I recently decided to upgrade my Turn Signals to LEDs, and I had to figure out the best way to avoid the "Fast Blink" you get with the stock flasher relay due to the LED's lack of "Load". One way is to put on Load Equalizers.. which adds a " load to the circuit and fools the stock relay into acting normally. I dont like these as they just use extra juice to create heat.. wasteful, and you have to careful where you mount them as they can get very HOT under extended use.

My solution was to go with an inexpensive Variable Load Flasher Relay from Custom LED (Model# ELFR-1).. purchased from Custom Dynamics. This flasher has only two wires, and is very easy to hook into the stock flasher connection.

You will need the following:

wire cutters / strippers
2 male spade connectors

Prep the new Flasher Relay by cutting of the 3-pin connector it comes with, strip a 1/4" of wire and crimping on a male spade to each wire.

Pull off the right side cover, and the stock flasher relay is behind the bracket there (at least on my 03 Roadie).. it is easy to track down the relay by listening for click when the flasher is on.. if you have trouble finding it.

If you would like to test the circuits, use a multimeter or even a light tester on the various wires on the back of the stock flasher connecter to determine which is a constant "Hot" and which one is the intermittent with the flashers turned on.

1. Disconnect the stock flasher relay.

2. Connect the Red wire on the new flasher to the constant "hot" in the stock connector. (Brown wire on my 03 Roadie)

3. Connect the Black wire on the new flasher to the intermittent "hot" in the stock connector (Brown / White wire on my 03 Roadie)

4. Turn the ignition to on and turn on sigals and make sure they work properly

5. Mount the new flasher relay using zip ties, or tape.. where you wish behind the right side cover (I zip tied it to the rubber mount for the old flasher)

This is a lot cleaner than going with multiple Load Equalizers...but the new relay will run you about $20.00 or so.



(The spade connectors are both inserted into the top row in this picture)<br><br>Post edited by: cgipson1, at: 2006/08/02 15:06

Thanks for the write-up.

I chose to just wire in two large resistors but you are correct - the electrical load is the same as regular bulbs and the resistors get real hot.

For $20 I'll have to check it out.

Doc

Hi, cgipson1

I also have 2003 R* and interested in converting to LED's.

With the new flasher relay, do the lights blink at the same speed as the stock relay?

Can you tell me where you got the LED lights for your turn signals, what colors are they, if you can give me the item description and or part numbers that would be helpful.

Thanks,
Mike in San Jose, CA
03 Mocha Star

Hey MochaStar,

The LEDs blink just tiny bit faster than stock... but that is this particular flasher doing that. There are some other Flasher Relays available that will allow you to customize the blink rate, and pattern. Pretty neat.. and just a little more expensive.

I used the Radiantz Retrofitz LED modules that fit the RoadStar.. I used amber in the front, and red in the rear. I also installed clear lenses as they transmit more light than the colored ones (and I like the way they look). I also converted the rear turn signals to 1157 sockets...so I could wire them as running lights also. The Retrofitz have dual intensity LEDs in the 1157 style. They also make them in the standard 1156 (rear) style. Eventually I want to install the Signal Dynamics Tri-Star unit that will convert my turn signals to Brake light use also. I am paranoid about rear visibility (long story)!

http://www.customdynamics.com/yamaha_turn_signal_retro.htm

I also did the Radiantz Retrofit for the Taillight.. nice and bright.

http://www.customdynamics.com/Yamaha_tail_retro.htm

The Flashers are at:

http://www.customdynamics.com/trick_flasher.htm

hope that helps...

Charlie in Woodland Park, CO - 03 Midnight Star<br><br>Post edited by: cgipson1, at: 2006/08/02 20:06

Hello Doc,

I had a buddy who melted holes in his seatpan using resistors / load equalizers. I also just hate wasting the electricity... how is that for ANAL? ! The LEDs pull something like a 1/4 watt or so... so it frees up more juice for other toys.

Charlie
Woodland Park CO - 03 Midnight Roadstar

cgipson1 wrote:
Hello Doc,

I had a buddy who melted holes in his seatpan using resistors / load equalizers. I also just hate wasting the electricity... how is that for ANAL? ! The LEDs pull something like a 1/4 watt or so... so it frees up more juice for other toys.

Charlie
Woodland Park CO - 03 Midnight Roadstar

I believe I have two 25W resistors, one for each turnsignal, attached to the A pillar. They get real hot but there's nothing there to burn but paint.

Doc

I finally finished the LED install today... and while I was at it, got rid of the Moustache on the rear. I went with a Cobra License plate frame that has built in mounts for the stock turn signals. Looks good...and what is really cool.. I hid all of the wiring behind the stock tail light assembly (between it and the fender) .. you cant see any wires at all and they are protected more than they would have been if I had just left them under the fender. Took a little patience! .

I now have rear running lights.. and they are pretty bright! The turn signals will wake'em up behind you also. I also installed a Back-off License plate frame.. (yes.. as I said above.. I WANT to be seen!)



Charlie <br><br>Post edited by: cgipson1, at: 2006/08/04 23:38

I'm tearing my hair out trying to find the flasher relay and I've been unable. All I can find on the web are the wiring diagrams and instructions. Since you were able to do this, is there any chance you can post a picture of the location of the flasher relay? I've taken the cover off and, while there's lots of stuff and connectors in there, I can't find the relay.

My flashers work so infrequently that I'm left with hand signals most of the time. I have the parts, just need to install and need someone to point me to the flasher relay!

Thanks in advance!

Under the right side cover you will find two relays ... one is the fuel pump and the other is the flasher.

If you disconnect one at a time you'll find what you want quick enough.

Doc