Custom Dynamics Light Questions!!!!!

[polygonguy]

To make a long story short, I just installed a few Custom Dynamics Lights on my 2012 RT. On the front fender, I have the TIPS, amber brightsides, and the magic channels over the fenders. They worked great. THEN I installed the rear brake light on the top of the back trunk (All-In-One brake/running/turn signal LED light). It also works great, BUT the turn signal now blinks somewhat randomly...quick then normal, then quick...and sometimes all normal. I did have to extend the lead ( about 16 inches) from the brake light to the left turn wire for the brake light.....it wasn't quite long enough, and used a bit smaller guage wire there. I haven't tried to swap out the extension with same size wire yet. Should I...wonder if the resistance may be causing havoc with the flasher? DO I need to use a bigger flasher? if so, where to get one? Any help would be great! P.S. the brightness on these lights kick!!!! Although, I hate the random blinking crap! Please help! Thanks in advance!

 

[bruiser]

Possible different size wire will cause the issue. Make sure all connections are tight.

 

[zamfield]

You probably need to recalibrate the signals.
Turn the key... Press & hold the hazard button until the dash lights flash (about 30 secs).
Turn the hazards off and then turn in the left or right signal then turn the key off.
Repeat for the left or right signal.

 

[metman]

Disconnect the turn and maybe the running light feature for the high mount brake light, at least the turn function. Although mine is the earlier version that can only be wired as running and/or brake light, I chose to wire mine as a brake light only. That way it is much more noticeable to those behind me when I hit the brakes. IMHO, going from nothing to bright on the HMT gets their attention more easily than say dim (running) to bright (brake). The key thing is that they see us.

But wired as running lights should have nothing to do with your erratic flashing.

I had a similar problem on my '12 RT-S when I added the saddle bag lights. Disconnecting the turn signal function on them corrected my erratic flashing. I'm not sure the recalibrate procedure mentioned by zamfield will work on a 2012. It didn't on mine.

If you want to really improve turn signal visibility, add the mud flap lights. Those lights and the high mount brake light should be on all RT's, IMHO.

Mike in KY

 

[Ben Burped]

Try again with the correct wire size and clean connections.

 

[jcthorne]

Its not the wire size and you cannot re calibrate the turn signal current on 2013 and older bikes.

The problem is with the turn signal circuit in the new high mount brake light. It does not work with the electronics on the RT. Get the one without the turn signals or just disconnect the turn signal circuit from your bike.

 

[finless]

Its not the wire size and you cannot re calibrate the turn signal current on 2013 and older bikes.

The problem is with the turn signal circuit in the new high mount brake light. It does not work with the electronics on the RT. Get the one without the turn signals or just disconnect the turn signal circuit from your bike.

Or add a resisitor to the turn signal wires at the HMT light.
Start with 100 ohm and go up from there until it starts blinking correctly. From your description of fast, slow, fast, your close so again try 100 ohm to start. FYI it will dim the HMT turn signal lights a little.

I had this happen on my 2011 when I added the behind the mirror turn signals AND also having the front fender / rear saddle bag turn signals. 100 ohm resistor worked for me and I added them to ONLY the light circuit for the mirrors.

Bob

 

[ThreeWheels]

Or add a resisitor to the turn signal wires at the HMT light.
Start with 100 ohm and go up from there until it starts blinking correctly. From your description of fast, slow, fast, your close so again try 100 ohm to start. FYI it will dim the HMT turn signal lights a little.

I had this happen on my 2011 when I added the behind the mirror turn signals AND also having the front fender / rear saddle bag turn signals. 100 ohm resistor worked for me and I added them to ONLY the light circuit for the mirrors.

Bob

I would be guided by this man's advice.

 

[polygonguy]

Or add a resisitor to the turn signal wires at the HMT light.
Start with 100 ohm and go up from there until it starts blinking correctly. From your description of fast, slow, fast, your close so again try 100 ohm to start. FYI it will dim the HMT turn signal lights a little.

I had this happen on my 2011 when I added the behind the mirror turn signals AND also having the front fender / rear saddle bag turn signals. 100 ohm resistor worked for me and I added them to ONLY the light circuit for the mirrors.

Bob

Bob, Where can I get a resistor? Any auto store? And do they get hot? I heard they get really hot....

 

[polygonguy]

UPDATE: I talked with Custom Dynamics techs...they said that they are having a problem with some of the electronics on some models/years with urn signals on that HMT. they are finding some fixes for some years but not mine yet. He wanted me to disconnect the turn signals on the HMT and see if the other turn signals work properly. I told him I thought they would, as I installed front amber brightsides, magic channels, and mud flaps LEDs with TIPS on the fenders FIRST and they all worked great with the turn signals. So....I tore it apat tonight and disconnected....worked great. I willl just leave them disconnected for now cuz it looks like a farmer installed them the other way LMAO....not that there is anything wrong with a farmer !Now I wish I would have gotten the original brake light with a dual conversion for running/brake lights. I told them that..maybe they'll send me some for my troubles..I won't hold my breath..

 

[finless]

Bob, Where can I get a resistor? Any auto store? And do they get hot? I heard they get really hot....

Sorry for the delay in responding. Too busy yesterday.
Yes you can use a 1/4 watt resister and get it an any electronics store or even radio shack.
It will not get hot trust me.

Also based on your other post what has happened is all the other lights you added now reduced the total resistance and the cluster thinks a turn signal bulb is burned out (on each side). Adding the resister to ONLY one set of lights should help. You don't have to add them to the HMT but try it on a easier one like the fender or one of the other turn lights you added. You just need to bring the resistance up a so the cluster doesnt thinka bulb is out.

Bob

 

[polygonguy]

If only these were like cars.... could just put in a bigger flasher!

Sorry for the delay in responding. Too busy yesterday.
Yes you can use a 1/4 watt resister and get it an any electronics store or even radio shack.
It will not get hot trust me.

Also based on your other post what has happened is all the other lights you added now reduced the total resistance and the cluster thinks a turn signal bulb is burned out (on each side). Adding the resister to ONLY one set of lights should help. You don't have to add them to the HMT but try it on a easier one like the fender or one of the other turn lights you added. You just need to bring the resistance up a so the cluster doesnt thinka bulb is out.

Bob

 

[NorCalBud]

Similar issue- Any Advice Available?

I have a similar issue with LED lights and could use some advice because electricity is my nemesis! I've never been able to fully grasp the concepts...
I already had installed the HMT Run/Brake light a few weeks back and the mirror lights a week ago...all good. But yesterday I installed: Front Fender Tips & Kit, Front Mud Flap LEDs, Amber Brightsides, Tri-color Magicflex Channelz (all run/signal).
I was getting the fast blink until I disconnected the mirror LEDs and now they work properly. I've still got to install the Red Brightsides to the Bags and would like them to blink as well.
Any idea what/where I should put a resistor (size?) or whatever to get the mirrors back and the bag lights working too?
(I've bought an RGB halo kit to install too, but doesn't that go on another circuit?)

 

[Cruzr Joe]

This might help .................... It will only take 2 minutes to try it. To everyone that says it won't work .................. it does on some model years and it cost nothing to try it.


Here is how to reset your flashers/turn signals

1 - Turn key on

2 - Press and hold hazard button for 30 seconds

3 - Your cluster will flash one time near the end of 30 seconds.

4 - Your flashers and turn signals will be reset and should work properly :thumbup:

Let us know if it works.

Cruzr Joe

 

[NorCalBud]

This might help .................... It will only take 2 minutes to try it. To everyone that says it won't work .................. it does on some model years and it cost nothing to try it.


Here is how to reset your flashers/turn signals

1 - Turn key on

2 - Press and hold hazard button for 30 seconds

3 - Your cluster will flash one time near the end of 30 seconds.

4 - Your flashers and turn signals will be reset and should work properly :thumbup:

Let us know if it works.

Cruzr Joe

Thanks Cruzr Joe, I saw that on several threads and I tried that 3 times but never saw a flash...I held down the hazard for over a minute with no luck.

 

[pitzerwm]

I have a similar issue with LED lights and could use some advice because electricity is my nemesis! I've never been able to fully grasp the concepts...

There are only a couple of things that you need to know about electricity, on 12VDC (all cars/bikes) don't touch the red and black wire together, you will blow a fuse. On 120AC DO NOT touch the black and white wire to your tongue to see if the switch is on. Do not touch them together or you will weld for a micro second. Up to 9VDC you can use your tongue to see if you have "juice"

All electricity works on a circuit: power.......switch.......load (whatever you want to work, light, motor, etc).... back to the other side of power + if the other end is - in DC. AC hot back to ground. Forget about 220 you should never need to play with it.

I hope this gives you the confidence to dive right in. :joke:

 

[pitzerwm]

Any idea what/where I should put a resistor (size?) or whatever to get the mirrors back and the bag lights working too?
(I've bought an RGB halo kit to install too, but doesn't that go on another circuit?)

Like the guy said 100 ohm 1/4watt size soldered on one side of the circuit, you might need to do it on each turn signal circuit just enough to let nanny know that there is "something there". LEDs draw almost no current (have little resistance)

 

[finless]

Norcalbud, PM me and I can call you live if you need some help.
But I will warn you when you add the saddle bag lights and hook them to thee turn signals, you will wind up adding more resistors. For now put a 100 ohm on the mirror turn signals this will fix your current fast flash. Then when you add the saddle bag lights you will probably need one on those. FYI the resistor does dim the light you put in on a little.

Bob

 

[Questions]

Wire size

NEVER EVER use a smaller size wire in any situation, if an extended run it could possibly cause a fire !!!!! On DC systems the voltage drop is very high on decreased wire size, Although not quite as bad on ac wiring but, still the best policy is use a larger size wire whenevr possible !!!!!

To make a long story short, I just installed a few Custom Dynamics Lights on my 2012 RT. On the front fender, I have the TIPS, amber brightsides, and the magic channels over the fenders. They worked great. THEN I installed the rear brake light on the top of the back trunk (All-In-One brake/running/turn signal LED light). It also works great, BUT the turn signal now blinks somewhat randomly...quick then normal, then quick...and sometimes all normal. I did have to extend the lead ( about 16 inches) from the brake light to the left turn wire for the brake light.....it wasn't quite long enough, and used a bit smaller guage wire there. I haven't tried to swap out the extension with same size wire yet. Should I...wonder if the resistance may be causing havoc with the flasher? DO I need to use a bigger flasher? if so, where to get one? Any help would be great! P.S. the brightness on these lights kick!!!! Although, I hate the random blinking crap! Please help! Thanks in advance!

 

[NorCalBud]

Norcalbud, PM me and I can call you live if you need some help.
But I will warn you when you add the saddle bag lights and hook them to thee turn signals, you will wind up adding more resistors. For now put a 100 ohm on the mirror turn signals this will fix your current fast flash. Then when you add the saddle bag lights you will probably need one on those. FYI the resistor does dim the light you put in on a little.

Bob

Thanks Bob! I'll take you up on that! I won't likely get back to it until early next week.
Perhaps I should put the resistor on the 3-color strips because they're very bright and I wouldn't mind dimming 'em slightly. Would that still use 100ohm? If I do that and those are more lights per strip than the mirror signals, would I still need a resistor on the bag lights?

What I don't understand is if a resistor is to reduce current flow and voltage levels (Wikipedia) why does REMOVING lights fix the problem? Wouldn't adding MORE lights do that? You don't have to answer that...just scratching my head and thinking out loud..... I understand Quantum String Theory, but not this!:banghead: