[Shotimes] how do flashers work?

[James F. Ryan III]

> How do flashers work?

> When you switch from incandescent to LED lamps, there is less current
draw,
> and the unit flashes faster.  Why?

Bi-metallic strip (just like older thermostats).  Basically, the 2 strips
touch at the top.  As current flows up one strip then down the other, they
are heated.  This heat causes one strip to bend away from the other, thereby
breaking the circuit.  As the strip cools it "snaps" back into place
completing the circuit and also giving you the audible "click".

The LED's only draw a fraction of the current, compared to the incandescent
bulb(s) they are replacing.  Less current means less heat, which means the
strip will cool and snap back much quicker.  Hence, your LED's have a much
faster flashing rate.


> I've been told to switch to a heavy-duty flasher.  Okay, but that seems
> counter-intuitive.  Why would a flasher designed for heavier loads (e.g.
> trailer) be better for a circuit with less-than-stock load?

Don't know who told you that.  You are correct though, when you add more
lights - like on a trailer, the increased current flow really heats up the
strips and causes one of them to stay in the 'bent' position much longer -
producing a slower flashing rate.  The HD flasher has larger strips that can
take more heat and don't stay in the 'bent' position for that long,
producing a 'normal' flash rate.

Like I told Ian -

using bulbs --> you need an old-school thermal flasher

using LED's --> you need an electronic flasher

OR

Leave the old-school flasher in place and wire an 1156 (or whatever are
tailight bulbs are) in parallel with the LEDs cluster.  You could mount the
1156 inside the trunk.  Let's assume that the original 1156 drew 1 Amp and
produced a satisfactory flash rate.  Let's assume the LED cluster draws 0.20
Amps and produces a very high flash rate.  If you wire them in parallel,
then the total current draw will be 1 + .020 = 1.20 Amps, the increased
current should produce a slightly lower flash rate than stock.  Just a
thought.



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