BPF LED Source

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marshg246

marshg246

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Several places sold a positive ground only BPF LED bulb for a while. I have used up all I bought and can't find the anymore.

The "better" bulb that came out later can be used with positive or negative ground, but usually doesn't work property if you have the high-beam indicator connected so I don't want that one.

So, does anyone know of a source for the positive ground only BPF bulbs?
 
Ive had this issue. The highbeam warning lamp allows current flow either direction so there is a path to ground through the non polar led bpf. You can put a diode on the warning lamp line to prevent this leakage or use a positive ground warning led in the high beam socket.
 
Tornado said:
Ive had this issue. The highbeam warning lamp allows current flow either direction so there is a path to ground through the non polar led bpf. You can put a diode on the warning lamp line to prevent this leakage or use a positive ground warning led in the high beam socket.
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That's the blinker warning light you're thinking of. The high beam indicator is just a bulb off the switch. No interaction with the headlight.
 
maylar said:
That's the blinker warning light you're thinking of. The high beam indicator is just a bulb off the switch. No interaction with the headlight.
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Trust me - the new bulbs flash on and off with the high beam indicator connected! It is not a bulb off the swatch, it is a bulb in parallel with the high beam.
 
In my case the warning lamp would stay even on dip beam switch setting. My initial solution was to pull out the warning lamp bulb.

EDIT:
Actually, I now recall the issue was the high beam itself was always on no matter what the switch was at....unless I pulled the warning light bulb. I now have an LED warning lamp too and it has cured the constant on high beam issue.
 
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marshg246 said:
Trust me - the new bulbs flash on and off with the high beam indicator connected! It is not a bulb off the swatch, it is a bulb in parallel with the high beam.
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It's two bulbs off the same switch to ground. If you're having interaction between them, something is wrong. I suspect that your ground is not ground.

BPF LED Source
 
maylar said:
It's two bulbs off the same switch to ground. If you're having interaction between them, something is wrong. I suspect that your ground is not ground.

View attachment 13983
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MANY people have reported that same problem. Either high beam all the time or flashing between high beam and low beam. It's a leakage current problem, not a ground problem.
 
marshg246 said:
MANY people have reported that same problem. Either high beam all the time or flashing between high beam and low beam. It's a leakage current problem, not a ground problem.
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Leakage from where to where? The schematic shows a very simple connection scheme. Both lamps powered from the same wire. Neither bulb should care about the other. Current flows through each bulb to ground. Period.

Just for grins, find the ground points of the headlamp and the indicator and run a jumper wire from them to your battery ground. I'll bet a virtual beer that the problem goes away.
 
maylar said:
Leakage from where to where? The schematic shows a very simple connection scheme. Both lamps powered from the same wire. Neither bulb should care about the other. Current flows through each bulb to ground. Period.

Just for grins, find the ground points of the headlamp and the indicator and run a jumper wire from them to your battery ground. I'll bet a virtual beer that the problem goes away.
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The schematic very clearly shows the indicator in parallel with the high beam filament. The schematic is exactly how they are wired if standard. Whether the switch is on or off, that connection exists.

The LED is NOT two separate circuits like the filaments in a normal bulb. The problem LED has a power supply that can take a wide range of input voltage and positive or negative ground. The high beam part of that logic has two paths to ground.

The problem will not go away. It's even more complicated. A regular bulb for the indicator causes always on high beam, an LED for the indicator causes flashing.

I have tested on the workbench where there can be no doubt because I wanted to eliminate any possible noise and the problem is the same. BTW, I had already sent back two when someone here mentioned that the high beam indicator caused the problem.

At any rate, I want to find a stock of the other LED - they work great and cost less. They aren't quite as bright, but are way better than standard bulbs. They are 12volt, positive ground only so minimal electronics to do weird things.
 
OK, I believe you. Do what you gotta do. Mine doesn't behave that way.
 
Yes the internal circuitry/logic of the LED unit is what gives these issues.
I have not seen the flashing issue with the led warning light fitted. I got the warning led from Classic British Spares:

BPF LED Source
Lucas Replacement Warning Light LED Bulbs -
#281 / BA7S 12V (+) Positive Ground

Note these guys also carry the BPF led unit and did have note on their site last year about flashing reports. They temporarily removed the product then later reinstated it claim issue now resolved. Might be worth reaching out to them to see what was done.
 
Tornado said:
Hmm...just saw this note re flicking of the units on the CBS site:


https://www.classicbritishspares.co...ght-bulbs?mc_cid=d1e4f31046&mc_eid=33a51d982a

"any AC leakage will cause "flickering" within the bulb - not compatible with "ET" or "AC" ignition systems"

This could explain why some have had this, a poorly working rectifier.
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Considering a bench test with no rectifier and considering testing with the engine off both gave the same results - no, not a rectifier problem.
 
Tornado said:
Yes the internal circuitry/logic of the LED unit is what gives these issues.
I have not seen the flashing issue with the led warning light fitted. I got the warning led from Classic British Spares:

BPF LED Source
Lucas Replacement Warning Light LED Bulbs -
#281 / BA7S 12V (+) Positive Ground

Note these guys also carry the BPF led unit and did have note on their site last year about flashing reports. They temporarily removed the product then later reinstated it claim issue now resolved. Might be worth reaching out to them to see what was done.
Click to expand...
Ya, I wish I had that note for the doubters. Anyway, I'll order one and see if they work right now - if they'll sell me one. They were pretty annoyed when I sent the 2nd one back. If not, the Bonneville Shop has them too so I'll try one from there.
 
marshg246 said:
Considering a bench test with no rectifier and considering testing with the engine off both gave the same results - no, not a rectifier problem.
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I see.

Well, if improved lighting is really the goal, then I'd be looking to go with an H4 type reflector and then going with the much better performing/better developed H4 LED solutions that are everywhere. I generally am not riding my Commando at night on dark country roads so this is not a priority for my Norton. I do have an excellent H4 LED on my T100 Bonneville.
 
Just my 2 cents but a couple of relays and a dedicated power cable should solve any issues and give you a better working headlight. I’m pretty sure that you are trying to keep everything “stock” but just wanted to throw that out there.
Pete
 
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