Underbody Lights Idea?

MrTiddles · February 25th, 2009, 12:34 PM

So, I have a few spare computer case lights which run off a 12v circuit. Any suggestions on where to start looking for a proper splicing point? Suggestions for maybe safety tips?

Thanks in advance.

Wade · February 25th, 2009, 07:25 PM

Hi-Tec did a write up here on his install http://www.newninja.com/index.php?PH...0&topic=1211.0

Hope this helps

maxedpenny · February 25th, 2009, 08:32 PM

Be careful with computer lights. They normally get exactly 12v from your psu. The ninja electrical system can spike to higher voltages. I hooked up a bunch of EL wire in my car and it burned it out

empire00 · February 26th, 2009, 04:36 AM

I have CCFL tubes from a computer on my bike i just ran them off the battery with a inline fuse and switch in the "trunk". last week i changed the switch out for a wireless keyfob switch like this one. http://www.svc.com/rm01.html

in theory you shouldn't have any problems with voltage sag/spike with most L.E.D. or CCFL type lights as long as you don't exceed ~10v low ~14v high. low voltage wont mess up the LEDs but it can cause a problem with CCFL ballast that will make them flicker.

I am a electrician but still YMMV

Viper-Byte · February 26th, 2009, 03:53 PM

I am considering putting a few LEDs into the fairings on my bike. The only problem is the lighting laws are really strict here, so I am not sure what to do.
Though if I do, I will probably just get computer LED lighting kits as they are really just LEDs, they are fine to be run on the bike. I have run then in my car with no issues.

ninjabrewer · February 26th, 2009, 04:43 PM

Somebody did a DIY thread on the lights you are talking about, but I don't remember if it was on here or on "that other forum" Do a search and see if it was this one. I distinctly remember seeing it, because I remember saying "holy s&%*, I want that"

nb

MrTiddles · February 27th, 2009, 01:50 AM

Thanks tons for the help guys, I really appreciate it. Once it warms up, I'll try to work this out and post up pics.

Wade · February 28th, 2009, 02:12 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0MBcKq7lIQ&eurl

Check that out too kinda instructional as well as cool.

Viper-Byte · February 28th, 2009, 04:15 PM

OK, I have found an LED lighting kit that has 2 blue LEDs I used for my PC, I am going to install them now on the forks pointing down and post back with the results.

Though the LED kit from XLS performance looks good: http://www.xlsperformance.com/bike_led_accent.htm only a little expensive at $90USD

Viper-Byte · March 1st, 2009, 02:55 AM

Well, I installed it and secured the LEDs with cellotape (I hadn't planned on keeping them on till I found out the regulations of them anyway.

But here is what I used:

The LEDs are in a casing that focuses the light to one position, like a torch, but it doesn't do very well as you will see below.

Them installed on the forks:

they are in a position where they are not going to hit anything and are off the suspension part of the fork, so will not impact the suspension.

The glow from the front, slightly to the left:

The view looking down from riders seat:

Something must be done about the amount of light that goes up to where the rider is, I don't know about you, but I cannot ride with lights like that in my eyes at night.

Wade · March 1st, 2009, 03:12 AM

It didnt look like the guy in my youtube video had that problem but i think his were further into the bike away from the front wheel more (deeper into the bike if that makes sence) Maby you could try that?

Viper-Byte · March 1st, 2009, 03:25 AM

Yeah, his look to be mounted right in the fairing.

I wanted to have a beam of light going over the front wheel and to the ground, hence why I put them on the forks in the position I did.

kkim · March 1st, 2009, 09:42 AM

don't know about where you live, but here in Hawaii, any blue exterior lights are illegal.

Viper-Byte · March 1st, 2009, 04:03 PM

Kelly, I am going to find out the rules and regulations today for it from a person i the know, I don't think blue would go well with the green in any case. This was more of a test to see what it would look like.

The regulations I can find online say (under cosmetic lighting): http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/veh...ghts-right.htm

On a side note, I am currently running with illegal headlights (HIDs with ballasts and no change to the reflector housing)... LOL, I may want to have a look into that aswell...

ninjabrewer · March 1st, 2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

don't know about where you live, but here in Hawaii, any blue exterior lights are illegal.

THANK YOU,

I was thinking about doing that very thing......
It is any color or just blue?

nb

kkim · March 1st, 2009, 09:06 PM

Just blue. A few years ago, there were people running around with blue lights pulling females over in deserted spots and assaulting them. Since then, any type of blue lights that is not on a police vehicle was made illegal. The police take this serious, for good reason.

There are other federal restrictions on lights as well. No red lights facing forward, no clear lights facing directly rearwards.

noche_caliente · March 2nd, 2009, 08:25 AM

it's a shame that people go and ruin things for the rest of us

Viper-Byte · March 5th, 2009, 01:46 AM

I am trying to figure out the best place to tap into the positive. What I want is to have the LED lights so they only come on when the low (and high beam) headlights are on, so tap into the low beam some where. I would prefer not to tap into the headlight supply if I can avoid it. So I was looking at the wiring in the service manual and I think the best place maybe to tap into the headlight relay. What do you guys think of that?

I guess it is also possible to tap into the low beam connector (that used to connect to the bulb before I installed the HIDs) in paralel (this is the least prefered method). This will give me the characteristics. Then have a fuse of its own to the circuit and also switch so I can turn it off manually and have the headlights still running and LEDs off.

I am going to have a chat to an auto electrician and see what they suggest. I think that is the best idea.

Incase you hadn't picked up, I am designing and making my own LED system

February 25th, 2009, 12:34 PM	#1
MrTiddles ninjette.org member Name: Seth Location: Wichita, KS Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Posts: 89	Underbody Lights Idea? So, I have a few spare computer case lights which run off a 12v circuit. Any suggestions on where to start looking for a proper splicing point? Suggestions for maybe safety tips? Thanks in advance. __________________________________________________

February 26th, 2009, 04:43 PM	#6
ninjabrewer dirty old man Name: Chris Location: Hazel Green, AL Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Blue '08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Somebody did a DIY thread on the lights you are talking about, but I don't remember if it was on here or on "that other forum" Do a search and see if it was this one. I distinctly remember seeing it, because I remember saying "holy s&%*, I want that" nb __________________________________________________ Death tugs at my ear and says, "Live, I am coming." -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., poet, novelist, essayist, and physician (1809-1894) www.friendsofsanonofre.org

February 27th, 2009, 01:50 AM	#7
MrTiddles ninjette.org member Name: Seth Location: Wichita, KS Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Posts: 89	Thanks tons for the help guys, I really appreciate it. Once it warms up, I'll try to work this out and post up pics. __________________________________________________

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February 25th, 2009, 07:25 PM	#2
Wade ninjette.org member Name: Wade Location: Sydney, Australia Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): Black 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 52	Hi-Tec did a write up here on his install http://www.newninja.com/index.php?PH...0&topic=1211.0 Hope this helps

February 25th, 2009, 08:32 PM	#3
maxedpenny Don't Be Evil! Name: Miles Location: Excelsior, MN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 92	Be careful with computer lights. They normally get exactly 12v from your psu. The ninja electrical system can spike to higher voltages. I hooked up a bunch of EL wire in my car and it burned it out

February 26th, 2009, 04:36 AM	#4
empire00 ninjette.org member Name: Sean Location: Southern IL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250r SE, 2015 FJ-09 Posts: 171	I have CCFL tubes from a computer on my bike i just ran them off the battery with a inline fuse and switch in the "trunk". last week i changed the switch out for a wireless keyfob switch like this one. http://www.svc.com/rm01.html in theory you shouldn't have any problems with voltage sag/spike with most L.E.D. or CCFL type lights as long as you don't exceed ~10v low ~14v high. low voltage wont mess up the LEDs but it can cause a problem with CCFL ballast that will make them flicker. I am a electrician but still YMMV

February 26th, 2009, 03:53 PM	#5
Viper-Byte ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564	I am considering putting a few LEDs into the fairings on my bike. The only problem is the lighting laws are really strict here, so I am not sure what to do. Though if I do, I will probably just get computer LED lighting kits as they are really just LEDs, they are fine to be run on the bike. I have run then in my car with no issues.

February 28th, 2009, 02:12 AM	#8
Wade ninjette.org member Name: Wade Location: Sydney, Australia Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): Black 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 52	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0MBcKq7lIQ&eurl Check that out too kinda instructional as well as cool.

February 28th, 2009, 04:15 PM	#9
Viper-Byte ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564	OK, I have found an LED lighting kit that has 2 blue LEDs I used for my PC, I am going to install them now on the forks pointing down and post back with the results. Though the LED kit from XLS performance looks good: http://www.xlsperformance.com/bike_led_accent.htm only a little expensive at $90USD

March 1st, 2009, 02:55 AM	#10
Viper-Byte ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564	Well, I installed it and secured the LEDs with cellotape (I hadn't planned on keeping them on till I found out the regulations of them anyway. But here is what I used: The LEDs are in a casing that focuses the light to one position, like a torch, but it doesn't do very well as you will see below. Them installed on the forks: they are in a position where they are not going to hit anything and are off the suspension part of the fork, so will not impact the suspension. The glow from the front, slightly to the left: The view looking down from riders seat: Something must be done about the amount of light that goes up to where the rider is, I don't know about you, but I cannot ride with lights like that in my eyes at night.

March 1st, 2009, 03:12 AM	#11
Wade ninjette.org member Name: Wade Location: Sydney, Australia Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): Black 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 52	It didnt look like the guy in my youtube video had that problem but i think his were further into the bike away from the front wheel more (deeper into the bike if that makes sence) Maby you could try that?

March 1st, 2009, 03:25 AM	#12
Viper-Byte ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564	Yeah, his look to be mounted right in the fairing. I wanted to have a beam of light going over the front wheel and to the ground, hence why I put them on the forks in the position I did.

March 1st, 2009, 09:42 AM	#13
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	don't know about where you live, but here in Hawaii, any blue exterior lights are illegal.

March 1st, 2009, 04:03 PM	#14
Viper-Byte ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564	Kelly, I am going to find out the rules and regulations today for it from a person i the know, I don't think blue would go well with the green in any case. This was more of a test to see what it would look like. The regulations I can find online say (under cosmetic lighting): http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/veh...ghts-right.htm On a side note, I am currently running with illegal headlights (HIDs with ballasts and no change to the reflector housing)... LOL, I may want to have a look into that aswell...

March 1st, 2009, 09:06 PM	#16
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Just blue. A few years ago, there were people running around with blue lights pulling females over in deserted spots and assaulting them. Since then, any type of blue lights that is not on a police vehicle was made illegal. The police take this serious, for good reason. There are other federal restrictions on lights as well. No red lights facing forward, no clear lights facing directly rearwards.

March 2nd, 2009, 08:25 AM	#17
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	it's a shame that people go and ruin things for the rest of us

March 5th, 2009, 01:46 AM	#18
Viper-Byte ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564	I am trying to figure out the best place to tap into the positive. What I want is to have the LED lights so they only come on when the low (and high beam) headlights are on, so tap into the low beam some where. I would prefer not to tap into the headlight supply if I can avoid it. So I was looking at the wiring in the service manual and I think the best place maybe to tap into the headlight relay. What do you guys think of that? I guess it is also possible to tap into the low beam connector (that used to connect to the bulb before I installed the HIDs) in paralel (this is the least prefered method). This will give me the characteristics. Then have a fuse of its own to the circuit and also switch so I can turn it off manually and have the headlights still running and LEDs off. I am going to have a chat to an auto electrician and see what they suggest. I think that is the best idea. Incase you hadn't picked up, I am designing and making my own LED system