Need help on wiring of LED's for rear running lights brakes

[schr8er2000]

I have purchased a roll of red led lights and wondering how I can have them dimmed for rear running lights and then brighter for brakes. This is the item I have purchased and they are very bright under normal conditions... http://www.amazon.com/Lampux-Flexible-L ... ingdocs-20.

Am not familiar with the rear/brake light wiring so ANY help would be appreciated....

THANKS

[oldishwinger]

which goldwing is it?

For instance on the 1200, the brake and running lights are independent of each other, and you would require an led system, that would allow you to tap into both running and brake light systems.

[schr8er2000]

Sorry... I have a 1998 Honda Goldwing Aspencade...
Does it have a separate wire for the running lights and brake lights ??? and how do I dim the running lights that remain on all the time ?>>?

[wing rider 2012]

The only way I can think of to do what your wanting to do it to use a resistor and diode combination. You would put the resistor in line with the driving light circuit feeding the LED strip along with the diode. The resistor will drop the voltage and dim the LED's and the diode would prevent any voltage feed back from the brake light circuit. As for the brake light circuit you would connect the brake light voltage to the feed line of the LED via another diode, the diode is used to prevent any voltage feed back coming from the running light circuit.

[jenagle]

I think what you might be looking for is addressed in this post: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=18400

[WingAdmin]

I did exactly this on my bike, but found using resistors and diodes to limit current to achieve different brightness was really inconsistent. I ended up building a pulse-width modulation circuit to dim mine, which is how it is done in production vehicles that use LED tail lights. I'm working on a writeup for this right now.

[ka4yqi]

Build the diode and resistors kit or get these thru Cyclemax.
http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/led_dua ... /129/83939

I'm working on a writeup for this right now.

Hurry , I'm waiting..

[schr8er2000]

OK... I understand what you are saying... since I am NOT very good at reading electrical diagrams was wondering if the bulb for the tail/brake lights has separate wires for the low beam ( tail light ) and another set for the brakes.???? If so I could just wire the led's onto the ones for the brakes and put a resistor one on for the tail lights.... WILL THAT WORK ???

And to everyone who responded... THANK YOU.. I do appreciate all your help and hopefully some day I can return the favor.....

Thanks again

[WingAdmin]

I just posted a writeup (and video) of the LEDs I put on the back of my bike:

Retrofitting LED Brake, tail and turn signals to the GL1500

[ka4yqi]

OK... I understand what you are saying... since I am NOT very good at reading electrical diagrams was wondering if the bulb for the tail/brake lights has separate wires for the low beam ( tail light ) and another set for the brakes.???? If so I could just wire the led's onto the ones for the brakes and put a resistor one on for the tail lights.... WILL THAT WORK ???

Yes you have 1 circuit for the taillight and another one for the brake light. The one with taillight needs a resistor and a diode. The brake light circuit also needs a diode, so the brake and taillights do not feed back in each other.

[schr8er2000]

OK... I understand what you are saying... since I am NOT very good at reading electrical diagrams was wondering if the bulb for the tail/brake lights has separate wires for the low beam ( tail light ) and another set for the brakes.???? If so I could just wire the led's onto the ones for the brakes and put a resistor one on for the tail lights.... WILL THAT WORK ???

Yes you have 1 circuit for the taillight and another one for the brake light. The one with taillight needs a resistor and a diode. The brake light circuit also needs a diode, so the brake and taillights do not feed back in each other.

Ok... thanks for getting back to me.. I will see what I can do as I would like to have ALL leds there ...just for more visibility... the drivers here in PA dont look out for other cars much less bikes.... Thanks again

[PastoT]

I wired my side LEDS in the radiator guards using the resister/diode approach (dim running amber LEDs strips and flashing full intensity for turn), real nice result. For the brake I wanted the LEDS full intensity and to change the rear light configuration from what the running lights appears - I feel is helped distinguish the two situations. So LEDs attached to brake lights have no running light effect at all. Next I found a fast flashing circuit for about $3 on Ebay that flashes the LEDs for a few seconds first then burns solid. I ride in a lot of fog in the winter and had concerns that my braking wouldn't catch the attention of anyone behind me as they were all just brighter - actually illuminating a visibly different array of lighting is certainly a benefit.

[schr8er2000]

Thanks for the comments.. I LIKE the idea of them flashing before becoming a solid color... sounds like a real eye catcher.... Thanks again

[Big Blue UK]

Try this on a pannier light unit. If it already has running lights all you have to do is undo the nuts to separate the lense from the body of the light unit. Fit three LED strips into the light unit, you will have to prep the surface before sticking the LED strips, I used a hot glue gun to ensure the LED strips do not become detached and droop. Connect the middle LED strip to the sidelight , and the two outside LED strips to the brake light.
This simple method has each LED strip performing a single function, wired up to either the side light or brake light.

You may be happy with this. but be warned, once you start you will want to be rid of all the incandescent bulbs, and may spend the winter with all the light units stripped off and fitting a pulse modulator which is the way to go today. I fitted LED strips in my fairing indicators too, LED's in the front running lights, LED's in the cornering lights etc.



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[Dusty Boots]

Build the diode and resistors kit or get these thru Cyclemax.
http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/led_dua ... /129/83939

Has anyone used this product??? Are you happy with it?

I have built a bumper for the rear of my camper that has a recess built into it for a single strip of red LEDs that I would like to use as both a running and brake light.

It will be too bright as a running light if wired up for that purpose and would I fear take away from the other brake lights on the trailer when they are activated.

Otherwise, I will wire it up as an additional brake light.



Dusty

[WingAdmin]

Build the diode and resistors kit or get these thru Cyclemax.
http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/led_dua ... /129/83939

Has anyone used this product??? Are you happy with it?

I have built a bumper for the rear of my camper that has a recess built into it for a single strip of red LEDs that I would like to use as both a running and brake light.

That product is literally a couple 5 cent resistors, a few pieces of wire and some heat shrink tubing, sold for $7.00. It says it will reduce power going to the LEDs by 50% ...but that's not really possible, because the value of the resistor required to do this is going to depend 100% on the LED(s) types and number of LEDs connected to it. It's possible to use resistors to dim LEDs, however it will not be consistent, and the amount of light output will vary depending on the voltage of the system. i.e. they could swell brighter when the engine revs up. That's why I went with a PWM circuit to dim my LEDs for running lights.

I'm also curious about the bumper you're making (I have the same trailer). Does it stick out farther than the fiberglass upper? Is it intended for rear impacts, or to mitigate reversing mistakes?

[Dusty Boots]

That product is literally a couple 5 cent resistors, a few pieces of wire and some heat shrink tubing, sold for $7.00. It says it will reduce power going to the LEDs by 50% ...but that's not really possible, because the value of the resistor required to do this is going to depend 100% on the LED(s) types and number of LEDs connected to it. It's possible to use resistors to dim LEDs, however it will not be consistent, and the amount of light output will vary depending on the voltage of the system. i.e. they could swell brighter when the engine revs up. That's why I went with a PWM circuit to dim my LEDs for running lights.

I'm also curious about the bumper you're making (I have the same trailer). Does it stick out farther than the fiberglass upper? Is it intended for rear impacts, or to mitigate reversing mistakes?

Thanks Scott ... that's what I figured!

Seeing as building your PWM circuit is way beyond my capabilities, I guess the LED strip will only function as an additional brake light.

The rear bumper is constructed of a pair of thin wall 1 1/2" x 3/4" tubing with some thin gauge metal strapping welded on the back side. Weight is roughly 6 lbs with the LED strip added and a couple coats of truck bed liner spray paint

It does sit a little proud of the top lip of the fiberglass camper body. I welded up a couple of mounting brackets on the rear of the bumper, which in turn are bolted on the innermost stabilizer jack mounting bolts It's main purpose besides dressing up the rear with extra light is to mitigate scratches/damage to the rear of the camper when reversing at a campsite and (mainly) to protect the rear when maneuvering it around in my cramped single car garage.

Dusty