Advice on lighting. By Big Al (Read 786 times)

[Big Al]

This will be kind of a multiple question sort of thing. My wife's magnum came with those cheesy reflectors on the fender which I want to replace with functional lights. Perusing the forums I remember seeing a thread around here where someone DID add lights to the fender and I cannot seem to locate that thread. But if I remember correctly, even that thread did not answer all my questions.

The area I want to mount the lights in is the same area occupied by the reflectors now. Each side is an flat oval area roughly 4" by 2".

First, I need to find a source for this type of lighting. I prefer to have dual red so that one bulb will run the brake and tail and the other the signal.

Next I need to know if the current draw would be too much and if I would need a load equalizer.

Perhaps a link, info, or suggestion if anyone has any. TIA

[Alleyoop]

Big Al,
The Draw will not be a problem, Is you can see on my Ice Bear I have a Trunk that has lights on it. The top lights up as running lights when you put on the lights, they light up in seq from center out three at a time and then all come on when I squeeze the brake. The turnsignals are on the Trunk on each side as well. You can also change out your current stop lights and turn signals to LEDS they make huge difference in brightness. I changed all of my Lights even the instrument panel with LEDS. The only lights that are not LEDS on mine are the Headlights because I do not drive at night so do not need the extra brightness. Changing to all LEDS will save you quite a bit of AMPS and they also last longer as well and help with your charging system.
Alleyoop

[Big Al]

Thanks, I think I will go with LED's then. On my Harley adding LED's requires a load equalizer so the scooter sounds like it will be easy and straight forward. What I'm think now is adding amber LED's in the area currently occupied with the reflectors and using them as turn signals, then mount something below those for tail/brakes. Which leads to another question. Normally I would use a dual bulb to achieve this, but I'm not sure what is available for the LED's. How does an LED achieve a brighter light when the brake is engaged?

[Alleyoop]

It will not be a problem all you will have to do is splice into the stop lighting wires and they will come on when you brake and or just having the running lights on. That is how my trunk is wire they are spliced into the stop lights running lights and turn signal lights. You will notice that TWO different HOT wires are going to your STOP lights one is just for your running lights and the other is when you squeeze the brakes. What I think is when you squeeze the brakes 12v are feed directly to the lights to brighten them up.
Alleyoop

[Triker98304]

Big Al,
Check out the taillight I added on my 150-9 trike. I mounted the license plate down on the flat area, of the rear of the trike. I used lighted license plate bolts to light up that area. The two red dots in the picture are license plate bolt reflectors where the original license plate was mounted. The tail, turn brake light fit the flat area above the license plate @ 2" x 4". I had to install an adapter to separate the running and brake lights. The adapter is like you use wiring the metric car for towing a trailer. The plug for my trailer branches off that section of wiring. Now the back of my trike is visible at night. If you have any questions pm me. Have a great ride...Triker98304

Attachments: