Note to LED users... Small problem, with Flasher controlled idiot lights |
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Note to LED users... Small problem, with Flasher controlled idiot lights |
Qarl |
Oct 18 2004, 09:05 PM
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#1
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Shriveled member Group: Benefactors Posts: 5,233 Joined: 8-February 03 From: Florida Member No.: 271 Region Association: None |
It seems that the LED lights have a small problem when used with flasher controlled idiot lights (like the turn signal indicator or the emergency brake indicator).
The system doesn't recognize that the bulb is there since the LED uses such low voltage. I am going to figure out a way to place a resistor across the bulb to simulate the load of the bulb. I will let you know what I find out. Regards, Qarl P.S. Engineering has been a bit of a challenge as I don't really have a car that is functioning.... |
Demick |
Oct 18 2004, 10:43 PM
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#2
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Ernie made me do it! Group: Benefactors Posts: 2,312 Joined: 6-February 03 From: Pleasanton, CA Member No.: 257 |
I checked my instruments, and many of my indicator lights use a different bulb anyway - so the LED ones won't fit.
Besides, I don't see muvh value in using LED bulbs for the idiot lights and indicators. The regular bulbs work fine (and are rarely on anyway) and since most are already colored you can't easily change the color even if you wanted to. So I am just going to replace the instrument backlight bulbs with the LED versions and leave all of the indicator bulbs as-is. Demick |
Qarl |
Oct 18 2004, 11:05 PM
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#3
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Shriveled member Group: Benefactors Posts: 5,233 Joined: 8-February 03 From: Florida Member No.: 271 Region Association: None |
I think the solution is going to be to place a 100 ohm resistor across the bulb. Connect one end to the positive lead and the other end to ground.
The stock bulb is 2 watts. My multimeter isn't working and I can't measure the resistance of the LED bulb. (If I even can measure it... since it is a diode). I've never understood diodes. |
sechszylinder |
Oct 19 2004, 01:33 AM
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#4
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Member Group: Members Posts: 247 Joined: 9-April 03 From: /earth/europe/germany/berlin Member No.: 545 Region Association: None |
just another idea : you can use a bulb as the resistor across the led-bulb (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
just kidding ... Benno |
bondo |
Oct 19 2004, 01:37 AM
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#5
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Practicing my perpendicular parking Group: Members Posts: 4,277 Joined: 19-April 03 From: Los Osos, CA Member No.: 587 Region Association: Central California |
To measure the effective resistance of the LED bulb you'd need to power it and measure the current. but it doesn't really matter, rounding it to zero will probably work fine. I bet either of those resistances will work, they may just alter the flash rate slightly.
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bob91403 |
Oct 19 2004, 02:55 AM
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#6
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 618 Joined: 15-September 04 From: Los Angeles, CA Member No.: 2,763 |
Gee, thanks a whole lot! I put mine in as soon as I got them. E brake works OK. Turn signals don't. It's nice to know there's nothing wrong with my car. Now I just have to go back and put the old bulbs back in. FPITA. It would have been nice if you had checked this, before I bought bulbs that I now have no use for. I didn't want to ask about the problem. I figured that, soon enough, there would be some mention of this problem if everyone else was experiencing it. I like the lamps. Thanks. As for your research and possible solutions, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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Qarl |
Oct 19 2004, 07:27 AM
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#7
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Shriveled member Group: Benefactors Posts: 5,233 Joined: 8-February 03 From: Florida Member No.: 271 Region Association: None |
Try 100 ohm resistor across the bulb... 2 watts. Either get four 1/2 watt resistors at radio shack, or find a 2 watt resistor at an electronics place.
I will be making a solution available. Previous purchasers can get it at my cost, or I will post the simple plans. One end of the resistor goes to the positive lead of the bulb... the other goes to ground. Bob91403.... It's hard to engineer this without a working car! :finger2: ™ Be glad I was able to get them friggin made! |
nein14 |
Oct 19 2004, 10:04 AM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 838 Joined: 6-February 03 From: USA Member No.: 262 |
Karl, you did a great job engineering the LED bulbs for us. I put mine in and they look great! The cost was excellent , don't pay attention assholes that complain about a good deal!!
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Qarl |
Oct 19 2004, 12:38 PM
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#9
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Shriveled member Group: Benefactors Posts: 5,233 Joined: 8-February 03 From: Florida Member No.: 271 Region Association: None |
No assholes here... just friends...
Bob's comment was not taken as an offense remark... notice his smiley after he gave me the finger? The solution is pretty straight forward. I will probably make some plug and play solutions for those that want to use the LEDs for the blinking idiot lights. Cost should be nominal (my hard cost plus S/H). Regards, Qarl |
bob91403 |
Oct 19 2004, 02:44 PM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 618 Joined: 15-September 04 From: Los Angeles, CA Member No.: 2,763 |
QUOTE(Qarl @ Oct 19 2004, 11:38 AM) No assholes here... just friends... Bob's comment was not taken as an offense remark... notice his smiley after he gave me the finger? The solution is pretty straight forward. I will probably make some plug and play solutions for those that want to use the LEDs for the blinking idiot lights. Cost should be nominal (my hard cost plus S/H). Regards, Qarl No offense meant. I just don't think the solution is worth the trouble. Too easy to just put the regular bulbs back in the turn signals. I have a lot of spares now. Did some people have trouble with the Ebrake? Mine worked fine. For all your OTHER led lamps go to http://www.superbrightleds.com. About $100, to do the rest of the car. Thanks again, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) Qarl, they look great. nein14 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bootyshake.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) |
TimT |
Oct 19 2004, 03:05 PM
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#11
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retired Group: Members Posts: 4,033 Joined: 18-February 03 From: Wantagh, NY Member No.: 313 |
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bondo |
Oct 19 2004, 03:38 PM
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#12
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Practicing my perpendicular parking Group: Members Posts: 4,277 Joined: 19-April 03 From: Los Osos, CA Member No.: 587 Region Association: Central California |
There is still a benefit to using the LEDs for the trun signal indicator. If the bulb burns out the trun signals will quit working. The LED/resistor will never burn out, leaving you with more reliable turn signals.
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bob91403 |
Oct 19 2004, 04:11 PM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 618 Joined: 15-September 04 From: Los Angeles, CA Member No.: 2,763 |
The bulbs I took out are over 30yrs old. They may have dimmed a little, and gone a little more yellow, but they still work. It's hard to make it "more" reliable than that. Five minutes, a screwdriver, and all these spare bulbs. I don't think I have to worry about burned out bulbs. I'll let my great grandson change them. Nice bright surrounds again. The rest doesn't matter. LEDs are nice because of their longevity, but you won't need them in your coffin.
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JWest |
Oct 19 2004, 06:52 PM
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#14
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,662 Joined: 6-January 03 From: Fort Worth, TX Member No.: 97 Region Association: None |
OK, I hooked up a pot across the bulbs, and the turn signal flasher starts working with 90K ohms across the bulb.
The brake flasher needs more current and everything I had to test with was too low of wattage, but it works fine with the original bulb back in line (of course). So Qarl's solution of 100 ohm 2 watt resistor or equivalent should work fine. |
jgullock |
Oct 20 2004, 05:39 AM
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#15
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 37 Joined: 19-August 03 From: Warner Robins, GA Member No.: 1,045 |
Can also change to an electronic flasher relay/cube/whatever.
http://faq.auto.light.tripod.com/signal-leds.htm |
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