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Flashing LEDs?
nick205 - 31/8/16 at 01:09 PM

Hi All,

I have a bicycle front light with 3x white LEDs in it. It has 2 "ON" modes, "ON" and "BLINKING". I need it to be a red rear light and have access to red LEDs at work.

Before I change the LEDs does anyone know if there's a difference between "ON" and "BLINKING" LEDs?

For reference it runs on 2x AAA batteries and IIRC was £3 on eBay so not great loss really if I can't convert it.

Thanks,
Nick

coozer - 31/8/16 at 01:15 PM

Just give it it a try then, see what appens...

gremlin1234 - 31/8/16 at 01:54 PM

it will probably work, but some colours of led have slightly different voltage requirements.
why not just put a red filter across them?
or just buy a red one, even poundland do them (yes at £1)
http://www.poundland.co.uk/my-cycle-5-led-back-bike-light

nick205 - 31/8/16 at 02:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coozer
Just give it it a try then, see what appens...


This is my thinking - I have the light and the LEDs were free from work - I also have a soldering iron and solder at home. If it works bonus if it doesn't then buy a new one.

benchmark51 - 31/8/16 at 03:37 PM

I think flashing ones are different from on/off ones.

loggyboy - 31/8/16 at 04:06 PM

If it has more than 1 led in it then the leds will be normal with the flashing performed by the circuitry. Other wise they would end up flashing out of sync.

[Edited on 31-8-16 by loggyboy]

nick205 - 31/8/16 at 04:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
If it has more than 1 led in it then the leds will be normal with the flashing performed by the circuitry. Other wise they would end up flashing out of sync.

[Edited on 31-8-16 by loggyboy]


3 LEDs and what looks like some form of IC on board - I'm going to try and hope it works

avagolen - 31/8/16 at 06:13 PM

Just have to make sure you get the new LED's fitted correct way round. They are polarity sensitive.

02GF74 - 31/8/16 at 07:04 PM

There is a switch connected to small ic that steps through modes, typically: flash - on - off

So leds are plain old vanilla i.e. not flashing type.

Unsolder old ones and fit new ones. Simples. Polarity is indicated by one leg being longer - no use since leads have been chopped and a flat on side of the led itself. Ensure new ones are fitted in same orientation.

Not sure red filter will be effective. White leds do not emit white light but are blue leds with yellow phosphor, the mix of blue and yellow makes it appear white.

I doubt youll have issues with led voltage, those white leds are cheap so will match red leds fine.

I did same, replace green leds with white and worked fine.

trextr7monkey - 31/8/16 at 11:52 PM

A firm called Kitroniks makes a rear bike light kit.We made s load one year. If you look on their site there are circuit diagrams showing how their circuit works. Good firm to deal with and interestingly they happily send out free samples of their basic kits
Atb

nick205 - 7/9/16 at 03:56 PM

Job done and it works fine.

LEDs changed from white to red with polarity checked. Goes on and flashes as desired. Took me 15 minutes all-in and saved me some money too.