Fitting LED indicators - what needs to be done about relays?

I think I have decided I'd quite like some led mini indicators on my 2003 pointy. I've had a look at the bolts holding the current indicators on and it looks easy enough to swap them, searching these forums suggests I'll need some Indy spacers too which I can deal with.

But I've also seen mentioned that to get them to flash at the right frequency (or something else, I can't remember) you need to fit or change the relay. Now I don't know much about electrics but I am pretty good at following instructions - does anyone have any or know where some are (perhaps in an old thread that my search didn't bring up?)

What does the relay do? Is it difficult to do? Doi have to buy it separately to the indicators and if so where do I get one from and how much does it cost?

Is there anything else I should be aware of when wiring in led indicators?

Thanks

[DarrenSV650S]

I got a universal indicator relay from halfords and followed this

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=84870

[maviczap]

For LED's you need resistors not relays, just plugs into the line with a spade connector

I bought Oxford Nano's which came with resistors supplied, plus instructions, piece of cake to do.

Don't buy cheapo LED's

[DarrenSV650S]

Originally Posted by maviczap

For LED's you need resistors not relays, just plugs into the line with a spade connector

I bought Oxford Nano's which came with resistors supplied, plus instructions, piece of cake to do.

Don't buy cheapo LED's

You can do it with resistors or by replacing the stock relay. Personally I think the relay method is neater and means you don't have burning hot resistors.

i would go for the relay method too (and i did). much better in my opinion!

I wouldn't have thought that the resistors getting hot would be that much of a problem they'd only heat up when your drawing current through them and thats only when your indicators are on, maybe if you left your indicators on for a long time. The relay method is the neatest though

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by skithepowder

I think I have decided I'd quite like some led mini indicators on my 2003 pointy. I've had a look at the bolts holding the current indicators on and it looks easy enough to swap them, searching these forums suggests I'll need some Indy spacers too which I can deal with.

But I've also seen mentioned that to get them to flash at the right frequency (or something else, I can't remember) you need to fit or change the relay. Now I don't know much about electrics but I am pretty good at following instructions - does anyone have any or know where some are (perhaps in an old thread that my search didn't bring up?)

What does the relay do? Is it difficult to do? Doi have to buy it separately to the indicators and if so where do I get one from and how much does it cost?

Is there anything else I should be aware of when wiring in led indicators?

Thanks

Guys, you missed the OP point that this chap doesn't know much about electrics. Ok the relay method is better, but if he bought Oxford or similar, then the instructions come with the product making the job easy

[DarrenSV650S]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Guys, you missed the OP point that this chap doesn't know much about electrics. Ok the relay method is better, but if he bought Oxford or similar, then the instructions come with the product making the job easy

I didn't miss it. I put up that link which tells you exactly how to do it


skithepowder, if you want the easiest method to install, get the LED indicators that come with resistors. If you want the best method, get the relay

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by DarrenSV650S

I didn't miss it. I put up that link which tells you exactly how to do it


skithepowder, if you want the easiest method to install, get the LED indicators that come with resistors. If you want the best method, get the relay

Oops sorry, didn't click on your linky Darren

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by maviczap

For LED's you need resistors not relays, just plugs into the line with a spade connector

I bought Oxford Nano's which came with resistors supplied, plus instructions, piece of cake to do.

Don't buy cheapo LED's

Originally Posted by DarrenSV650S

You can do it with resistors or by replacing the stock relay. Personally I think the relay method is neater and means you don't have burning hot resistors.

+1 on relay being better than resistors.

As for the "its only a hot sometimes" argument - well why risk it.