound of the perfboard. I'd still worry about the components breaking loose, even with the board mounted on rubber washers. It's hard to predict what frequencies of vibration will get through.

Well when I get done with LED's I usually coat them in hot glue, which helps to keep them in place.

[scaylabs]

Any updates on this afholderman? I like your idea and would very much like to steal it

[Polemic]

More like this then:


Anyone have opinions on whether to use wiring or etch a circuit board?

Remember that each resister will be compensating for a different voltage drop. Compensate accordingly (ohms decreasing from first to fifth gear).

[kochic]

I made somethig similar for my gs1000gl.
I mounted 4 leds inside the speedometer.
High beam, neutral, flasher and oil pressure light.
All have their stock colors, blue,green, amber and red.
easy to do.
Buy low luminosity led and file the tip flat to have a more difused light.
Marc