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Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 2:06 pm
by mitch_f1
So after doing this: viewtopic.php?f=57&t=45242&start=300#p676556, And despite the fact that all bulbs are working, the side that I modified is flashing faster than the side I didn't (which indicates that a bulb is blown)

My question then comes in two parts. First, what part of the circuit determines whether the bulb is blown or not (I thought it was just a continuity thing), second, is it possible to modify the circuit to override this?

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 2:42 pm
by wassup
This is a similar problem that those who use LED indicators face, the dreaded hyper blink.

Its not exactly continuity based, but rather load. In the case of using LED indicators the load generated by the efficient LED on the circuit is confused for a blown bulb.

Look up LED load resistor. This will likely solve your problem. :D

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 2:52 pm
by mitch_f1
Thanks.

SO after some rapid googling action (sounds sus, I know), I found these links:

Good schematic and explanation: http://www.matstrad.com/resistors_tech.php

Good DIY for making a load resistor: http://www.matstrad.com/resistors_tech.php
(although I want to find a better solution than electrical tape, as the resistors get quite warm when loaded, and could melt the tape)

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 3:48 pm
by wassup
youre welcome.

Google again and refer to google images. There are solutions out there that include the Blue wire spice's. These will be sufficient for your needs.. most places that sell these sell them as a kit. Just take note that not all places sell the kit in pairs. Once you have them its a 1 minute job and your done. Ive been using these for my rear indicators (on the Civic) for 4 years now and has worked flawlessly.

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 3:52 pm
by mitch_f1
So in terms of the power needed would I just make up the difference (21W is now 5W, so I would need a 15W resistor?)

Blue things, you mean the blue things here??
Image

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:32 pm
by wassup
You should'nt need to buy a specific load resistor to solve your problem as the hyper flash occurs when the load falls below a certain limit. having said this, youre best to send that query to one of the sites that youd consider buying from as youre now testing the limits of my knowledge.

The image below is how it looks on my Civic, although you cant see the load resistor its pretty much identical to your picture
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/84/img0067ur2.jpg/

Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:38 pm
by vrmmmpshhh
If its for an NA do the DIY flasher mod its easy to do and works.

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:31 am
by mitch_f1
So I'm looking at the resistors. Went into Jaycar, and they didnt have anything, so have had to go to ebay. I have found a couple, both 15w ceramic resistors, one has a resistance of 12M ohm, the other is 5.5ohm. What is the difference here?

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 11:06 am
by Zcootz
Super cheap have the led load resistors for a couple of bucks

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 11:42 am
by mitch_f1
but they are 25W, which I think is too much? There is only a 15w difference in the bulbs, and having a 25w one would be too much resistance??

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:12 pm
by Caffeine
mitch_f1 wrote:but they are 25W, which I think is too much? There is only a 15w difference in the bulbs, and having a 25w one would be too much resistance??


The resistance is independent of the watt rating. The watt rating determines how much power the resistor can safely dissipate. More W rating = better (generally)

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:15 pm
by mitch_f1
So you are saying that a 25W resistor will deliver the required resistance to tell the car that there is a working bulb in the socket, while not affecting the brightness of the bulb?

Re: Indicator is flashing too fast

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 2:08 pm
by Caffeine
The W rating tells you nothing of the resistance.