Modern Vespa

Tried various search terms but can't find anything on topic.

I'd like to create a "triangle of light" to improve my visibility to others.

UK/euro models come with indicators in the legshield lenses. For US scoots there's a plug n play harness available to convert their DRL's to add indicators.

Has anyone in the UK/Europe come across anything similar but in reverse, to convert the euro indicators to add daytime running lights, or done this mod from scratch ?

The other options would be to mount a second bulb in each lense, or adding a pair of spots.

Any advice would be welcome.

Hi 60yoMod , I did a conversion on my ET4 I used amber led in the turn signals, you could use white, check out my pics

EXTRA BRAKE/TAIL LIGHTS+FRONT RUNNING LIGHTS
It is legal in the UK to show a steady amber or white light to the front

Cheers Bill.

It could well have been your DRL mod I was thinking of, I'd seen one where a second bulb had been added.

Might be the only option then if UK DRL's have to be steady on all the time.

The reverse of the US "Euro Turn Signal Kit" (if such a thing existed) might not be an option anyway then as I think that uses the one bulb for both functions.

Hadn't thought yet about rear lights, but I'm sure the same benefit of increased visibility applies at the back too.

Many thanks.

Read these posts:

Running Light Conversion GTS (finale) [with video link]

Turn signal conversion to running lights AND flashers

I converted the signals on my scoot using the Hoppy and a no-load LED compatible turn signal relay. I converted mine before the front/rear split in the wiring so both front and back are running lamps that blink for turn signals.

I used a no-load turn signal relay as I did not want to use resistors to slow the blink rate. No-load relays blink the speed regardless of the load. Load dependent relays require the "load" of the incandescent bulb to correctly time the blink rate. This is why when a bulb is burnt out, the blink rate is twice the normal rate. When you remove the load of both bulb, the blink rate may be so fast, it looks like a steady on light but the relay may be chattering as it went from a 1 second delay between blinks (with 2 bulb load) to a zero second delay with no bulbs (or LED bulbs with a .1 second delay)

Some Vespas have a circuit board to control the signals and it is more complicated.

What you can do is add a GTS style running light to your LXV. I think that is probably the most sensible option. You really don't want to go meddling with your indicators - it's not often I preach - but it really may mess up your insurance.

The curvature of the LXV horncast is different, but it can be persuaded to fit. Really.

Thanks Yes, VEZPA mentioned here My Very Cool Unnecessary Vespa mod that you haven't seen taking a feed from the little bulb for some extra LED lighting. I'd wondered then about the option of running something down to the little grille. Many thanks.

If your already have the Eurolight kit installed I believe you could use a dual color LED from Vleds.

IMPORTANT: You need to insure that the bulb matches the configuration of your socket (i.e. 1157). In addition you can select either a Type 1 (alternates amber and white) or Type 2 (amber blinking only).

http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/Turn-Signal-LED/Amber-LED/V-LEDS-TYPE-2-DUAL-COLOR-p5851397-1-2.html

Hope this might work for with a simple solution to a "plug and play" install.

Note: We had modified several of our GT200 wiring from a pre-exiting turn signal light only (amber) and converted to a dual light (Eurolight) socket. Some had problems with the lower resistance of the LED's (rapid blinking) and some (myself) had a little variance in the blinking interval (if any at all) see video.

Last clip achieves the "triangle of light (illumination") that you are looking for and creates better visual recognition.

Hope this provides you a Good Luck!

The Ultimate Euro signal conversion - Piaggio Fly 50

I like this guys solution. Used factory dual-element tail light sockets. With a tab cut off they fit the signal lenses. Power the second element from the headlight circuit.

This looks great! But the UK configuration doesnt have power to the indicators all the time obviously so do you patch in power from the dipped headlight/horncast?

That's what would have to be done. It's been suggested though that UK DRL's have to be on steady, and swapping the bulbs to cater for the indicator function might have insurance implications, so I'm still pondering.

A second bulb in each lense would get round it, but may appear a bit of a dog's dinner when the original indicator bulb is flashing whilst the secondary DRL bulb in the same lense is on.

An alternative is to make use of power to the little sidelight in the headlight housing and create a little GTS style city light behind the horn grille.

One to think about. Coincidentally, my headlight bulb shook a seven yesterday so now I've no lights at the front at all till I can fettle it up

You can add LED lamps inside the indicator lenses, and provide power to them via the switched (0V) side of the indicators themselves (with a separate 0V ground) - this makes the LEDs go off when the indicators come on, very effective. As done in the 'bright eyes' mod on X9s.

Thanks for the tip Jim. So the DRL on one side can be switched off for the indicator function. Useful to know. One day I'm betting they'll do it as standard.

I moved my horncast light to the mudguard, although you could keep it and have three lights on the front.