Looking for some guidance on lighting for my project, I have a 1981 xs650 special II. I tore the wiring out when I installed a HHB PMA kit. I have the bike very simply wired currently with a capacitor and a kill switch, everything runs great and is clean and minimal. My intentions were to feed a fuse box from the two open leads on the capacitor, then supply power from the fuse box to the headlight, tail light, neutral light, etc. To test that theory the other night I attached my LED tail light strip to the open leads on the capacitor and got no illumination (bike at idle and at higher rpm). Does the issue come from trying to use LED's without enough voltage? Amps? Current? (sorry not an electrical guy) or am I understanding the function of that capacitor incorrectly? I attached a wiring diagram posted by wallywheels back in 2013 that I think is pretty close to what I am trying to do. TIA
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Lighting, Kick start only
- Thread starter CjVoller
- Start date
I have no experience of a capacitor system. So, given that, I would go back to basics. For example, with the bike running, does the terminal you are using to power the lights have 12 volts on it?
Looking at the diagram, I'd expect to be able to measure 12v there with the bike running.
Looking at the diagram, I'd expect to be able to measure 12v there with the bike running.
Your running a 200watt system. The more watts you run, as in incandescent or halogen lights, the better for the reg/rect as it doesn't have to bleed off so much excess power as heat or shunt it back to the stater.
Good to know, thanks 650Skull. I guess my ignorance led me to believe that by going to LED, less power would be needed. Therefore, helping to mitigate the flicker or dimming at idle that I have read so many complaints about. Is there any validity in that assumption? or am I greatly misunderstanding the capacitor stored power and electrical system as a whole?
LED may not flicker at idle due to less current required but the trade off on the excess wattage that has to be dissipated could cost in the long run. A lot of PMA/Cap people run a small battery for the lights.
Hey CjVoller, did you short out your lighting issue with this wiring diagram? I used it for my build and my bike fires up first kick no problem, but I also have no lights working. It’s like the capacitor isn’t getting any juice at all. Thanks for any insight
Thanks for the insight, are you saying people are replacing the capacitor with a small battery? or are they running with both a capacitor and a battery?
Hey MedicWild, Just seeing this comment. I have not done much work on my bike since posting this thread. Sounds like we are in the exact same boat. Bike runs perfect with the simplified wiring and new HHB components, but when I try to tap into the electrical system for lights I get nothing. I will try to remember to update when I get around to sorting out the issues.
Thanks man! I still haven’t sorted it out
mike in idaho
XS650 Addict
Maybe this has already been discussed, but, are all the light bulbs leds? Led lights are polarity sensitive, they won't work if wired reverse polarity.
