Backoffxp brakelight modulator install problem

[Tallpaul]

Please help, totally confused here#!=$×
I ride a 2000 GW SE, and have raised the seat, found the elusive green/red wire, tested it with a probe. Tried hooking up the modulator and my trunk led wing lights go out, and break lights do not flash. I have tried using red/white stripe wire and or white/red stripe wire,. Also, I have a good ground. Nothing works. Any suggestions???

[Dusty Boots]

How are you wanting the unit to flash ... constantly? ... or the 4 -5 flashes and then solid brake?

[Tallpaul]

4 or 5 flashes then solid on would be fine. I called their customer service by the way, and was told by the it tech that sence I had 4 break lights on my bike, the co would not support this, unotherwise, take out 2 bulbs?. What I would most love to have is just the trunk spoiler less flashing when I stop. Is this do able? Fyi, there are just 2 wires that seem to be going up to spoiler lights.

[Dusty Boots]

Ha .... the 1 you tube clip they used to feature (after they asked my permission) with the 4 lights flashing was my bike and I have had no issues since installing it back in 09!
As a matter of fact, I added some LED strips a few years later, still no issues! ....


[youtube]

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This photo essay may help you out, but I do not have a spoiler light.


Dusty

[Tallpaul]

Ok Dusty. Thanks we,ll give it another try.

[Bluewaterhooker0]

I put a Back-Off on my '97 a couple of years ago. Mine is wired to do the FLASH then ON with the 4 main brake lights, and it also FLASHES then REPEATS on the spoiler light. I read about the issue of controlling more than 3 - 1157 bulbs, but did it anyway, as there was some debate as to the actual amperage draw from 4 - 1157 bulbs. After about 6 - 8 months, I did have an issue with the module not flashing, but worse, it intermittently left me with no brake lights at all. I sent it back to SD and they tested it, unable to find a problem. When I got it back, I tested it and also could not duplicate the problem. By then, I had purchased another Back-Off, and had since converted all my 1157 bulbs to LED. I thought maybe the overload caused the problem. Anyway, I installed the old unit in my son-in-laws bike, a VTX1800, and he has had no problems since. It is a great unit, except for the one issue I had , that one time. Since testing didn't repeat the issue, I have concluded I must have had a loose wire somewhere in the original install, as it continues to work on his bike to this day. My newer unit with the LEDs has worked well, and flawlessly. The LED conversion is as simple as swapping bulbs, inexpensive ($30), and you have the benifit of a much crisper light switching speed, and greatly reduced amperage draw on the electrical system. I got the LEDs from Wally World. Apparently, not all stores carry them, but they can be had online. They are just as bright in both modes as the original 1157 bulbs, and cause no issues with turn signals or cruise SET or CANCELLATION.

http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Automotive- ... B00GI77IEA

Be sure to get the RED bulbs for the red fixtures. LED bulbs always need to be the same color as the lens for maximum light transmission.
I also added additional LED running and brake lights to the main circuit. They all flash with the main brake lights. A real attention getter. I have since, also added a Simpro light fixture around the license tag for additional running and brake lighting, plus duplicate turn signals in the clear part of the Simpro. I bought it used, as they no longer make them. It is also all LED.

[NVSB4]

Welcome to the forum Paul.
Hope you get these working.

[Tallpaul]

Ok Bluewaterhooker0, thanks for the info and the pictures. Looks like I got some more shopping to do, 4 red led 1157 bulbs! I am looking forward to getting this project completed and with good results!

[bill55]

Do your self a favor and do not get the LED bulbs from walmart, the "pilot automotive" brand is cheap, 2 for $15. The problem is you get cheap LED's. I bought the 1157's and 1156's for my 82 GW. 1st to go in and test were the 2 front turn signals. One bulb, only half of the bulb worked, second bulb did not work at all, the third one started smoking when I turn the key on, the 4th one did work. The 4 1157 and 2 1156 cost me $47 and change. I didn't even try the 1156's,I took them all back to walmart. Went online to "superbrite led and bought the 6 bulbs I needed and it cost me $81 and change. I learned my lesson, if you buy cheap, you get cheap.

[Tallpaul]

Yea, I have a feeling you are correct sir. Although I like to save money when I can, it seems reguarding motorcycling, like boating, things cost just more. I imagine the voltage variations and rough ride, temperature changes all factor in. I am also looking at some $20 red blinking led bulbs, wondering if a couple of these in my trunk wouldn't give me the desired effect? Any thoughts?

[Bluewaterhooker0]

Do your self a favor and do not get the LED bulbs from walmart, the "pilot automotive" brand is cheap, 2 for $15. The problem is you get cheap LED's. I bought the 1157's and 1156's for my 82 GW. 1st to go in and test were the 2 front turn signals. One bulb, only half of the bulb worked, second bulb did not work at all, the third one started smoking when I turn the key on, the 4th one did work. The 4 1157 and 2 1156 cost me $47 and change. I didn't even try the 1156's,I took them all back to walmart. Went online to "superbrite led and bought the 6 bulbs I needed and it cost me $81 and change. I learned my lesson, if you buy cheap, you get cheap.

I've had those same bulbs (1157) in my bike for 1.5 years now, with no problems. I didn't try any 1156's in the blinkers because of the rapid flashing issue associated with LEDs. I bought and tried the Pilots from Walmart specifically because they could be returned if they didn't work well. Maybe something has changed over that time, but I have to remind you that, whatever the source, you're getting Chinese product, because it's all coming from there these days. That was my logic, anyway. I have 4 of them in my tail lights, and installed another in my son-in-laws bike a few months back. That's all I can tell you. Paying more, doesn't necessarily get you more, when buying products that are all manufactured in China.

[Tallpaul]

Just an up date. Against everyone's suggestions, I installed 2 1157 Pilot led from WM. Also ran a direct ground to my battery, connected the wires as directed on my back off xp, and low and behold, it works like a charm! Would send you pictures if I could figure out how to do that! Thanks everyone

[spiralout]

Would send you pictures if I could figure out how to do that! Thanks everyone

Pic tutorial here

[Solina Dave]

This thread caught my attention since I just spent a couple of hours installing a BackOff XP (wired Mode #2) on my '78 GL1000. It seems to be working very well, and I really can't understand why I hadn't done it years ago. For many years I was always thinking, "that's a good idea", but I just never got around to it. I read a customer feedback review, and the guy said that he had it installed in 10 minutes. No he didn't!!
The unit's rated 10 amps, and I've got 3 x 1157s connected. An 1157 draws 2 amps plus, so once you're up to 4 or more you're pushing it, unless you install LEDs. I might add a couple of strips like Dusty installed. That looks really good, and it'll also give me something to do.
I'm just curious, if anyone knows. Are there Goldwings on the market that are factory equipped with modulating brakelights, or are even available as an optional extra? Maybe on some of the new ones that I can't afford anyway!

Stop safely.................................Dave

[Dennis613l]

Highly recommended install, I doddled on doing it for a few years.
Did it right away when I was rear ended a couple years ago on the bike sitting at a stop light by a young lady on cell phone. She didn't see me supposedly.
Always kept an eye on the mirrors when stopped, just not that one particular time, now I can blip the brakes a few extra times until sure person coming up behind actually sees me.

[Solina Dave]

Highly recommended install, I doddled on doing it for a few years.
Did it right away when I was rear ended a couple years ago on the bike sitting at a stop light by a young lady on cell phone. She didn't see me supposedly.
Always kept an eye on the mirrors when stopped, just not that one particular time, now I can blip the brakes a few extra times until sure person coming up behind actually sees me.

The same with me Dennis. I got rear ended sitting on my bike at a stop light, and that time it was caused by a drunken woman rear ending the van that was stopped behind me. No injuries to me, but the bike was not near as lucky. That was 38 years ago. And then I got rear ended in my car, again at a stop light, and I was laid up for over six months. Nearly died that time. That was 31 years ago. I only just now installed the BackOff XP modulator. How dumb is that Dave? Doh!

[dnt13]

Installed a cheap GS100-A modulator on 2000 GL1500 SE today (less than $5 bucks on amazon!). Works like a charm! I took the left saddle bag off and tapped into the green/yellow wire before the relay under there (see photo). It's pretty tight and you don't have much slack wore to work with but it turned out great and I'm very happy with the results! It flashes the spoiler LED brake light only .... fast four times, then slow four times before staying on solid brake light. Exactly what I wanted! Along with the headlight modulator, this is one of the best safety mods we can do! Two thumbs up!

[WingAdmin]

Installed a cheap GS100-A modulator on 2000 GL1500 SE today (less than $5 bucks on amazon!). Works like a charm! I took the left saddle bag off and tapped into the green/yellow wire before the relay under there (see photo). It's pretty tight and you don't have much slack wore to work with but it turned out great and I'm very happy with the results! It flashes the spoiler LED brake light only .... fast four times, then slow four times before staying on solid brake light. Exactly what I wanted! Along with the headlight modulator, this is one of the best safety mods we can do! Two thumbs up!

I did the exact same thing to my 2000 GL1500 SE.

[eagle1wing]

Tall Paul, I had the same issue installing the Back Off XP on my 2012 GL1800. The kit will only support 10 amps and running the kit from the wire under the seat exceeds that because of the multiple lights. Here is what I did:
Remove both tail lights from the bike. Three 8mm acorn nuts hold them on from inside the trunk.
There are 2 lights in the housing, the brake light is the outer most bulb. Two wires come out of the brake light, one power (same color as under the seat) and the other is the ground. There is no need to remove the bulbs.
Run pig tails from the kit power wire, mode wire and ground wire to BOTH brake lights
See where the 2 brake wires run down the plastic tube-like channel. From inside the trunk, drill a 1/4 in hole in the channel and run the kit wire lights thru it up to the brake light wires. Run the kit wires to the other brake light. Open the trunk/saddlebag actuator panel on the back wall of the trunk and run the wires thru it to the other brake light. Drill a hole in that side too for the kit wires.
There is some slack in the brake light wire, so you can pull them up to give yourself more wire to work with.
Tap into the brake light power and ground wires on both left and right brake lights, following the kit instructions for the power and mode wires. Tape all kit wires with electrical tape.
There is a recessed space inside the trunk, in the corner directly underneath the tail light. Use the double sided tape from the Back Off kit to affix the Back Off device to the roof of that recessed area.
The Back Off device is out of the way and will not get in the way of trunk contents. The wires that run thru the panel will not interfere with the lock operation.
Good luck.

[thrasherg]

I installed the BackoffXP on my 1800 and even with all the fancy little lights on the panniers, it doesn't draw anything close to 10 amps, what lights have you added to your wing? If the current is too high you could just mount a relay, have the output of the BackoffXP drive the relay and the relay then switches the 12Volts to your lights. My gold wing has 2 brake lights (42 watts) and then 21 watts of additional LED lighting, so total power draw is ~64 watts which is just over 5 amps.. I too have it setup to flash 4 times and then stay on solid, don't know if it really helps from a safety point of view, but I am 100% it doesn't harm so I am happy with it!!

Gary

[CrystalPistol]

Mine on both the 1200 bike and 1500 trike work perfectly, they both are wired in using the pigtails / wires to the travel trunk only. I like my lower brake lights to come on and stay on as brake lights have historically done and as many drivers are accustomed to see them.

[spiralout]

Mine on both the 1200 bike and 1500 trike work perfectly, they both are wired in using the pigtails / wires to the travel trunk only. I like my lower brake lights to come on and stay on as brake lights have historically done and as many drivers are accustomed to see them.

Thanks for bumping this thread. I'm installing this brake flasher today and was having trouble locating the spoiler control module. This thread had the best pic of it and it's location.

[victory2honda]

Backoff does not work with L.E.D. lights

[Bluewaterhooker0]

The standard Back Off module cannot handle LEDs, they require the Back Off XP. My Back Off XP powers nothing but LEDS with no problem.