Need turn signal flasher help
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IndyG3
bigredlaguna
The Dude
Biomedtech
ant7377
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G3GM :: G3 Tech :: Electrical
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Need turn signal flasher help
by JiMi_DRiX Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:05 am
I'm looking at changing my bulbs out to LED's, especially since my tail lights arent that bright and I've always been worried some jackass will rear end me. I need to get an electronic flasher, but I dont know what the right one is.
This is a link to the ones superbrightleds.com have.. does anyone know which will work?
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=/flashers.htm
This is a link to the ones superbrightleds.com have.. does anyone know which will work?
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=/flashers.htm
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by 1973 454 MONTE Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:31 am
i use 2157's for my bulbs
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by JiMi_DRiX Thu Jan 27, 2011 1:00 pm
1973 454 MONTE wrote: i use 2157's for my bulbs
Hmm, Maybe thats an optional solution. Im pretty sure I have 1157's in mine still.
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by ant7377 Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:11 pm
You know you have to splice this little doodad in line for the LED bulbs to work .I believe its called an unloader. The electronic flasher alone wouldnt work for me .Unless I did something wrong.
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by Biomedtech Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:28 pm
Finally a thread that's more into my realm.....
1st off heres how the "old" style thermal flasher works...
When you push the turn-signal stalk down, the thermal flasher connects to the turn-signal bulbs by way of the turn-signal switch. This completes the circuit, allowing current to flow. Initially, the spring steel does not touch the contact, so the only thing that draws power is the resistor. Current flows through the resistive wire, heating up the smaller piece of spring steel and then continuing on to the turn-signal lights. At this point, the current is so small that the lights won't even glow dimly.
After less than a second, the small piece of spring steel heats up enough that it expands and straightens out the larger, curved piece of spring steel. This forces the curved spring steel into the contact so that current flows to the signal lights unimpeded by the resistor. With almost no current passing through the resistor, the spring steel quickly cools, bending back away from the contact and breaking the circuit. The cycle then starts over. This happens at a rate of one to two times per second.
Now when you replace your old 1157 bulbs with LED ones you have significantly decreased the current demand in the circuit which causes the resistive wire in the thermal flasher to barely heat up at all.
Electronic (solid state) flashers:
Solid state flashers are similar to the thermal flashers with the exception that a solid state switch (e.g. MOSFET) is used for lamp switching in place of
the electromechanical relay.
Now be careful when you purchase an electronic flasher unit. Most sold for automotive use still are looking for a higher current demand because of the incandescent lamps. (ever notice that when you have a bulb burnt out in newer cars the remaining bulbs flash faster?)
The unloaders mentioned above are usually just an additional resistor wired in series to increase the current draw to make them flash normally with LED bulbs, these can be a hazard because this resistor is going to get hot so you want to keep it away from anything combustible.
The safer alternative is to buy an electronic flasher that is made for LED's like this one....
http://www.anythingtruck.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Category_Code=HTP-LITE&Product_Code=580-44891
It will fit in the round hole in your fuse block and you don't need the extra resistor.
1st off heres how the "old" style thermal flasher works...
When you push the turn-signal stalk down, the thermal flasher connects to the turn-signal bulbs by way of the turn-signal switch. This completes the circuit, allowing current to flow. Initially, the spring steel does not touch the contact, so the only thing that draws power is the resistor. Current flows through the resistive wire, heating up the smaller piece of spring steel and then continuing on to the turn-signal lights. At this point, the current is so small that the lights won't even glow dimly.
After less than a second, the small piece of spring steel heats up enough that it expands and straightens out the larger, curved piece of spring steel. This forces the curved spring steel into the contact so that current flows to the signal lights unimpeded by the resistor. With almost no current passing through the resistor, the spring steel quickly cools, bending back away from the contact and breaking the circuit. The cycle then starts over. This happens at a rate of one to two times per second.
Now when you replace your old 1157 bulbs with LED ones you have significantly decreased the current demand in the circuit which causes the resistive wire in the thermal flasher to barely heat up at all.
Electronic (solid state) flashers:
Solid state flashers are similar to the thermal flashers with the exception that a solid state switch (e.g. MOSFET) is used for lamp switching in place of
the electromechanical relay.
Now be careful when you purchase an electronic flasher unit. Most sold for automotive use still are looking for a higher current demand because of the incandescent lamps. (ever notice that when you have a bulb burnt out in newer cars the remaining bulbs flash faster?)
The unloaders mentioned above are usually just an additional resistor wired in series to increase the current draw to make them flash normally with LED bulbs, these can be a hazard because this resistor is going to get hot so you want to keep it away from anything combustible.
The safer alternative is to buy an electronic flasher that is made for LED's like this one....
http://www.anythingtruck.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Category_Code=HTP-LITE&Product_Code=580-44891
It will fit in the round hole in your fuse block and you don't need the extra resistor.
Biomedtech- G3GM Member
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by The Dude Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:52 am
Great info Chuck! I moved this to the G3tech section & gave you some street cred. This will definitely come in handy for others later on.
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by JiMi_DRiX Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:25 pm
Thanks for the informative post biomedtech! I think I'm going to try Chris' idea first with the 2157's and see how they are. Last time I changed bulbs in that car I was in high school. There are all different ones in the tail lights lol.
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by bigredlaguna Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:17 am
How clean is the reflector? If the seal is compromised, dust can get inside and reduce the reflectivity of the chrome, or the chrome plating could be pitted or flaking off. I've had a couple of cars that just cleaning the inside of the housing makes a lot of difference.
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by IndyG3 Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:35 am
Has anyone done a full LED setup on their breaklights? I've been interested in something like that but I kinda wanna see what it looks like first.
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by JiMi_DRiX Tue Feb 01, 2011 1:58 pm
Is there a paint you can use to touch up the silver reflective part? I'll have to clean mine out too.
INDY, I had put red LED's in my tail lights once, not knowing the turn signals would work. But as far as light output goes, it looked good. My tail lights back then were old and faded on the tops. The red leds made them light up like new again. But I had to return the bulbs since the signals were inop.
INDY, I had put red LED's in my tail lights once, not knowing the turn signals would work. But as far as light output goes, it looked good. My tail lights back then were old and faded on the tops. The red leds made them light up like new again. But I had to return the bulbs since the signals were inop.
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by IndyG3 Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:01 pm
JiMi_DRiX wrote:Is there a paint you can use to touch up the silver reflective part? I'll have to clean mine out too.
INDY, I had put red LED's in my tail lights once, not knowing the turn signals would work. But as far as light output goes, it looked good. My tail lights back then were old and faded on the tops. The red leds made them light up like new again. But I had to return the bulbs since the signals were inop.
Did you ever find a solution to that, or did you go back to the original setup? I know my dad has a set of LED brake lights and turn signals on his VTX, so there's definitely a solution for the turn signals...
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by orange Juiced Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:29 pm
Jimi, other then silver paint, or some very expensive plastic chrome plating, what about some chrome/mirror tape? Might look funky all pieced together but once under the lens u wouldn't be able to tell and u would get that bright reflection off of it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chrome-Mirror-Vinyl-Tape-3-wide-x-25-feet-Silver-/370196507537?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item56316e6b91
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chrome-Mirror-Vinyl-Tape-3-wide-x-25-feet-Silver-/370196507537?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item56316e6b91
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by JiMi_DRiX Wed Feb 02, 2011 6:10 pm
IndyG3 wrote:JiMi_DRiX wrote:Is there a paint you can use to touch up the silver reflective part? I'll have to clean mine out too.
INDY, I had put red LED's in my tail lights once, not knowing the turn signals would work. But as far as light output goes, it looked good. My tail lights back then were old and faded on the tops. The red leds made them light up like new again. But I had to return the bulbs since the signals were inop.
Did you ever find a solution to that, or did you go back to the original setup? I know my dad has a set of LED brake lights and turn signals on his VTX, so there's definitely a solution for the turn signals...
You can get the correct flasher or resistors to wire in-line with the turn signals. I just didnt know that back then. I'm sure he's done one of the two.
orange Juiced wrote:Jimi, other then silver paint, or some very expensive plastic chrome plating, what about some chrome/mirror tape? Might look funky all pieced together but once under the lens u wouldn't be able to tell and u would get that bright reflection off of it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chrome-Mirror-Vinyl-Tape-3-wide-x-25-feet-Silver-/370196507537?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item56316e6b91
That would probably work. I dont remember what kind of shape mine are in, but that would probably give an even better reflection tan the stock silver paint either way. I'll have to see if I can find some and try it out.
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by JiMi_DRiX Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:11 pm
Chris, did you mean 2357's? I got some bulbs today and thats all I could find, not any 2157's.
Juiced, I found some reflective silver paint, its $6. My only concern is it holding up to the heat of the bulbs. I might get some and try it out.
Juiced, I found some reflective silver paint, its $6. My only concern is it holding up to the heat of the bulbs. I might get some and try it out.
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by 1973 454 MONTE Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:17 pm
put them in one side and you should see a difference against the 1157.
i had 2157's in it at one time.
i do have the 2357's also in mine now
i also have the 2357 amber bulbs in my front marker lights
i had 2157's in it at one time.
i do have the 2357's also in mine now
i also have the 2357 amber bulbs in my front marker lights
1973 454 MONTE- Donating Member
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by 1973 454 MONTE Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:00 pm
JiMi_DRiX wrote:Is there a paint you can use to touch up the silver reflective part? I'll have to clean mine out too.
INDY, I had put red LED's in my tail lights once, not knowing the turn signals would work. But as far as light output goes, it looked good. My tail lights back then were old and faded on the tops. The red leds made them light up like new again. But I had to return the bulbs since the signals were inop.
http://www.eastwood.com/almost-chrome-aerosol-paint.html
1973 454 MONTE- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 36
Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by JB2wheeler Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:26 pm
I painted part of my front bumper with that and you sure could tell it was not chrome, but when I started painting at the bumper guard and did a whole section instead of just a patch up job it did not look TOO bad. JB
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by JiMi_DRiX Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:45 pm
Yeah I got the 2357A's for the front turn signals too. I'll try to take some pictures of the interior stuff I've been finishing up. I got my dash to finally fit, and I did some nice work restoring the gauge bezel. I'm waiting on a few things before its all done. Also got 73 SS wheel that I cleaned up and made look pretty good. It was very very dirty! I have a lot of catching up to do, like usual. If Mike from Poland is reading this, I havent forgot about you either! I found a few more parts you might be interested in.
JiMi_DRiX- G3GM Enthusiast
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by 1973 454 MONTE Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:01 pm
JiMi_DRiX wrote:Yeah I got the 2357A's for the front turn signals too. I'll try to take some pictures of the interior stuff I've been finishing up. I got my dash to finally fit, and I did some nice work restoring the gauge bezel. I'm waiting on a few things before its all done. Also got 73 SS wheel that I cleaned up and made look pretty good. It was very very dirty! I have a lot of catching up to do, like usual. If Mike from Poland is reading this, I havent forgot about you either! I found a few more parts you might be interested in.
SS wheel? is it the 4 spoke camaro kind?
this is the wheel i bought for my 86 caprice.
1973 454 MONTE- Donating Member
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by JiMi_DRiX Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:17 am
No, its the Chevelle/Camino one. Its black, and I believe the wheel is pretty much the same as the Monte's, but the horn pad is different. It was gross, but it cleaned up really nice.
I also found an SS shift knob button a year or so ago too.
I also found an SS shift knob button a year or so ago too.
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by orange Juiced Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:15 am
JiMi_DRiX wrote:Chris, did you mean 2357's? I got some bulbs today and thats all I could find, not any 2157's.
Juiced, I found some reflective silver paint, its $6. My only concern is it holding up to the heat of the bulbs. I might get some and try it out.
might work, yeah the heat could affect the reflective finish. I also found this chrome in a can, not to crazy about the price.
http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killercans/kc/killerchrome.htm
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Re: Need turn signal flasher help
by JiMi_DRiX Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:03 am
wow... looks like cool stuff though. The paint that Chris posted a link to is specific for turn signal housings, so I'll probably get that if I cant find it locally anywhere. Its freakin' COLD out today and the next couple, so I wont be touching the car any time soon...
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