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Led rear light woes.....
Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:00 pm
by box-doctor
I recently purchased a clear rear light lense from e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk:80/ws/eBayISAPI.d ... L:RTQ:UK:1 together with an Led bulb & a resistor which I need because my bike has ABS. The stuff came in a box that was ripped & damged inside a jiffy bag that had also seen better days - (we're off to a good start then

), anyway, I wasn't sure how & where the resistor fitted, so I contacted the seller who told me: conect the red wire to the brake light live & the black wire to earth, so I did. When I turned the ignition on it became the box was an omen....

the light comes on as it should, then after a few seconds (presumably after the ABS has done it's checks etc... the light get brighter - sort of in between the side light & the brake light, then when you use the brakes the light gets brighter still - but it's obviously not safe enough to be used on the road because the difference between the second brightness & the brake light isn't enough in sun light. However when I turn the ignition on & then use the brakes straight away everything is as it should be until the ABS does it's stuff & then we're back to square one....

So I have contacted the seller, he has given me an explanation which means absolutely nothing to me, he has offered to send me a red light bulb (which I am still waiting for), & inspect the led & resistor when I send them back ??????? Does anybody have a clue what's going on & what I should do -I really would like to fit the clear lense, but not at risk of being rear ended because the brake light can't be seen. Any help or advice would be gratefully received. Regards from the chubby one.
Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 11:03 pm
by Boxered
Do you have the led panel & clear lens?, or a replacement led Bulb?
I have the latter, but have consigned it to the bin, as it too was not giving a big enough difference between light on and braking, and was also intermittent in operation. looked nice though, but hey, I can't see it whilst riding
Steve
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 6:11 am
by box-doctor
Hi Steve - I have the replacement Led bulb. So you couldn't get yours to work correctly either? Regards Neil.
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 8:10 am
by Cobbster
Hi Box-doctor,
My mate had exactly the same rear light on his 11S. He eventually had to ditch the LED bulb because it was too heavy and used to work loose, his tail light looked like a disco when riding down the road.
Cheers, Cobbster.
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 8:36 am
by Boxered
So it wasn't just mine then, Oh well, I
might try an led panel instead of the bulb type, but then, I had no probs with bulbs blowing, so will probably stick with the "proven technology" and red lens
Steve
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 9:52 am
by throttlemeister
I have the LED panel from Nippy's and it is an excellent product. Easy and secure installation, very very bright and a lot safer imo due to the instant ON nature of LED (as opposed to the glow up/down from bulbs)
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 5:24 pm
by iandunn1100ss
I second that, great product if anyone hits you up the rear they must be blind!
ian
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 5:57 pm
by box-doctor
HHMMM - I just might ditch it then & stick with the red lense, but with the bike being silver & having clear indicators it just seems to finish the rear end nicely. I'll ponder this one over a pint or seven or Stella.

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 6:02 pm
by BMWBob
I'll third the LED panel from Nippy's. Excellent product
Regards Bob
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 7:21 pm
by box-doctor
Well I might just have to shell out £60 at nippy then if I decide I can't live without a clear rear

I've got to give the e-bay guy a chance to sort this first though.

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 7:36 pm
by throttlemeister
If you already have the clear lens, it's only £35 or £40, depending on if you have integral abs or not (servo assisted brakes). I'd say, dump the LED bulb & resistor, keep the lens and add the LED panel.
Personally, I also have the turn signal LED panels, they too are so bright to really attract attention.
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 8:49 pm
by ianc53
Another vote for the LED panel from Nippy Normans, not cheap but it works

and works very well
Cheers
Ian
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 9:34 pm
by box-doctor
O.k. I think Nippy Normans is going to get a call then & stuff the crap led bulb.... Time to cut my losses - another e-bay bargain......
