Electronic Flashers, load resistors, solving the "Fast
Flash" problem.
When using LED lamps to
replace the incandescent stop/tail/turn lamps on your motorized vehicle,
you will need to replace the turn signal and 4 way flasher unit with
an "electronic" style flasher. This will be necessary because the
very low power consumption of LED lamps will not allow the thermal
(mechanical) style flasher unit to work correctly, so the flasher
unit does not activate the turn signals or 4 way flashers.
Prior to ordering our LED
lamps, you may want to visit your local auto parts store and inquire
about the availability of an electronic flasher for your specific
vehicle.
Many vehicles that use the common 2 or 3 pin stlye flasher can be
upgraded to an electronic style flasher. The two pin style is part
number EL12, the three pin is part number EL13.
It is not
necessary to replace the flasher unit when installing LED lights on
a trailer.
Jeep TJs use
two styles of flashers, depending on the year.
- 97-00 use
a style that can be easily modified by cuting a circuit trace inside
on the circuit board. Write up at: Stu
Olson's Jeep
tech website
- 01-06 use
a stlye that requires soldering in a small relay that bypasses the
lamp outage detection circuitry. The 01-06 style flasher is available
from us in a version specifically manufactured to work with LEDs
- it has the relay built in. It can be ordered
here.
More tech info on flashers
for Jeep TJs & LJs: Stu Olson's flasher
FAQ
Some retailers recommend
using load resistors to solve the fast flash problem associated with
converting to LEDs. While this a "solution", it's not the
most desired, or safe way of slowing down the fast fash of LEDs. Having
a large heat generating load resistor free-floating in the area behind
the tail lights doesn't sound too appealing. It can come in to contact
with other wires and melt their insulation, creating a fire hazard.
Resistors also tend to change resistance as they heat up, leading
to an inconsistant flash rate if the turn signal is used for more
than several minutes.
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