LED taillights

[gregr]

I put a pair of the "Flower" type LEDs that replace the bulbs on my GS1150 tail lights Now the stop/tail indicator in always on. Do I need to put a rsistor in series with the LED's? If so, any idea what resistence?
Thanks

[Matchless]

I put a pair of the "Flower" type LEDs that replace the bulbs on my GS1150 tail lights Now the stop/tail indicator in always on. Do I need to put a rsistor in series with the LED's? If so, any idea what resistence?
Thanks

No, not necessary unless they are too bright!

Resistors are usually installed in parallel over the flasher led's to help increase the load so that the OEM or load sensitive flasher unit works properly.

[Steve]

The light monitor in your panel is looking for a certain amount of current draw, indicating that the light is actually working. By changing to LEDs, you have greatly reduced the current that is flowing, and the monitor thinks the bulb has burned out. By putting a resistor in parallel, more current will flow, satisying the monitor, but you probably changed for the purpose of reducing that current, so it would be counter-productive.

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[gregr]

The light monitor in your panel is looking for a certain amount of current draw, indicating that the light is actually working. By changing to LEDs, you have greatly reduced the current that is flowing, and the monitor thinks the bulb has burned out. By putting a resistor in parallel, more current will flow, satisying the monitor, but you probably changed for the purpose of reducing that current, so it would be counter-productive.

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Actually I changed them fro more bitghtness not current reduction. Any idea how much resistance ot put in parallel?

[Steve]

Actually I changed them fro more bitghtness not current reduction. Any idea how much resistance ot put in parallel?

First of all, what lights did you get, and, ... did you get the extra brightness you were looking for?

Too many times, the LED replacement 'bulbs' only have a small 'bright' spot and don't fill the entire area.
Let us know what you got and how you like it. Pictures would be nice, too.

The stock tail light is about 2 or 3 watts, meaning about 1/4 amp. To get that, you would need about 50 ohms.

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