wiring riddle for an electrical wizard guru type..

**StAcK** · 02-03-2012, 08:35 PM

This is why I went to the mechanical field but I'll try to make it as short as possible; picked up a top box for my sports tourer and added some brake/signals/running lights. Two rows of led strips each side; bottom row is marker light/brake lights; top row is marker lights turn signals (there's a third row in the center for brake only but its not relevant). I wired them all with maze of resistors and diodes to a 5-pin trailer connector. I tested everything with with a spare battery and it works perfect. Wired up other end of connector to bike and the top row of running lights will not work. Signals work, brake lights work, bottom row of marker lights work, but the top row has nothing.

All the marker lights are run directly off switched +dc with a resistor to run half brightness. The bottom row has brake lights spliced in with diode. The top row has signals spliced in with diode. Why would this work when run off a test battery but not off the bike?

**monteagle** · 02-04-2012, 02:52 AM

without getting in there hands on id guess from here that its a plug issue either no ground for the upper series or no power cant get any more specific due to not knowing how its wired did you design the diode/ resistors or was it from a kit with schematics if you have a schematic i can look it over and possibly tell you where to look for issues but other than that lights only need two things power and ground lol

**THE MIDGET** · 02-04-2012, 05:02 AM

Sounds like a plug issue or conection, however motorcycle wiring is tricky. You might try switching the top and bottom conections if it starts working then again re check all conections. Make sure you have the pos and neg corect being LED's and then if that still wont get it check to see if you have enough voltage at the top row.

**.Cheetah.** · 02-04-2012, 08:47 AM

Lets see some pics of this lil project!!

**StAcK** · 02-04-2012, 10:59 AM

So I cut the marker light lead and the ground from the bike side of the harness. Ran it straight to the battery terminals, works. Ran it to straight to the aux power outlet (which is switched) and it doesn't work. Does not make sense to me. I've also hooked up all the leads to straight +DC to see if the problems is in another circuit but it works fine. Only not working when wired to the switched +dc.

**Webb** · 02-04-2012, 05:53 PM

you did check to make sure your getting power and ground form your switch right. If your getting 12V there it should work unless there is something else going on in the bike side.

**Hoosier** · 02-04-2012, 06:08 PM

I was gonna suggest using a voltage meter before the plug and after the plug.

**.Cheetah.** · 02-05-2012, 09:29 AM

^^^ You were or you just did.....?

I still want to see these damn lights!

**StAcK** · 02-05-2012, 03:48 PM

Figured it out, added diodes to the signal leads. I guess voltage was leaking back through the signal wiring on the bike rather than firing the LEDs. I'll post pics later when I wrap it up.

**StAcK** · 02-07-2012, 03:41 PM

Here's pics; added Givi V46 top box with back rest, removed cheesy reflective cardboard behind red lenses and installed 2 rows of LEDs each side and one row in middle. Bottom row is marker and brake, top row marker and signal, center row brake only. Cost about $50 total for leds and beats the shit out of any aftermarket kit available.

Rats Nest