LED lights

[Skoti]

Aye Ted,

AGM batteries seem better.
I've been using them on my modern bikes for some time now.

But I'm reluctant to use them on older bikes as the electrical guru over on the Norton club site says only to use them if you have a modern solid state rectifier/regulator pack fitted.

He says on older regulators the charge input varies more and standard lead acid batteries cope better with this as they have breather pipes that deal with any heat pressure build up.

     

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Interesting comments Skoti - I thought they were more the case with lithium Ion batteries.

[Martin6]

Martin,
thanks for your input and good to know you're getting out and about on your Honda.

I'm still using the original rectifier and voltage regulator on my CB750F1, but did once have have an overcharging problem which I fixed with info gleaned from this forum. (But that's maybe for another subject thread).
However my new battery and charging system now works exactly as it should, I fitted a voltage meter to keep an eye on it.

Sometimes I do stuff without considering the consequences such as fitting the halogen headlight bulb.

As Bryan mentions the generator needs high revs, but that's not always possible in city stop/start traffic so it's not enough to replenish the battery voltage lost whilst idling at standstill.
Also I have a Boyer electronic ignition system fitted which apparently cuts out if the battery voltage is too low.

So I've learned the hard way that the charging system can just about cope in city traffic when the bike is in standard original spec.
Anyhow all this has been gone over in a previous thread where Julie mentions what I've just learned!


So back to the original thread subject, I'm hoping LED bulbs should help lower the power loss in city traffic.
 

Skoti, pride comes before a fall... started the bike this morning and plugged in my heated jacket and it died. No lights, no starter. Dead. Fuses are OK. So I'm dusting off my wiring diagram. It serves me right! Too much load somewhere. Should have known better! 

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I would be looking at the frame earth connection plus the main battery leads. My aftermarket fuse box from DS failed so I had to solder a fuse connection.

[Johnny4428]

I would be looking at the frame earth connection plus the main battery leads. My aftermarket fuse box from FS failed so I had to solder a fuse connection.

Are you sure FS wasn’t the comment you made after it failed Ted!🤣

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Yep FS DS.

I have amended the post now from FS to DS!

[Johnny4428]

Yep FS DS.

I have amended the post now from FS to DS!

So annoying Ted when something new like that fails! I bought a random bladed fuse box to fit on the 750 when I restored it. It’s not original, neither is the electronic ignition and the reg/rectifier and the absence of the clutch safety switch.😜

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Yes indeed Johnny, you convince yourself  that a new part can't be the cause so check loads of other things again. On my 400 I had a new cheap LED bulb off eBay. It worked fine when I first fitted the headlamp bowl spaghetti into the bowl. A few days later the bulb failed - I spent time you can't get back chasing the fault back to the new bulb that must have lasted for a total of 2 or 3 minutes of actual illumination.

[Johnny4428]

Sometimes that saying rings true - “buy cheap pay dear” (is that the right saying?)🤪

[K2-K6]

Martin,
thanks for your input and good to know you're getting out and about on your Honda.

I'm still using the original rectifier and voltage regulator on my CB750F1, but did once have have an overcharging problem which I fixed with info gleaned from this forum. (But that's maybe for another subject thread).
However my new battery and charging system now works exactly as it should, I fitted a voltage meter to keep an eye on it.

Sometimes I do stuff without considering the consequences such as fitting the halogen headlight bulb.

As Bryan mentions the generator needs high revs, but that's not always possible in city stop/start traffic so it's not enough to replenish the battery voltage lost whilst idling at standstill.
Also I have a Boyer electronic ignition system fitted which apparently cuts out if the battery voltage is too low.

So I've learned the hard way that the charging system can just about cope in city traffic when the bike is in standard original spec.
Anyhow all this has been gone over in a previous thread where Julie mentions what I've just learned!


So back to the original thread subject, I'm hoping LED bulbs should help lower the power loss in city traffic.
 

Skoti, pride comes before a fall... started the bike this morning and plugged in my heated jacket and it died. No lights, no starter. Dead. Fuses are OK. So I'm dusting off my wiring diagram. It serves me right! Too much load somewhere. Should have known better! 

If you can't find it readily, then check the pins both in and out at the rear of the ignition switch itself.

If you're taking power out somewhere to heat that's also passing through that switch, then it may not take the load.

[Martin6]

Yep, I found it. It was the single red terminal on the back of the key switch. 👍

[DomP]

So is fitting led lighting all round much of a job when running the original loom?  I'm not great with electrics but usually muddle my way through it.

[Skoti]

Hi Dom,

the led bulbs I bought from from https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/collections/12-volt-collection are a direct replacement for your original bulbs.

They aint cheap but 'plug and play' and no need for any wiring loom mods.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Good shout K2-K6 and well done Martin for finding it - I take little joy from doing electrics even more so if I think it's all done then they start causing a new fault.

[Martin6]

Good shout K2-K6 and well done Martin for finding it - I take little joy from doing electrics even more so if I think it's all done then they start causing a new fault.

👍 Cleaned up, soldered and running again.

http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffyleds.htm or 01494 868218. Not used him, but I know people who are happy with what he advised they go for on their Nortons. Would have thought our Honda headlamps are similar enough for him to have a recommendation.