Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: peterengland on October 09, 2016, 12:18:09 PM

Title: Indicator bulbs
Post by: peterengland on October 09, 2016, 12:18:09 PM: My indicators seem to be a bit 'rapid' no problem really but the manual says I should have 32w bulbs and mine are 23w but I can' seem to get any locally, would a 32w bulb set make it slower? don't know enough about electrics to know if this would work.
Bike is a 1976 550.
Title: Re: Indicator bulbs
Post by: hairygit on October 09, 2016, 12:52:58 PM: You won't find them, they don't exist, it's probably a misprint. U.K models should use 21W for indicators. If they seem fast, check ALL the connections in the relevant circuit, particularly the earths. If it doesn't improve, then suspect the flasher unit or switch. But try it with 21W bulbs first!
Title: Re: Indicator bulbs
Post by: gtmdriver on October 09, 2016, 01:28:42 PM: I had problems with the indicators flashing slowly at low engine revs and more rapidly as the revs increased since the output of the alternator varies with engine speed and a normal flasher unit is voltage/current dependent so I fitted a Universal Electronic Flasher relay from car Builder Solutions. These have a higher current capacity than a normal electronic unit and will work with led's or filament bulbs. They flash at a constant speed regardless of the supply voltage and it has solved the problem completely.

The have 2 terminals so you leave the earth wire disconnected. They are larger than the stock Honda unit but will still fit under the side panel.

http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/2-pin-electronic-flasher-relay
Title: Re: Indicator bulbs
Post by: Bryanj on October 09, 2016, 01:59:36 PM: On a "standard" relay the higher the wattage the quicker the flash
Title: Re: Indicator bulbs
Post by: hairygit on October 09, 2016, 02:01:01 PM: So try the correct 21W bulbs and you will see what Bryan is saying! ;D
Title: Re: Indicator bulbs
Post by: Bryanj on October 09, 2016, 02:03:46 PM: Another thing is a lot of Japanese specs are in Candle Power (CP) not Watts like us sensible English peeps
Title: Re: Indicator bulbs
Post by: mike the bike on October 09, 2016, 05:40:47 PM: +1 with Hairygit....use 21W. The wattage, and hence resistance, of the bulb determine the flash rate.
Title: Re: Indicator bulbs
Post by: peterengland on October 09, 2016, 07:35:13 PM: ok will try 21w. cheers chaps
Title: Re: Indicator bulbs
Post by: Trigger on October 09, 2016, 07:40:33 PM: I had the same problem last year with it flashing so fast that it looked as it was on constantly, I think it was Hairy that suggested to fit a LED relay and it worked a teat , and is sill OK.
Title: Re: Indicator bulbs
Post by: Ashdowner on October 18, 2016, 07:39:39 AM: Spend £10 and change them to LED's including an LED relay.