P3 Lights Frequently Asked Questions
(Click on a question.)
Are P3 Lights easy to install?
Many non-technical people have successfully installed P3 Lights. Detailed instructions are on this website in the installation section and a comprehensive manual comes with the unit. Help is always available from support@P3Lights.com
How long does it take to install P3 Lights?
A typical installation takes about 30 minutes. On a BMW R1200RT or K12 /K1300GT, an additional wire needs to be run to the parking light, which takes ~ 10 -15 minutes.
Are P3 Lights compatible with the BMW CAN-bus?
P3 Lights have been designed from the ground up to be fully compatible with the BMW CAN-bus. The original tail light is retained, so the CAN-bus current sensor still sees the normal current draw from the tail light and brake light, and the additional current draw from the P3 Lights is not enough to trip any over-current sensors.
Do P3 Lights work with the new single-filament tail light bulbs used on the BMW R1200RT and K1200GT?
Yes - The P3 Lights intelligent controller ensures correct operation with all BMWs, including these models that have caused our competition so much trouble.
Will P3 Lights give me a "bulb out" fault, like my other aftermarket brake lights did?
Absolutely not. P3 Lights are supplementary lights, and retain the existing tail & brake lights on your motorcycle, and so will not give a bulb out fault. They also do not require a ballast resistor that is incorporated in many other aftermarket brake lights. This is added to fool your lighting system into thinking that there is a real bulb in the circuit. Using such a resistor permanently disables the "bulb out" warning, so if your replacement lights fail, you won't know about it until it's too late.
Do I need the P3+ model with voltmeter option?
The voltmeter option of the P3+ model provides a very convenient way to know your bike's battery voltage: simply turn on the ignition and watch your tail light.
By noting the voltage each time you ride, you can detect charging system faults and also anticipate when your battery is no longer holding a full charge and needs to be replaced. Knowing this ahead of time gives you peace of mind and saves you money and riding time by allowing you to buy a new battery before your old one is completely dead.
How much current do P3 Lights draw?
P3 Lights draw ~ 100 milliamps (1/10th of an Amp) in the tail light mode and 150 - 390 milliamps in brake light mode. This low current drain will not affect your bike's electrical system in any way.
I have a late model bike that has an LED tail light. When I connect the P3 Lights system, I get a lamp failure indication, and/or my tail light goes off. What causes this?
While P3 Lights draw only a fraction of an amp, some newer motorcycles that use electronic current monitoring circuits have a very tight threshold as to how much additional current is allowed
in the tail light circuit. Try connecting the red power lead from the P3 controller to another switched power source on your bike, such as a parking light instead of to the tail light wire.
How do P3 Lights compare to other aftermarket LED lights?
P3 Lights have several safety advantages compared to other systems on the market:
They add more lights to the rear of you bike, rather than simply replace your existing light. This gives your bike a larger lit area, making it much more visible to following traffic.
By preserving the existing tail and brake lights, P3 Lights provide a second, redundant lighting system, with no single point of failure. When viewed from the rear, motorcycles are a small, dark target at night, so this redundancy is a very important safety factor.
In order to defeat the "bulb out" monitoring circuit in many motorcycles, aftermarket replacement LEDs include a ballast resistor to fool the system into thinking that the bulb is still in the circuit. If the electronics or LED in the aftermarket light should fail, the bulb monitoring circuit would not report the failure, giving the false impression that the tail light is still operating properly. P3 Lights' design, on the other hand, preserves the motorcycle's stock bulb-out alarm feature.
P3 Lights are unique in their use of a modulated tail light, where the tail light alternates rapidly between a lower and a higher brightness (patent pending). This innovation greatly increases the conspicuity of your motorcycle compared to a steadily burning tail light.
P3 Lights are quickly and easily programmed to suit your requirements with a few flicks of the brake lever. There is no need to cut wires or open up your tail light and fiddle with small switches to reconfigure the brake light flasher.
P3 Lights incorporate a constant current regulator that ensures high LED brightness even if the battery voltage drops as low as 9 volts. Many other lights get dim and go out at voltages less than 11 volts. This current regulation feature ensures the P3 Lights owner of full tail and brake light brightness even if the bike's charging system is marginal or faulty.
Many people have asked how P3 Lights compare in brightness to other aftermarket LED tail lights. Below is an un-retouched photo comparing P3 Lights to a competitor's lights:
If I sell my current bike, how easy is it for me to move my P3 Lights to my new bike?
All connectors used on the P3 Lights system are re-usable, so the components can easily be reinstalled on your new bike.
What motorcycles are P3 Lights compatible with?
P3 Lights are compatible with all motorcycle makes and models. This includes all late model BMW's that use the CAN-bus.
I already have a flashing brake light, built into my tail light. Can I install P3 Lights on my bike without affecting its operation?
Yes, you certainly can. The P3 Lights system operates independently of other tail/brake lights. Just connect the P3 controller directly to your bike's tail/brake light wires before they connect to the other lights.
Can I power lights other than the ones I receive with the P3 Lights system from the P3 controller?
Yes, you can. The P3 Lights IQ-160 control module can power up to 8 red Photon Boosters, or two Photon Boosters and up to 2 amps of additional lights.
Can I connect the P3 Lights LED modules directly to 12 volts, without using the control module?
Yes, you can. The Photon Booster LED modules are designed to operate on 9 - 16 volts.
|
