Need help...diode? resistor? .....or?

[RideLikeTheWind]

I was hoping that someone can help me....I've got a 2005 Busa with  converted LED undertail.......I tapped into the brake/tail light wire, ran a wire to the aftermarket license plate, attached a a tailight housing with an 1157 brake/tail light.  It works fine.  No problem there.
 Ok then,
I bought one of those 1157 LED rotating brake lights bulbs(rotates as a taillight, blinks intermittenly as a brake light) online for extra night noticeability.  Replaced the standard 1157 bulb with the rotating light.  Start up the bike, it works fine for about 5 minutes, then it goes completely dim.   Does it need a diode?  Or resistor?  Any idea's?

 

[gixxer418]

You can go to your local autozone and get a ballast resistor block to work with these as they have a different current requirement. Can't remember the cost but they should be there next to the bulbs.

 

[Mr Bogus]

a diode is a one way valve for electricity, the resister adds more load to the circuit.. I doubt either is going to fix your problem...

You say the lights go dim? I would look closely at your connections and see if perhaps one is not very good. Also does the problem affect all the lights? A voltmeter would be helpful at this point..

If the problem is only one bulb, swap bulbs around see if issue follows the bulb
If it is all the lights, likely a bad ground (string a new temporary ground wire to test)

 

[RideLikeTheWind]

Thanks gixxer418 And Mr Bogus...I will definitely use the advice you have given me

 

[Mr Bogus]

most of the ballast resistors I am familiar with are actually for dash panels. They keep help to calibrate the analog gauges into accurate ranges.. They are a bi-metal spring type of resistor (sort of like a mini turn signal flasher)

 

[RideLikeTheWind]

I guess I can try it and see if it works....The standard
1157 brake/tail light works fine....it's the fancy rotating brake/tail light that is giving me the problem

 

[Mr Bogus]

you could install that bulb in a car or another bike... bet it does the same thing

 

[RideLikeTheWind]

So...the prognosis is not looking good.....I guess I fell for the online ad stating "no tools needed, just plug in"....oh well

 

[Mr Bogus]

could just be a defective bulb... try it on another vehicle and if it does the same thing, get it replaced...

 

[gixxer418]

with the LED bulbs they do not draw the right load as a conventional bulb thats why they sell the resistor because it can cause your signals to flash to quickly or overload the LED as they are normally rated for like 1 to 5 volts, but as Bogus stated you might check the ground or swap the bulb to another vehicle to see if the problem is the bulb.

 

[RideLikeTheWind]

Thanks gixxer418 and My Bogus.....I tried the bulb in my car and it didn't work...didn't think about that before...that's why I got online here....I just ordered another new bulb...hopefully it will work....if not,  I'll just leave the standard bulb