RATS NEST 101: A TECH’S GUIDE TO MOTORCYCLE-LED ACCENT LIGHTS
RATS NEST 101: A TECH’S GUIDE TO MOTORCYCLE-LED ACCENT LIGHTS
Motorcycle LED Accent Lighting is unquestionably quite popular in the aftermarket LED market. The market is crowded with brands and varieties, making it difficult to choose (the same is true of motorcycle LED turn signal lights). In addition, there’s the dreaded installation! Even the biggest and fiercest bikers are intimidated by the mounting of LED strips and the running of wire!
MOTORCYCLE-LED ACCENT LIGHTS: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Comparing LED options can frequently be like comparing apples and oranges. Think about the LED chip size indicated as 5050, 3528, 3014, or 3020. These figures indicate each LED chip’s millimeter length and width. 5050 LEDs are used in Ledlightjeep Motorcycle LED Accent Lighting, such as MagicFLEX2® and Magic WizardsTM. Each LED chip in these accent lights contains three separate diodes. As a result, they have the best light output at a viewing angle of 120 degrees!
Examine the number of LEDs in each strip. Two manufacturers may offer strips of the same length, although one may have fewer LEDs than the other. More LEDs or a brighter light do not equate to a longer strip.
When purchasing accent lights, always inquire about the product guarantee. This way, you are aware of what you are entering into. All LED items from Ledlightjeep come with a lifetime warranty. You may ride with confidence because of our warranty.
PROBLEMATIC PLUG AND PLAY
Another crucial component is the lighting product’s circuitry. The phrase “plug and play” is frequently used in components and accessories. It implies a simple installation. Some products, such as our ProBEAM® Motorcycle LED Lighting choices, are excellent for “plug and play” installation. However, when accent lighting is installed, it can be disastrous.
Think about how a daisy chain connects the light strips. Lights are sequentially dependent on one another. The light in front of it must get power before it may receive power. Therefore, consider these the traditional holiday lights; if one goes out, they all go out!
Additionally, you cannot clip or cut plug-and-play accent lights’ wiring. Although it might not seem like much, you have much additional wiring. According to our observations, the area beneath your seat may begin to resemble a rat’s nest rather than a motorcycle.
THE NEST
It’s always better to have extra wire under your seat. The installation is troublesome and disorganized. This additional wire obstructs the mechanics’ and technicians’ ability to do their duties when servicing your bike. Even something as easy as changing your battery will take a lot longer, and there’s a good chance that your accent lights will break or get damaged.
It is impossible to debug an installation like this if you have LED failure or have issues getting the lights to work correctly. Even though the “Plug and Play” setup seems fantastic, you must remember that any connector in your lighting system could malfunction. Before finding the offender, you must sort through the tangled mess caused by the extra cable beneath the seat.
TECH APPROVED
Make wise decisions while buying and installing accent lights to prevent a rat’s nest under your seat. Ledlightjeep accent lighting strips include 48 color-coded wire leads. After installing the bike’s lighting, fasten all cables and run them beneath the seat. Cut back extra wire and leave around 6 inches for a service lead.
Additionally, for a quick and straightforward method of wiring your lights, Ledlightjeep professionals advise using Cage Clamp® Connectors! You can secure all wiring with the levers on each Cage Clamp®, a waterproof termination block. These enable future serviceability if you need troubleshooting or add more lights. Get the supplies you need to install LED lighting on your motorcycle!
Once all the lights are set up, the service lead can be tucked away, giving you full access to the battery, ECM, and stock harness connectors. Your wiring is now clear and easy to handle, and installations can be tailored to a specific bike without requiring additional wiring everywhere.
Depending on the installer and the product, it may take one to two hours to install accent lights on a whole bike. The installation of Ledlightjeep MagicFLEX2® single-color Motorcycle LED accent lights is explained in our comprehensive Motorcycle LED Lighting Installation Video.
Plug-and-play accent lights are sometimes different from what they seem. Do it correctly the first time to avoid headaches!