Motorcycle LED Lights - FAQs

1) What does LED stand for? 

LED Stands for Light Emitting Diode. LEDs are bright but use very little power, typically only 26mA of current per LED. LEDs produce extremely low amounts of heat, are high impact resistant, and come in  waterproof enclosures. The Average Life of an LED is approximately 100,000 hours or 10 years of continuous use, much longer than conventional light bulbs.  In addition, LEDs look cool and give your bike a unique custom look.

2) Are there any safety advantages of LEDs over conventional bulbs?

LEDs illuminate approximately 20% faster than conventional bulbs. Because LEDs illuminate faster, this may provide greater reaction time for vehicles approaching you.

3) Will I need to add a Load Equalizer if I convert to LEDs?

Maybe. Your tail light/brake light is not load dependent so converting this to an LED tail light will NOT require the addition of a load equalizer. However, if you are replacing your stock turn signals with LEDs, you may need a load equalizer.  If you are adding LEDs but leaving your stock turn signals you will not need a load equalizer. If you are replacing either your front or rear turn signal with LEDs you will most likely notice that your turns signal will flash faster and therefore need a load equalizer. 

You will not need a load equalizer if you are installing LED Accent Lights.

4) Why do LEDs turn signals require the addition of a load equalizer or a non-load dependant flasher?

The turn signal unit or flasher is load dependent, it needs a certain amount of current to function. Many bikes are designed to flash at a faster rate if a bulb is burned out. Since LEDs draw much less current, your flasher unit may act as if a bulb is out and flash at the faster rate.  If you replace either the front or the rear turn signals with LEDs, you will typically need to add a load equalizer. If you replace both front and rear with LEDS, you will typically need 2 load equalizers.  Many bikes have a 2 or 3 wire flasher that can be replaced with our non-load dependent flashers, these flashers are not self canceling but replaces the need for a load equalizer.

Universal Flasher Installation Instructions

5) How do I mount a load equalizer?

We carry several types of load equalizers. If you have a Harley Davidson, we carry the Badlands Equalizer and the Signal Stabilizer. These equalizers cost more than the general purpose load equalizers but they produces very little heat and are alarm compatible. If you need to add a load equalizer and you do not have a H-D, you will need a general purpose load equalizer. Installation of the general purpose load equalizer is easy, you just need to locate your two front or rear turn signal wires and ground, then snap the connectors into place.  The load equalizer should be mounted under the seat and securely fastened to the frame rail with at least two tie wraps.

Load Equalizer Installation

6) Will the LED Tail Light Retro Fit Kit plug into my existing tail light wiring? 

Yes. The LED retro fit kits are designed to be plug and play. However, if you order a unit with built in turns, it will require wiring to the existing bike turn signal wiring.

7) What is the difference between the LED Tail Light Retro Fit Kit with Built In Turns and without?

The LED Tail Light Reto Fit kits come with and without built in turns. The unit with Built in Turns contain a number of LEDs that will flash on the appropriate side when the bike's turn signal is activated, thus the unit will provide running, brake, and turn signal functions all within the tail light unit, this unit may also require the addition of a load equalizer. The turn signal LEDs are single intensity while the middle brake/run LEDs are dual intensity. The kit without built-in turns will provide running and brake light functions as all LEDs are dual intensity.

8) How do I tell what type of bulb my bike has? 

Take a look here

9) Should I use an LED replacement bulb or a cluster?

LEDs are very intense but also very directional, meaning the light beam does not diverge. Although most of the newer LEDs have  wider viewing angles, it is still important to use as many LEDs as you can fit in your housing.  If you are replacing your turn signal or tail light with LEDs, we suggest that you look for an LED Reto Fit Kit first, if one is not available for your model bike, then measure the diameter of the housing and select the largest LED Cluster that is available. You will get the best results from using the most LEDs.

10) How can I draw more attention to my brake lights?

There are several ways to do this, you can add a brake light modulator that flashes or pulses your brake light when your brakes are applied. You can also add a conversion unit that will add brake light functionality to your rear turn signals. If you add brake light functionality to your rear turn signals, most states require the lens to be red.

11) How can I make my headlight more visible during the day?

One way is to add our  head light modulator. This module will flash you headlight during daylight to make your bike more visible to oncoming traffic. You can also add a pair of our Halogen Silver Bullet driving lights.

12) How can I get more light output from my headlight?

You can upgrade to a PIAA Premium bulb, by increasing the color temperate (Kelvin scale) you can get about twice as much visible light output from the same stock wattage.

13) I noticed that you sell clear tail light lens with LEDs but also sell LED Retro Fit Kit, what is the difference?

The LED Tail Light and Turn Signal Retro Fit kits contain a LED Array with the maximum number of leds that can fit that particular tail light or turn signal. The LED Tail Light Lens contains a Lens and a LED Cluster, not a LED Array. 

14) I have Metric Cruiser with one turn signal indicator light in the speedometer, will that be a problem when installing LEDs?

Metric cruisers with one turn signal indicator light require the installation of a metric cruiser diode kit to prevent the indicator bulb from acting as low resistance path between left and right, resulting in both turn left and right turn signals coming on together. GEN-MDK will cure this..  For more details see diode installation instructions.

15) I purchased your LED Flex Array kit for the front forks of my Yamaha Road Star Warrior.   When I disconnected the stock turn signals, the ECU went crazy and when I shut off my bike a solenoid in the motor runs and runs.  There isn't enough resistance, obviously and the ECU doesn't agree.  My question is, how do I fix it? 

The universal load equalizer will take care of the problem with not enough load on the turn signals and will return the flash rate to normal but the Road Star Warrior is also sensitive to the load on the running lights. If the stock bulbs have been removed, in addition to placing a load on the turn signals, you need to add additional load to the running lights.  You will need to place a 5W load back on the running lights.  For 5W at 14V, you need a approximately 38 ohm resistor. Radio Shack stocks a 50 ohm 10 Watt resistor pair. By Connecting the resistor from each removed stock running light wire to ground, you will place sufficient load back on the system to satisfy the ECU.

 16) I have an 5008 bulb what type of LED do I use to replace it?

   1156 replaces all 1156, 1073, 1141, 3497, 7506, 5007 and 5008 bulbs.

    1157 replaces all 1157, 1154, 1034, 2057, 2357, 2397, 3496, and 7528 bulbs

For more help, click here

17) How do you reset the TSSM Security module on 2001 and newer Harley Davidsons?

Please be sure load equalizer module is properly installed. 

1. Be sure run/off switch is in the off position.

2. Turn ignition key switch on, off, on, off, then on.

3. Quickly, depress left turn signal switch and release, repeat. Turn signal indicators will flash 1-3 times, do not continue unless turn signals respond.

4. Depress right turn signal switch and release. Your turn signal indicator light will flash 1 time.

5. Depress right turn signal switch and release. Your turn signal indicator light will flash 2 times.

6. Depress right turn signal switch and release. Your turn signal indicator light will flash 3 times.

7. Depress left turn signal switch and release. Your turn signal indicators will flash trouble codes.

8. Depress and hold left turn signal for 4 to 5 seconds until turn signal indicator flashes twice.

9. Turn ignition key switch to off position.

18) I want to add a load equalizer but don't know what color the corresponding wires are?

The chart below can be used as a guide, check your service manual or use a test light. For H-D motorcycles we recommend using the BT series load equalizers that plug directly into the wiring harness.

19) Are all LEDs created equal?

The following context explains differences between LED lights of various types and qualities. The objective
is to educate the reader to enable him or her to make a wiser decision prior to purchasing any product
containing LED technology. Other educational content related to LED lighting can be found on this website,
or at http://www.LunarAccents.com. Unfortunately, many of those who at least somewhat familiar with basic LED technology, lack the ability to recognize primary differences between LED lights. Many buyers looking to purchase an LED product, tend to search out a product featuring the largest overall quantity of LED lights. This common mistake stems from the believe that more LED lights equals more light output. However, not all LEDs are created equal! Anyone purchasing an LED product for any reason, should start by considering the luminous output required for their specific lighting application. Luminous output measured in lumens, describes the total visible light output from the device, in all directions. Do not confuse this with luminous intensity, which describes only the intensity within a given distance and range of angular degrees. A standard 100 watt incandescent light light will produce approximately 1300 lumens. How much light does your specific application require? Keep in mind that the capabilities of some LEDs exceed those of others. An array of forty 5mm LEDs may produce about 80 lumens, as opposed to an array of forty high power LED lights that might produce as much as 4000 lumens. You will find a dramatic cost difference between the array of 5mm LEDs and high power LEDs. Even though both arrays contain an equal number of total LED lights, the capabilities of the high power LEDs far exceed those of the less powerful 5mm devices.  You have a rough idea as to the total luminous output
your lighting application requires. The next step involves calculating for efficiency. Two types of
efficiency commonly associated with LED lighting include "power efficiency" and "cost efficacy". Power
efficiency compares the total light output measured in lumens, to the overall power dissipation measured in watts. The overall power dissipation includes all wasted energy dissipated in the form of heat. To
calculate for power efficiency, you must know two variables, including the luminous output in lumens and
total power dissipation in watts, or operating voltage and total amperage. If you only have the voltage and amperage, multiply them by each other to obtain the total power dissipation of the device. The next step is to divide the luminous output by total power dissipation. If an LED device provides 100 lumens and
dissipates 5 watts, divide 100 into 5 for your answer. The efficiency of this device equals "20 lumens per
watt".  The process to calculate cost efficiency is very similar to that utilized to calculate energy
efficiency. Simply divide the total luminous output of your LED product by the total cost. Your answer in
"lumens per dollar" provides an indication of the light output you will receive per each dollar paid for
this specific LED device. For example, an LED array producing 100 lumens at a total cost of $20.00, offers
a cost efficiency of  "5 lumens per dollar".  So far we have discussed the concepts of LED efficiencies, but there are other reasons why all LED lights are not created equal. Several of them include color consistency, extent of life, and consistency of luminous output. These factors are determined by the following three primary factors: LED quality, LED binning, LED integration by the designer. The following context will discuss each of the three factors in greater detail.  High quality LEDs should always appear of the exact same color to the naked human eye. The LED lights should also appear uniform in luminous intensity. Color variations and variation in luminous output may become apparent with LED lights of lower quality. To test for consistencies, connect the LED product or LED array to an adjustable power supply. Start by setting the output voltage on the power supply to the required operating voltage for the LED device. Slowly decreased the voltage until the LEDs begin to dim out. This is the operating range where inconsistencies in color and luminous output will become most apparent. LEDs of higher quality should appear uniform, and exhibit the same color and output characteristics. However, low
quality or cheap LEDs may not. Some may exhibit variations in color as well as luminous output. 
In some cases the LED manufacturer's "binning" process can be blamed for apparent inconsistencies in color and luminous output. Subsequent to LED lamp production, the manufacture will subject each LED to a testing process in order to identify and sort individual LEDs based on specific characteristics.
Among these characteristics include the voltage, optical wavelength, and luminous output. The binning
process becomes the most critical aspect associated with uniformity among various LED lots or batches.
Unfortunately, some LED manufactures do not pay enough attention to the quality of their binning procedures. As an end result, variations in LED characteristics may become apparent during operation.  Low quality LEDs may feature a reduced life span. Many designers and LED manufacturers refer to and describe LED life in terms of lumen maintenance. Lumen maintenance indicates the relative light output after a specified period of accumulative operation. LED lights of uppermost quality may feature a lumen maintenance of 70% at fifty thousand hours. However, cheaper LEDs may only offer 40% at fifty thousand hours. Aside from overall LED quality, another factor affecting lumen maintenance includes good thermal management. However, good thermal management becomes a factor of the system designer, more so than of the LED manufacture. The system designer must consider LED die temperatures during operation, and attempt to incorporate a means of cooling such as circuit board copper or an external heat sink.

20) What is the easiest way for a do it yourselfer to open the stainless steel wire loom?

 

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