Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => SOHC Singles & Twins => Topic started by: 545863 on May 17, 2023, 10:47:42 AM

Title: LED Indicators
Post by: 545863 on May 17, 2023, 10:47:42 AM
I converted the indicators on my 1981 CB100N to LED bulbs, (together with diode and the correct relay), they work fine with the engine off but flicker when the engine is running. The supplier suggested that this may be due to an unsuppressed HT lead. I used a new coil with a suppressed lead and a suppressed spark plug cap but the flickering remains when the engine is running. Has anyone had a similar experience or maybe suggest what might be causing the flickering? Thanks.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on May 17, 2023, 11:38:50 AM
More likely imho to be the quality of the LED units in coping with the voltage rise from the alternator - did you buy them from Classiccarleds or off e-bay?

Huge differences in quality V price not to mention specification.


Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: Laverdaroo on May 17, 2023, 12:12:20 PM
I second that, in the world of LED’s you really do get what you pay for as they’re made up such low cost items to build you end up with crap components being made into substandard indicators. I’ve had issues with flickering bulbs before and if it was t an loose earth it was a crap LED which was instantly cured by superior components:or item replacement. You don’t have a short to the diode caused by vibration from the engine. Could be something as simple as that but should think it’s the indicators.


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Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: 545863 on May 17, 2023, 02:28:11 PM
Bulbs, diode and flasher relay all bought from classiccarleds.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on May 17, 2023, 02:54:15 PM
Might be worth checking your voltage output to see if it's overcharging - if your battery is on it's way out you might be getting too many volts.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: Laverdaroo on May 17, 2023, 05:10:11 PM
Bulbs, diode and flasher relay all bought from classiccarleds.

Mine came from there, I bought the chrome bullet ones for the front. Sent them back in the end andbought from Classic bike instead; worked perfectly straight away.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: 545863 on May 17, 2023, 06:32:44 PM
Just to be clear, LED bulbs were put in the original indicators, so it's just the bulbs which were changed then the diode and flasher unit wired in.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on May 17, 2023, 06:38:41 PM
I still think it's the bulbs - a few years back I fitted LED DTRL's to our previous Jeep. As soon as there was a hint of rain they would start flashing or fail likewise with LED  festoon bulbs.
IIRC some LED bulbs are rated as 12-24 volts as the operating range  some are not polarity sensitive.
They have improved in quality & reliability but still a lot of duff ones about.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: Matt_Harrington on May 18, 2023, 08:31:30 AM
Bulbs, diode and flasher relay all bought from classiccarleds.

Mine came from there, I bought the chrome bullet ones for the front. Sent them back in the end andbought from Classic bike instead; worked perfectly straight away.
What firm is that, Roo?

In passing, I have also bought from Argo LED on ebay and have had great service from them...
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: 545863 on May 18, 2023, 11:49:22 AM
The battery is fairly new and is the AGM type. I have 6.40 volts with the engine off, 7.01 volts at idle then variable up to 7.45 volts when revving the engine.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on May 18, 2023, 12:03:47 PM
I'm not familiar with 6 volt systems - do you have a manual for the voltage outputs? The lower reading looks sensible the upper readings might be tad high. That said if they are flashing at idle is that relevant.
Might be worth fitting an extra condenser at the coil end to reduce interference.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: Moorey on May 18, 2023, 03:33:45 PM
What type of bulb are they . As in fitting type/ size as I have a few. 6.3v Ac/Dc non polarity leds in wedge and bayonet.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: Oddjob on May 18, 2023, 03:43:00 PM
I used to do modified dashboards for cars in LEDs a few years ago, when my mum died for some reason so did the passion for doing them. I keep thinking how easy it would be to do the same for the SOHC Hondas, instead of fitting a bulb I'd be fitting around 20-30 LEDs in each indicator, wired so that if one LED started to fail or did fail the rest would still work just fine. I was thinking of doing the same with the stop/tail light using higher powered Lumen LEDs for the brake light and lowered powered for the tail light, might get around 40 in there I reckon. A typical dash for a Mk4 Astra for instance had around 130 LEDs in it. My favourite was neon blue with red needles.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: 545863 on May 18, 2023, 03:50:50 PM
Bulbs are 2 pin, (same height not offset), bayonet fitting with a 15mm base.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: Moorey on May 18, 2023, 04:16:53 PM
Bulbs are 2 pin, (same height not offset), bayonet fitting with a 15mm base.

  Sorry I do not have any BA15S
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: 545863 on May 18, 2023, 05:33:48 PM
O.K. thanks anyway.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: 545863 on May 18, 2023, 05:53:03 PM
O.K. thanks anyway.
Title: Re: LED Indicators
Post by: 545863 on May 18, 2023, 05:55:15 PM
For info: I emailed classiccarleds who replied as follows:

The flickering with the LEDs can be caused by a number of things, RF from the coil being primary however, we'd recommend checking:

The earths and live contacts at the lamp holders and also the flasher relay.  LEDs need better contacts than incandescent lamps will suffer.  Vibration from the bike when the engine is running may be causing loss of contact which LEDs will show immediately.
A drop in voltage.  Make sure you have 6 volts at the lamp holders when the bike is running.
Your indicator switch.  Make sure the switch is in good condition and the contacts are clean.
Using a multimeter, ensure there is no ripple (AC) in the electrical supply.
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