How to wire LED lights

[Goldwinger55]

Hello Forum:

I've searched the archives of other forums and this probably has been addressed but don't seem to get the straight forward answer I'm seeking. I'm wiring my '04 1800 Wing for the first time w/LED strips for visibility on the front, sides and possibly rear. (will have plenty left over for the trailer)

The best scenario would have lights mounted with connectors to unplug in case of maintenance, breakdowns, etc. My plans are to have 3 or 4 on each side with its own connection to main electrical connections.

I have three rolls of 10 mm silicone covered. single color of 5 meters I wish to cut into specific lengths. They have bare wires but I have plug connectors on order but none are plug and play. However, I don't know where to connect the strips from each side to have voltage. But it would be nice to connect some to turn signal as most will be running lights.

My questions are:
Should they be connected to the ignition, switch, or a harness on the bike?
What other items will I need for example a relay? My bike doesn't have LED lights at the moment but will convert.
What type of harness or harnesses to will I need to connect them to the bike or splice them to one?
Where is the best place to run/hide the wires?
Can someone maybe send me links/videos to review?

I know I'm asking a lot but I want to install them right the first time!

Thanks

[wingpilot08]

Where are you wiring the LED's on the front? I had added side emitting amber and white LED strips around my headlight to give "eyebrows. The LED's were connected into the mirror lights to allow for the white to be running light and then turn amber when the turn signals go on. Waituntilthebeep did a really nice write up on how to install in the DYI section:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=34845 "adding eyebrows"

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=31201 "adding LED lights"

viewtopic.php?t=35911 "more lighting info"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162060290493?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT "side emitting amber/white LED's for eyebrows"

In the DYI section there are a couple more how-to's for LED installation. Since LED's draw very little current, you can install directly on existing light connections.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN ... H7ueyAk2LI LED light added to mirror video

I am big on adding LED's to the Wing...visibility to me is paramount!

Keep in mind that LEDs are polarity sensitive unlike incandescent bulbs. +12 and ground must be correct for them to work! Also, IF you put LED behind a red or amber lens, the LED's should match the color! If you put a WHITE LED behind a RED lens, the color will come out pinkish. Match the colors.

[Goldwinger55]

Thank you very much for the quick reply in the links!
My plan is to LEDs around the front garnish and the headlights and some over the front fender as a well as long the sides above the engine and at the back toward the saddlebags.

If I can get them to work I'd like to finish the accent on my trailer also concentrating on sides and rear for visibility. Also want to mount some on the top grab rails high up for additional visibility. You and I are alike as visibility is also Paramount to me.

[wingpilot08]

If i can be of any help...just pm me!

[wing rider 2012]

I built my own harness for the LED's on my bike. Each LED string has it own connector to allow for removal if needed. My LED strings are RGB which require 4 wires per string. Mine are powered from the fuse box accy fuse to a 3 switch assembly mounted on the hand brake master cylinder. http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/black_l ... /120/20313

[wingpilot08]

We had similar tastes in bikes...I also owned a 1987 Venture XVZ-1300 (loved that bike) and a 1996 GL1500-SE (Pearl White, sold with 210,000 (s)miles!)

[Goldwinger55]

If i can be of any help...just pm me!

I certainly thank you for the offer! I'll take you up on the offer as I have the strips and wires laid out with the seat off!

[M61A1MECH]

Here is a link to a gizmo that could be of use to you, I saw it for the first time today over on another GL site, looks like it could be very useful. I would say you could also use it as an isolator for a trailer also.
http://wingstuff.com/products/37527-uni ... use_blocks

[Goldwinger55]

Hello Steve calling you mine thank you very much for the link. I have now ordered that electronic fuse block. I am now wiring my trailer and bike which already has an isolator for it.

WingStuff is out of the electronic fuse blocks cause they are back-ordered. I did find one actually on eBay for $40. It should be in by mid next week.

[Hoosier Jack]

Here is a link to a gizmo that could be of use to you, I saw it for the first time today over on another GL site, looks like it could be very useful. I would say you could also use it as an isolator for a trailer also.
http://wingstuff.com/products/37527-uni ... use_blocks

That is one clever deal. I'm going to order one.

[Wilcoy02]

here is the one review on it.


Rolling Eyes leds

the hot and ground wires on the re controller are at least 14 ga way too large for the tiny connection points on this fuse block. 18ga is about the largest it will take.
connections are not very secure. screw heads are micro, slotted and straight.

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[Goldwinger55]

I was wondering. Hope I don't encounter those issues.