[JeffMiles]

Hi!
I hope everyone is doing well.
Just curious if anyone else has run into this issue when converting to LED lights.
I installed the new LED blinker and everything works fine for the most part.
However, my tail and front turn signal running lights always start losing bulbs after some blinking as the bike warms up. Eventually there are only a few LED bulbs still working, especially in the tail. Any input would be appreciated.
Also let me know what you think about my rebuild (seen in my icon).

Thanks
Jeff

 

[mtreis86]

How high of voltage is your machine running at? Original regulator? If the regulator starts to fail it may overvolt and that can burn out the leds. Also the original regulators are known for not being stable and having occasional voltage spikes so if it is original you'd probably best replace it. Regular bulbs can handle a fair amount of overvolting - they just get brighter. But LEDs can't. Some brands of led bulb do have overvoltage protection built in.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

What exactly do you mean by "LED bulbs"? Are you referring to LED bulb replacements (that install in lights intended for incandescent bulbs) or are you referring to the individual LEDs in a light designed for them as bulbs?

If you mean the individual LEDs (properly referred to as either LEDs or diodes), are you saying that the diodes fail altogether or just stop lighting temporarily and work again the next time?

Also, are you talking about the tail and running (marker) lights or the turn signals?

Some pics of the lights or maybe a link to where you bought them might help us figure out what is going on.

 

[JeffMiles]

Hi mtreis and Sidecar,

Thanks for helping out.
OEM regulator, voltmeter says 12v consistently.
Completely aftermarket LED fixture that includes solid red running lights and goes brighter when brakes are applied.
illuminates the rear plate as well. Bulbs are not 'burnt out'. As soon as the bike ignition is turned to 'on', they start their slow little dance, as you will see in the pictures. All bulbs are lit, then slowly one quarter of them start blinking and then go off, until only the bottom left group is still on. Turn signals are separate and have had no problems. I bought them online from 'Mad Hornets'. I can't remember if they have always done that and it took me a while to notice, or if it is a new development. This weekend I worked hard to isolate the problem. In the end, I found that I can literally alligator clip the circuit inside the fixture directly to the battery and the same thing happens. I am talking to the seller to see what my options are. I am wondering if maybe rain damage has caused problems. I drive it every day and it does actually rain in SoCal 3 days every year......haha. I have already had to open up and clean my starter push-button switch, replace the starter solenoid, and replace the LED blinker switch because of apparent rain damage.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

Yeah, that does sound like a defective light. If it is sold for use on motorcycles you should expect it to be waterproof enough that it won't fail due to a bit of rain.

 

[JeffMiles]

Thanks so much Bob.
You are always so helpful and knowledgeable. I appreciate it.
Happy holidays!

 

[Gerard]

Can also be poor soldering ,or cracking from vibration , depending on quality .

 

[JeffMiles]

Thanks Gerard,
I will look into that.
The seller is being very cooperative.
So hopefully a replacement will solve things.
And just taking Uber on rainy days is a good idea.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

Most sellers would rather fix the problem than have a disgruntled customer.

 

[Gerard]

Quite often customers are the only way a company finds out they have a problem with there products,testing can be very expensive and still not show a problem. Time cannot be replaced