I have fitted direction indicators to my Navigator. A set of "universal fitting" indicators, I fitted LED's rather than use the filament bulbs. A 3 pin flasher. The switch is a combined indicator, horn and high low handlebar mounted unit.
I fitted them, powered up and all was well.
The problem is that when I run the engine the flashing becomes very erratic. Clearly some interference from somewhere. I'm using Boyer electronic ignition.
I've been through the wiring, all seems okay, I've tried powering the flasher from a remote battery, earthing the unit at a different point. I have isolated the ignition circuit from the indicator circuit as much as possible. Tried mounting the flasher in the headlamp shell and in the toolbox. Replaced the LED's with the original bulbs. No difference
Then I moved the flasher about a yard or so from the bike on long temporary wiring. Started the engine. The indicators worked perfectly.
Is the Boyer system creating some interference that the flasher unit is picking up. I've checked the ignition wiring, looks okay.
The flasher unit was a cheap unit, I'm guessing very low quality electronics, perhaps a better quality unit might work?
At a loss as what to do next, any thoughts?
With the lasher unit off the…
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Are you already using…
Are you already using suppressor plug caps or resistor plugs?
Or try another cheap flasher unit.
Or- is the charging voltage normal, i.e. less than 15 V?
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Flasher unit....
Flasher unit not fit for purpose. It could have been created by the LED lamps them selves, they can pickup ignition interference and behave eratically. All ignition tends to throw interference around. It up-sets cheap digital multi-meters. I might have suggested you power the indicators from a separate 12V. But the best bet is the flasher unit is naf-return to supplier-not fit for purpose.
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Always read the instructions…
Always read the instructions.
Well done, fixed in a day, result.
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Instructions
Paul, I did, and made the wrong call, both suppressed and unsuppressed caps are recommended.
The problem got me thinking about suppressing what I assume is RF interference. Would it be possible to shield the flasher device with, say aluminium foil or use shielded cables for the wiring associated with the flasher?
I'm also wondering why placing the flasher in the toolbox didn't sort the problem.
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I think....
I think you will find that as well as being air bourn it will also come down the wires.If you ran the indicator system on a seperate battery as well as shielding it from the interference. But the battery box needs to be completely enclosed. Report back.
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Reporting back
Al, when I tried the flasher unit in toolbox I put the lid on, no difference, interference along the cables?
The plug caps sorted the problem so all is well, now just need to ride the bike to see if the rest of it works properly.
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With the lasher unit off the bike as you have done try tapping it gently with something light and see what happens.
It could be a bad connection within the unit and the vibration from the engine is showing it up.