DIY LED XR650L blinkers, brake and headlight build

[pngaudioguy]

Thanks KyoXR. I definitely enjoy tinkering. I'd like to do the headlight as well, but my initial plan has it close to $200 before even getting an enclosure or anything, so that's on hold for the time being. In looking over these pictures, I realized that the pictures of the blinkers don't quite look right. The brightness difference isn't as great as it looks in these. Perhaps it's the wavelength, or the "insta-blink" effect, but I think the LED's actually catch your attention better. Either way, I have enough spare power off the stator for heated gear now .

[beechum1]

Originally Posted by pngaudioguy

Thanks KyoXR. I definitely enjoy tinkering. I'd like to do the headlight as well, but my initial plan has it close to $200 before even getting an enclosure or anything, so that's on hold for the time being. In looking over these pictures, I realized that the pictures of the blinkers don't quite look right. The brightness difference isn't as great as it looks in these. Perhaps it's the wavelength, or the "insta-blink" effect, but I think the LED's actually catch your attention better. Either way, I have enough spare power off the stator for heated gear now .

How hard would it be to add a "thing" to program flash patterns?

[pngaudioguy]

Programmable patterns would require a "programmable interface chip" or PIC for short, and the software and interface to program it. There may be pre-programmed IC's available with a variety of flash patterns. I haven't really looked into it, as I have minimal interest in that. One thing I did consider while designing this was something that included a burst of flashes before the brake went on solid (similar to what you often see on ambulance brake lights, etc). The circuit on the following site appears that it would do exactly that. Integrating it into my existing circuit would be a bit tricky.

http://www.redcircuits.com/Page146.htm


If that's the effect you're looking for, then the author of redcircuits also has an entire circuit on Page 165 that one could build without any modifications that does tail / brake + flash. SW1 would be taillight wire, SW2 brake wire. I haven't tested his design, but the theory is sound, and it appears to be a fairly elegant circuit.

If you're thinking more along the lines of selectable flash patterns like the Whelen TIR3/LIN3, etc, then I think you'll have to do some research (which is what I would also have to do.)

[Memnok]

I would love to see a circuit that left all 4 turn signals on in a low-power mode, then made them brighter (like a tail/brake light) when the turn signal is activated. I guess they could blink on and off when activated, but getting brighter like a fail/brake light seems a bit easier.

[pngaudioguy]

Memnok, that would be pretty cool. Unfortunately, with the way the XR650L is wired, I'm not sure how well that would work out in reality. I was a little concerned about the shared dark green wire in being able to accurately control the current going to the LED's from a central location. In theory it should work, but I'm mildly concerned about spurious spikes from the pulse generator, CDI, coil, etc. I know it's just a "common ground", but that's the reason I ended up throwing a current control in each blinker on my bike (at a cost of ~$1.50 each.) I wanted to make sure I didn't fry my LED's that were $4 each...

If you really want to give it a try, I've got an idea that might work. I'll sketch it up this evening after the in-laws leave, or maybe even while they're here if it gets too dull. If it looks like it'll work, I'll post up a schematic.

[pngaudioguy]

So I think this would work for glowing blinkers. It depends on having the individual current control at the blinker as the ones I've installed already have - which means I just might test this out if I get bored at work again. Haha. There's a diode to keep this circuit from filtering back into the rest of the bike, and two more to keep the blinkers from cross-feeding into each other. Theoretically, this should allow all four blinkers to glow at the same brightness as the taillight whenever the headlight circuit is on. When you activate a turn signal, that side then receives full power through the normal system, and blinks normally. I believe that the opposite side will remain glowing.

If used with the LED blinker setup I've used here, I think you'd want more heatsinking on the LED's, because the little corner bracket might not cut it for continuous operation, even at reduced power. I'm perfectly happy with the amount of heatsink given that as blinkers, they seem to only be on at about a 30% duty cycle, and that only when I'm turning a corner or changing lanes.

If this works with LED's, it should also work with normal bulbs, though the resistor would have to be adjusted to allow more current, as the 50mA current this is set at would not do a whole lot for regular bulbs, I don't think, and you'd probably want to heatsink the MOSFET as a precaution. Keep in mind each set of bulbs will get whatever current it's set at since they're configured in parallel.

[Kamala]

I just stumbled across this thread. Really clever and well thought out stuff PNG-A-G. You'd be a force to reckon with in the DS conversion business. Looks like you are quite a few years ahead of the competition already. Well done!

[pngaudioguy]

Thanks Kamala. From previous discussions, I know you're just down the street - literally. We really should meet up at some point before I head across the pond. I'm really happy with how the blinkers and brake are performing. I've noticed that cars stop just a little further back at lights, which is good enough for me. Those LED's are frickin' annoyingly bright from straight behind. Which is exactly what I was going for, of course. Instant response, longer life, and lower power draw are just bonus points. A living biker is a happy biker.

[Bronco638]

I need to attach a heat sink to my regulator/rectifier on my '89 Honda VTR250 (Honda did not provide a heat sink enclosure for some reason). I've seen owners use thermal paste between the two but you still need to keep the heat sink fastened to the reg./rec. (using zip-ties). You mentioned thermal epoxy when you bonded the LEDs to the heat sink (for the tail light).

Could you tell me what thermal epoxy you used and where you sourced it? Thanks.

[pngaudioguy]

Arctic Silver Alumina Thermal Adhesive
I got it from newegg.

[Bronco638]

Thanks!

[mhking]

hey everyone so i just put led lights for my blinkers and they worked great....... UNTIL i put the last LED in and now all 4 flashers flash. what is causing this and does anyone know how i can fix it???? thanks.

[pngaudioguy]

I see Mr. Spud over on the XRL thread answered your question. If anyone else comes here looking for that answer, turns out the light bulb indicator on the "dash" of the XR650L creates a short circuit between left and right, causing all four blinkers to go when you initially install LED flashers.

I've got my indicator bulb out for this reason, but you can also wire diodes in line to remedy the situation if you need the dash indicator. I find that I see my blinkers reflecting off everything, so don't really need the dash anyway.

Though, this did just give me an idea that I could wire a switch to have hazards...