Installing LED bulbs?

Got any questions about the BMW's R1200RT/R1250RT's onboard audio, Bluetooth or the Electrical system?
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Zapata
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Installing LED bulbs?

Post by Zapata »

Hello Team and pardon my ignorance.


Will installing LED’s bulbs for the tail/break lights and marker lights will disrupt the CAN-BUS system?


Thank you.
- 2012 R1200RT (0440),  2011 HD Softail Fatboy and  2006 HD V-ROD VRSCR Streetrod.
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temesvar
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Re: Installing LED bulbs?

Post by temesvar »

Here again, is my own experience with a 2008 RT. Replaced with
canbus ready LED's . Is twice as bright but the light bulb out is
displayed on the board. I installed one(only one was enough, no need
for one at each bulb!) resistor and all was good.
https://www.amazon.com/Resistors-Signal ... B004EDF8HY
Be warned, the resistor gets very HOT!!! Will damage anything that gets in touch with it.
If you chose not to install a resistor, am sure you can live with the bulb out warning on
in exchange for a much brighter brake light. Is up to you.
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temesvar
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Re: Installing LED bulbs?

Post by temesvar »

Here is a pic with OEM bulb and one LED bulb.
They are both on. Guess witch one is the LED... :wonder:
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Zapata
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UPDATE

Post by Zapata »

Hello Team:


I installed the LED's bulbs for the Tail/Brake light and the difference is day & night. The LED's are super bright but as you guys mentioned now I have the warning light on + the rear bulb defective indicator on. I guess the change is worth it and the indicator on is not big deal.


I also replaced the parking light bulbs for blue LED's. Planning to put some blue LED's under the fairing in the near future. Will have to look into installing a fuse block. 
- 2012 R1200RT (0440),  2011 HD Softail Fatboy and  2006 HD V-ROD VRSCR Streetrod.
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Bobf
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Re: Installing LED bulbs?

Post by Bobf »

Better to burn out than fade away. - Niel Young
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temesvar
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Re: Installing LED bulbs?

Post by temesvar »

As I said, you need one load resistor, and the bulb out warning light will
not come on. However, if you really want to get complicated, get a set
from Skene. Since you have LED bulbs for brakes, you can connect them
thru the Skene controller. That way you can have your brake lights flashing
5 times before staying on. Am sure is a great feature. I used to flash my
brake lights before when had a car to close, now the controller does it.
Skene also has a front light system, I personally don't care for, but you may.
https://www.skenelights.com/
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Bobf
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Re: Installing LED bulbs?

Post by Bobf »

Might as well go whole hog and get this system while you are at it. The brake light from Denali, plugs directly into the system and you can program it to do a myriad of options.


http://www.twistedthrottle.ca/denali-co ... 00rt-14-17
Better to burn out than fade away. - Niel Young
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Zapata
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Re: Installing LED bulbs?

Post by Zapata »

The skene lights systems looks interesting. Thanks for the tip.


The problem with the load resistor is that it consumes 50W! my idea of the LED bulbs is to make it easy on the battery. Regular brake/tail bulbs only consume 21W. Plus not sure about all the heat generated by the resistor.
- 2012 R1200RT (0440),  2011 HD Softail Fatboy and  2006 HD V-ROD VRSCR Streetrod.
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temesvar
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Re: Installing LED bulbs?

Post by temesvar »

21x2+42. 50W is not that much off. But the heat is what you should worry about.
I have the Skene, and it comes with two modules that work just fine on their own.
Can even get additional modules, make the bike look like a Christmas three.. :alas:
But I wanted to run the stock brake lights thru the Skene controller, and that was
with some effort and help from their tech representative. Always prompt, have to say.
Finally got it working right, but the bulb out warning light is on. I can live with that in
exchange for the flashing brake lights!
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