XJR1300 Alternator

[Nova]

Fred, I thought of a few more things:
1.)  What happened with the flash  rate with the LED turn signal bulbs?  Same? 
2.)  Did you add resistors to slow the flash rate? 
3.)  Does your self-cancelling function still work?

Sorry, inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks!

Ed

I've been using all LEDs and I love the switchbacks (I have clear lenses). To answer part of your question, don't add resistors. You're losing the advantage in power consumption LEDs give you. Instead, change the flasher unit to one designed to work with LEDs. It's a much easier and more elegant solution which doesn't require extra cutting into the harness. You can even find them with an adjustable flash rate.

[simi_ed]

Nope, not changing the flasher unit!  I'm not surrendering my self-cancelling turnsignals!

[aviationfred]

Fred, I thought of a few more things:
1.)  What happened with the flash  rate with the LED turn signal bulbs?  Same?  
2.)  Did you add resistors to slow the flash rate?  
3.)  Does your self-cancelling function still work?

Sorry, inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks!

Ed

I've been using all LEDs and I love the switchbacks (I have clear lenses). To answer part of your question, don't add resistors. You're losing the advantage in power consumption LEDs give you. Instead, change the flasher unit to one designed to work with LEDs. It's a much easier and more elegant solution which doesn't require extra cutting into the harness. You can even find them with an adjustable flash rate.

I will answer the questions and comments from both posts.

Ed's questions first

The flash rate is much faster as with any LED bulbs.
Yes, I have added resistors to slow the flash rate down. 6 Ohm 25W resistors were used.
I lost the self canceling feature 3 years ago when I did the digital speedometer mod. With the new Speed Hut gauges, the self canceling feature is still inop.

Nova's comments
The flasher relay is not as simple to swap. There are differences between the '89/'90 (3CW) and the '91-'93 (3XW) flasher relay's. The 3CW flasher relay has 5 wires going to it and the 3XW flasher relay only has 3. Most LED specific aftermarket flasher relays that I have been able to find are of the 3 pole type. I am sure that with enough time and effort, I could figure out exactly which wires of the 5 I would need to move over to the 3 pole LED relay. I am an electrician by trade and have no issues with splicing the correct resistors into the turn signal wires.

Ed, the self canceling feature should not be effected by installing the LED switchback bulbs. In the main instrument cluster attached to the white housing is a small reed switch that sits behind the speedometer. It senses motion and sends a signal to cancel the blinking at a pre set time after motion is detected.

Here is a photo of the reed switch


Fred

[ELIMINATOR]

Fred,
         Really impressed with the switchback led & clear indicator lenses. I've just googled the Switchback lights, how complicated is this change to do?

Would I be correct in assuming that there are the normal positive and negative wires for the indicator function, and also an extra live, taken from the existing lighting circuit.

Is the wiring complicated for an idiot like me? 

Trev

[aviationfred]

Fred,
         Really impressed with the switchback led & clear indicator lenses. I've just googled the Switchback lights, how complicated is this change to do?

Would I be correct in assuming that there are the normal positive and negative wires for the indicator function, and also an extra live, taken from the existing lighting circuit.

Is the wiring complicated for an idiot like me? 

Trev

For the US spec bikes, there is no wiring to do. The FJ's are pre wired for running lights on the front. Probably the easiest way to add the running light to a UK/European spec FJ would be the purchase a R/L front turn signal housing from the US. Once you have the US spec housings, the Blue wires are for the running lights. Look in the Haynes/Clymer manual for the wiring diagram and tie the blue wire into the appropriate 12v power source.


Fred