LED taillight (kz400)

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24 Jun 2024 08:42 #901229 by ThatYeti
LED taillight (kz400) was created by ThatYeti
Starting a new thread cause it's just a wiring issue at this point. Not sure what I'm missing but no matter how I wire this new light it still causes the brake light on the dash to flash and I don't get any change in lighting when I pull/press the brakes.

Something different I need to do since it's LED?

'76 KZ400
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    • Scirocco
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    24 Jun 2024 09:01 - 24 Jun 2024 09:03 #901231 by Scirocco
    Replied by Scirocco on topic LED taillight (kz400)
    The control modul of the "Idiot Light" on the dash register no or to low current flow and will stay on.
    You have to solder a ballast resistor (50-80 Ohm) paralell to the LED rear light connection to mimic a fake bulb current load.
    Last edit: 24 Jun 2024 09:03 by Scirocco.
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    24 Jun 2024 09:18 #901232 by ThatYeti
    Replied by ThatYeti on topic LED taillight (kz400)
    Ugh, should have known. Do you have a link to this kind of resistor? And which wire would I need one on?

    '76 KZ400

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    24 Jun 2024 11:21 #901242 by Scirocco
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    24 Jun 2024 11:38 - 24 Jun 2024 11:51 #901243 by ThatYeti
    Replied by ThatYeti on topic LED taillight (kz400)
    Thanks and to confirm I need one of those resistors for each of the wires for the running light and brake light wires? (brown and red and my case). Looks like with this one the diagram shows it only needing one resistor to cover both, but let me know if that's correct:

    www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KS6KMYG/ref...=A6M2FHZLRKPJW&psc=1

    '76 KZ400
    Last edit: 24 Jun 2024 11:51 by ThatYeti.

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    24 Jun 2024 13:00 #901249 by Scirocco
    Replied by Scirocco on topic LED taillight (kz400)
    Only one resistor for the break light is needed, so fare as i know.
     
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    24 Jun 2024 14:02 #901252 by Nerdy
    Replied by Nerdy on topic LED taillight (kz400)
    Hmmm - I put an LED tail/brake light on my previous '79 KZ400 and did not have any of the issues you're experiencing.

    I just swapped out the hardware: the light on the gauge face didn't come on, there was no futzing around with resistors, etc. It was a pretty basic unit from Amazon or eBay; I don't think it had a resistor built in.

    1979 KZ400 Gifted to a couple of nephews
    1967 Yamaha YCS1 Bonanza
    1980 KZ440B
    1981 Yamaha XT250H
    1981 KZ440 LTD project bike
    1981 GPz550
    2013 Yamaha FZ6R

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    24 Jun 2024 14:30 #901254 by ThatYeti
    Replied by ThatYeti on topic LED taillight (kz400)
    Kind of what I was expecting but maybe the one I got is extra amazon-y?

    MotoParAcc Red LED Tail Light, Universal Motorcycle Brake Taillights for Harley Dyna, Road King,Yamaha, Suzuki, Dirt Bike and ATV a.co/d/05mnlSR9

    '76 KZ400

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    24 Jun 2024 14:35 #901256 by Scirocco
    Replied by Scirocco on topic LED taillight (kz400)
    It could be that the break light indicator eletronic is disconnected or has a different sensitivity, who knows!?!?

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    24 Jun 2024 15:16 #901259 by ThatYeti
    Replied by ThatYeti on topic LED taillight (kz400)
    Well the stock one worked fine before I pulled it off and also plugged it back in with no issues. So I think the bike side is okay, guessing it's just an odd setup on the light I picked.

    '76 KZ400

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    24 Jun 2024 16:39 #901263 by Wookie58
    Replied by Wookie58 on topic LED taillight (kz400)
    Some early "bulb failure" units look for a ground through the bulb, when the bulb blows the unit looses that ground and put the warning light on. I suspect it isn't seeing the ground through the circuitry of the LED light. The simple answer is take the bulb out of the warning light (you don't need bulb failure warning with LED as they aren't all going to fail at the same time)
    Have you tried reversing the brake and marker light wiring (if it doesn't change brightness it sounds like the brake light is coming on in place of the marker light, when you brake it can't get any brighter)
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    24 Jun 2024 17:07 #901265 by ThatYeti
    Replied by ThatYeti on topic LED taillight (kz400)
    Makes sense, but I did try swapping the marker light and brake light wires but it just lights up the opposite set of LEDs (has one set for brakes and one for running/marker) but gives me nothing when I pull the brake lever.

    '76 KZ400

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