Any interest in a how-to for making LED turn signals?

[Sparkster]

I'm in the process of putting ammo cans on for side bags and as a result I realised that I no longer had rear turn signals. The previous ones were built into the Shoei boxes. Well as luck would have it (I thought) I have two rear turn signals sitting here as part of a lot I purchased used. It turned out, however, that the insides of one of them was pretty well rotted out so I set about turning it into a LED turn signal using 5 10mm amber LEDs. All that to say, does anyone think it would be helpful to anyone or worth the time to put together a tutorial on this?
Here's the before / after:

[earlfor]

I would be interested in the info to use for constructing some low power consumption and bright running lights and possibly additional brake lights

Earl

[courier11sec]

I'd like to see it.

[Sparkster]

Two quick replies this late at night must mean something. I'll get to work on the instructions later this week (after I finish mounting the ammo cans and signals!:-D )

[courier11sec]

I'll keep an eye out for it!

[Bill C.]

Led

I would like to see how you did it.

[BassCliff]

Let there be light!

Mr. Sparkster,

I'm always thinking about lighting upgrades for my bike. I'd love to see your ideas. Thank you for your efforts.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[psyguy]

VERY interested to learn
thanks :-D

[Pete Logan]

I'd love to see it. I've used single LEDs as warning lights on my HD, but I'd love to get LED arrays in place of the rears and indicators.

[dkruitz]

A certainly Yes! Where do you find the LEDs bright enough?

I'm in the process of putting ammo cans on for side bags and as a result I realised that I no longer had rear turn signals. The previous ones were built into the Shoei boxes. Well as luck would have it (I thought) I have two rear turn signals sitting here as part of a lot I purchased used. It turned out, however, that the insides of one of them was pretty well rotted out so I set about turning it into a LED turn signal using 5 10mm amber LEDs. All that to say, does anyone think it would be helpful to anyone or worth the time to put together a tutorial on this?
Here's the before / after:

[Dogma]

A certainly Yes! Where do you find the LEDs bright enough?

And how do you know they're bright enough? I have a brother in the automotive lighting industry who actually designs LED signal and marker lights, and used to be an application engineer supporting LED sales to the OEMs. He's the closest thing I know to an expert on the subject. Apparently, a challenge in LED marker lights (apart from an efficient circuit that doesn't overheat) is designing a light that meets federal safety requirements for visibility. I don't know what those requirements are, but I think they have to do with light intensity and angles of visibility. I know he has commented that most aftermarket LED lights do not meet minimum guidelines. And I'm sure most of us want to surpass the minimums by a wide margin.

Should I see if I can get him to chime in on this thread? (He also has a GS 550 he should be taking care of...)

[Steve]

Bright LEDs are no problem at all. Just remember to use the same color LED as the lens that is over it (unless you are trying to acheive a special effect).

Super Bright LEDs. Individual LEDs. Scroll down to the Yellow section. About any of them are brighter than what you get at Radio Snack. If I was going to choose from these, I would get the 5000 mcd, 30 degree units.

Super Bright LEDs Module panels. Scroll down to the 1156/1157 series lamps. This is a square module that uses a standard bulb base that will fit your signal socket, then you can silicone the panel in place and put the yellow lens over it.

.

[Sparkster]

Should I see if I can get him to chime in on this thread? (He also has a GS 550 he should be taking care of...)

You raise a compelling point. I don't know what the federal regulations are on illumuniation to the rear and/or sides for a turn signal. I do know that each of the 5 LEDs I used are rated at 60,000 mcd and used in conjunction are decently bright.

As for circuitry and heat- there is no circuitry other than an in-line resistor for each and heat isn't much of a problem for a turn signal since you won't be using it for an extended time. Well... I might because I'm constantly forgetting to turn them off after a turn.

[Dogma]

I was thinking of heat because of a conversation we had at the Detroit Auto show. Most of the concept cars had funky LED headlights (including one he helped on). He told me that nobody was actually putting them into production because LEDs that bright make too much heat. Even the show cars had large heat sinks, and they weren't nearly bright enough to drive on.

Anyhow, I'll shoot him an email and see if I can get him to chime in. He may need to correct me on a couple points anyway.

[Muser3]

Led's

Sparkster, I would like to know all about the ammo boxes and how you are mounting them as well as the led signal lights.

Thanks for bringing the subject up!
Lee :-D