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04-15-2005, 04:04 PM | #1 |
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super fast blinkers
I cleared my lights and replaced the front turn signal bulbs with LED's not knowing the lower power causes them to bling fast damn it...I did a search and I didnt find anything easy/less complicated to fix the prob. Is there a easy fix. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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04-15-2005, 05:10 PM | #2 |
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I could be wrong but I think if you get a beefier relay it'll slow them down.
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04-15-2005, 05:20 PM | #3 |
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not relay, resistor.
just put a certain spec resistor in the circuit as close to the bulb as possible and it'll be fine. i like the super blinkers though, i miss mine |
04-15-2005, 05:34 PM | #4 |
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I did this on my last car, did LEDs for all but high/low...
There are Vampire clip resistors that work perfectly. Not exactly the same speed, but slower than without them. (little faster than stock) Basically the LEDs don't draw as much current so the electrical system acts as if one's blown out. Before I got the resistors people would always flash me or tell me I have a blinker out... annoying. They're really nice for illuminating the lisence plate though. |
04-15-2005, 06:32 PM | #5 |
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You have two (actually three) alternatives-
1. Add resistors in parallel with each bulbs. This will increase the current draw back up to the level of the original bulbs so the blinker works properly. Downsides- this negates the current saving factor of the LEDs. Also the resistors required for this are large and will get hot, so you have to be careful where you place them. Do NOT use "vampire" taps for this, solder or crimp and tape/shrink the connections. 2. Replace the blinker unit with an electronic one that will work with the LEDs and flash at the correct rate. No I can't tell you where to get one. 3. Give up and put the bulbs back in. |
04-15-2005, 06:38 PM | #6 |
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the electronic flasher method works the best. napa auto parts carries them for a lot of cars.
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04-15-2005, 08:56 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
RW |
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04-16-2005, 12:36 AM | #8 |
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hell yeah...thanks
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04-16-2005, 10:12 AM | #9 | |
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04-16-2005, 05:21 PM | #10 | |
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04-16-2005, 08:07 PM | #11 |
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Here's one answer, my friend:
http://superlumination.com/equalizers.htm Installation instructions are on this page as well. You only need one per side if you are replacing all turn signals (in front and in back). I installed one on the left rear and one on the right rear. Took 5 minutes. The other answer is to get the electronic flasher. One or the other. Don't know the advantage of one or the other. |
04-16-2005, 09:43 PM | #12 | |
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04-17-2005, 05:12 AM | #13 |
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i kinda like the faster rate...it's different enough to get peoples attention on the road so that they notice my blinker...
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04-17-2005, 09:43 PM | #14 | |
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The advantage of equalizers is that you don't have to figure out a replacement flasher. Disadvantage is it looks like they cost about $7 apiece, and require 4, so $28. Also the load is basically burning energy for no purpose. It's a resistor making heat instead of light. The advantage of the electronic "LED" flasher is that it costs about $8 for the total solution. Also no extra current draw. Disadvantage is you have to spec out the right one. If the package says "with lamp outage" it is NOT the right one. RW |
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04-17-2005, 09:44 PM | #15 | |
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04-18-2005, 01:06 AM | #16 |
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^ Some turn signal relays do use capacitors for the timing circuit, and some use resistors. But most new ones have all moved to a simple IC circuit which keeps the cost down and makes it .. hard to mod.
If you wanted to, you could grab an old school "MITSUBA" relay off of an old early 90's or late 80's accord or civic and hook a potentiometer to R2, works fine for an adjustable speed turn signal circuit. But it most likely doesn't work with LED's of course. |
04-18-2005, 09:41 AM | #17 |
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Why not replace the bulbs?
What is the advantage of LED's? I looked at them in my car but it just seems a cost for nothing gained. John |
04-18-2005, 09:22 PM | #18 | |
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They come on faster than incandescents. If you are in a long line of traffic, and they are getting ready to slow, alot of times you'll see one set of brake lights come on before the others. I'll bet you it is a Cadillac Deville, they have full LED turn/brakes. If designed right they last the life of the car. If you use an electronic flasher and not the add a load solution, they use less power. I haven't figured the amount, it's probably trivial. However, they're mostly bling. RW |
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04-18-2005, 09:33 PM | #19 |
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Stock flasher can be modded for LED's...
I pulled the stock flasher at lunch today (2002 WRX). It is a Niles version. From the looks of it one could bridge one solder joint, and replace on resistor and be LED ready. However it is a surface mount resistor, and one would have to be really good at soldering to do it right. Probably not worth the trouble, but would fix it for < $1.
If anyone is interested I'll sacrifice mine in the name of progress. I checked our current aftermarket products and we do not have one that is LED ready. The one we do have still has the outage function. I'll keep my eyes open to see if there is another one on the market that would be a plug and go. Our aftermarket one could be modded with a through hole resistor for < $1. RW |
04-20-2005, 02:51 AM | #20 |
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Without having looked at the circuit or chips, I can assume that it works by sensing the current sent to the lamps via a "current sensing resistor". These are basically a low ohm resistor (less than 10 ohms typically) with a higher than typical wattage rating (1/4 watt or more).
The current going thru the resistor will generate a voltage drop (V=IR). If you cut the current in half (say you replace your incandescent bulbs with LED that draw 1/2 the current), then your voltage drop over the resistor will be half, showing like a blown blub and blinking quickly. So, all you have to do is replace the current sensing resistor with a proportionally larger value. So if its half the current, then double the resistance value - this will get the voltage drop to be the same. If there is more than one resistor on the board, its the resistor that is connected in series between the output connector and the relay OR it could be connected to the relay and the input power. Again, this is all theory without looking at the actual circuit. |
04-20-2005, 06:58 AM | #21 | |
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The easiest way is to eliminate the outage function, by shorting out the current sensing resistor, and changing another timing resistor. This will put the flasher in normal mode all the time. Either way you go, adding a load or changing the flasher you are going to lose the outage function. To keep outage with LED's requires an additional custom made electronic module. RW |
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