wiring up multiple lights to old school tanklights anyone have any ideas?

[heartlandcruisers]

well in my recent post about my camaro i noted i plan to wire up the taillights on ym newly acquired saddlebags to the headlight.
when i tried to wire them to the original tank light switch i could not get them to work.
i was thinking of a 4 way junction box or something of that nature but i am unsure as to how to do such a setup.
i know alot of my fellow rrbers have wired up some pretty amazing lights and i was curious if anyone had any ideas how to wire mine up.
the saddlebags are from motorcycle and i have all the lights wiring and bulbs i just need to figure out how to make them work.

also what kind of battery should i use for such a setup where it wont die out 5 minutes after i turn them on.
i have considered a motorcycle battery and maybe a fuse box but i don't know if i need to do that much.
so anyone have any ideas? i have a huge pile of junk i can use so if anyone has any good ideas to fabricate a setup im open to ideas
thanks in advance
Sean
would also like to note im not against converting to led in fact im really interested in doing so i just hate to chop up my working original tank light since this is what draws me to this bike.
thanks again
sean

 

[RustySprockets]

I have a suspicion that any lights that came off a motorcycle will have power requirements far above what a few flashlight batteries can provide. Aren't most MC equipped with 12 volt systems? That's a minimum of EIGHT cells right there, and I doubt they'd last very for long. Converting everything over to LED's would, despite the extra work, almost certainly provide the most satisfying outcome.

 

[horsefarmer]

The issue is Amperage, the "volume" or "flow" of electricity which requires a large battery for a long run time with conventional bulbs. Voltage is equal to "pressure" in electrical lingo.

Replacement 194 marker lamp LED's draw 1/4 the current @ 12v than the standard bulbs. I think there would be a resistor inside each bulb replacement LED to drop the voltage which would turn your battery current to heat so hard wiring LED's and only running a 3 battery (4.5) volts setup would be more efficient.

For more info:
https://mattgadient.com/2006/10/12/...s-how-much-of-a-power-savings-can-you-expect/

 

[assa9]

SLA battery would be your answer. Small and 6 or 12v and mine is 1.3 a h and is tiny measures about 4x1.5x2 inches. Rechargeable also its agm. About $25 from batteries plus. Easily concealed in a tank. I run a led 1157 up front and 2 led 1156 for the rear. Super bright and all tucked in automotive housings.

 

[horsefarmer]

Wow - interesting!
I thought SLA was a size no its a type Sealed Acid Battery. Many more sizes than I thought too!
I have an old kids ride on toy (steering brokeen) I am gonna mess with that one first.
Here are some specs on one 12v one.
https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/sla-sealed-lead-acid/duracell-ultra/12/slaa12=1.3f

• Voltage: 12
• Lead Acid Type: General Purpose
• Capacity: 1.3AH
• Chemistry: Lead Acid
• Lead Acid Design: AGM
• Product Category: Sealed Lead Acid
• Terminal Type: F1, T1, Faston .187
• Weight: 1.6003 lbs
• Length: 3.82 in
• Width: 1.69 in
• Height: 2.28 in.

 

[Shop Rats]

Wow - interesting!
I thought SLA was a size no its a type Sealed Acid Battery. Many more sizes than I thought too!
I have an old kids ride on toy (steering brokeen) I am gonna mess with that one first.
Here are some specs on one 12v one.
https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/sla-sealed-lead-acid/duracell-ultra/12/slaa12=1.3f

• Voltage: 12
• Lead Acid Type: General Purpose
• Capacity: 1.3AH
• Chemistry: Lead Acid
• Lead Acid Design: AGM
• Product Category: Sealed Lead Acid
• Terminal Type: F1, T1, Faston .187
• Weight: 1.6003 lbs
• Length: 3.82 in
• Width: 1.69 in
• Height: 2.28 in.

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