Flasher for LED turn signals
- Thread starter larryf
- Start date
Wilbur
Senior Member
I have 6 volt LEDs on the rear of my car and regular incadesent bulb signals on the front. I did manage to find an electronic 6 volt flasher from the Volkswagon parts people. However, it wouldn't work with the model A being a positive ground system. What I ended up doing was taking a standard 6 volt Signal Stat mechanical/ thermal flasher, model 181, and prying it open. The metal "can" comes off and inside of there is a bi-metallic strip and some contact points. I hooked it up and made small adjustments to the bend of the metal strip, thus affecting the load required to break the contact and make it flash. You can do it fairly easily. Without the front turn signals, the LEDs by themselves would not make enough heat in the flasher to open the points. You could also put a bulb under the dash, by the steering column, that lights up by your feet as an indicator, just to add a little more load to the flasher. If you can't find a 6v flasher, email me. I have a bunch of them.
Patrick L.
Well-known member
I doubt you'll find an electronic 6v flasher that will work.
A 535 NOS [ new units are junk] will work fine if you add enough resistance in the front lights. Its not hard to find higher resistance/ candle power bulbs.
Some folks add resistors to the LEDs, but, I find changing the front bulbs easier. And, they end up being brighter, I think thats a good thing.
I didn't ask what switch you're using. The 535 is a 3 prong.
A 535 NOS [ new units are junk] will work fine if you add enough resistance in the front lights. Its not hard to find higher resistance/ candle power bulbs.
Some folks add resistors to the LEDs, but, I find changing the front bulbs easier. And, they end up being brighter, I think thats a good thing.
I didn't ask what switch you're using. The 535 is a 3 prong.
wmws
BANNED
I just finisher putting LED rear only turn signals on my 6 volt system. I used a plain old 535 thermal flasher with an incandescent bulb wired in PARALLEL with the LED. It must be in parallel to work right. The incandescent bulbs are under the dash so they flash with the turn signal and are a reminder that they are on.
Jim M
Senior Member
I have a flasher unit from Signal Dynamics that is designed for Motorcycles 12V but works fine with my 6V. It does require negative ground so you would have to run separate wires from the battery to the unit. I mounted mine just under the dash so the wires were no problem. One thing I really like is you can have the rear signal lights come on with the brake light for more visibility and the correct side will turn to signal light even if you have your brake applied. Have not finalized the installation but tests have worked great. Where did you find 6V LED bulbs. I have some LED "strips" that are designed to mount on the bumper brackets. The look great but require around 15V to work so they are no good for this unit. What are you using for the sockets? Jim
Patrick L.
Well-known member
Seems to me from your description that the lights work just as rear lights are supposed to work.
Most or all the ' A ' vendors have 6v LEDs.
A make and model number of your flasher would be nice.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
About 10 years ago I made my own electronic flasher from parts found at the local electronic surplus store. Unfortunately I got the last relay like this, but you can experiment with different relays. My relay has a 150 ohm coil, so if you change relays you may have to change the capacitor or resistor to make the flash rate what you want. More microfarads will slow the flash rate.
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Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
Patrick L.
Well-known member
The EF33W seems to be something new. The specs indicate that it might work.
A year or so ago I don't think the suppliers I looked at had it.
I have an EF33, and, it won't work on 6v.
A year or so ago I don't think the suppliers I looked at had it.
I have an EF33, and, it won't work on 6v.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
I forgot to mention in my homemade flasher in reply #10 that it will flash the same with any load from 0 amps up to the amp rating of the relay contacts.
Randy in ca
Well-known member
Unless I missed it, I don't recall seeing the type of flasher you'd like to use, 2-lug or 3-lug? I purchased a 2-lug, 6v, positive ground LED flasher from a company in England. Not sure about others, but this company's 3-lug flasher could only be used with negative ground systems.