O.K. since we are on the subject. I have LEDs bulbs for front & rear turn signals (yellow) and ALL brake lights (I have replaced the third brake lights already-BRIGHT!), rear fog and backup lights too. All these bulbs are gathering dust because I have tried it and NOTHING. I have replaced the flasher with an electronic one, thought that would do it.
Anyway, I have not been able to find an answer. So far the best I have gotten is to butcher the system by installing load resistors - which I have, but wondered if there was a more elegant and less-invasive alternative….well Tony or Meir - you guys up for it?
You can PM me if you do not want to hi-jack the thread but with LEDs gaining in popularity AND them being far brighter, if you buys the right ones, I wold think more Pcar peeps would be using them. Maybe I'm just thick about this. Would the diagram for the 914 work? Meir, you have more selection that Radio Shack!
What your describing and researching the web, I'm up for the challenge..
I might as well put my electronics skills to use.. I think a similar mod like the 914 is probably the resolution but would have to put it on the bench to reproduce it.. I have a EFL-3 and some LED's, let me see what I can replicate on the bench..
T
Ok, I found out some interesting info on the EFL-3 LED flasher..
It flashes just fine provided the LED it's powering has an integrated resistor.
I tried it with a 12V LED string without an integrated resistor and the LED's are dimly lit and notice a slight flash, but not bright enough to illuminate the LED's brightly.
It's almost like the integrate circuit within the relay must sense a certain resistance load before it will fully engage.
My guess without reverse engineering the relay components it has a current sense circuit in it.
The next variable is calculating the amount of resistance needed without drawing the current down too low towards the LED..
There has to be another 12V LED Flasher module that doesn't require resistance.
Reading the LED's without the integrated resistor read infinity, like an open circuit.
Good work BTW. I understand about half of it...kidding. You ARE way over my head on the circuit thing. Don't know if this will help you solve it but the LED Mfr. say to use some load resistors in the circuit if it does not function with a flasher thingy. I have several of these load resistors - they are surprisingly large and must be, I guess, to turn electrical energy in to heat(?)
The load resistors I have but am unsure if it will even work if I use them are: 25watt and 6 ohm & 50watt and 6 ohm. Don't know if that helps. The electronic flasher was picked up at NAPA. It says for use with LEDs, WTH? Could it be another flasher or circuit that is hijacking all our good work?
I looked all over for answers but have yet to see any way to solve this LED debacle. I bought all these parts and hate to not use them. Especially since they would make our cars looks SO GOOD.
Don't worry Fury, they will NOT LOOK as good as yours! Your car is unique, for now. I may just dump the single bulb junk and get ones like yours…unless you can figure it out though! he-he (NOTE: that was an attempt at motivation)
Thanks for the deep research either way - I was lucky to get someone to respond much less do clinical trials!
"It takes a smart person to make our cars shine, even if it is not the owner!"
Thanks Again!
__________________
2002 Porsche Boxtser S - Silver & Chrome - Died from IMS failure AFTER IMS was replaced!
Well I guess we successfully high jacked this thread with LED flasher talk.
Sorry..
My further researched turned up some interesting facts about 12V LED flasher relays..
Some interesting items I discovered: (What happened to the good ol days..)
Traditional flashers for filament bulbs can not work in LED circuits, therefore they have introduced a LED flasher units with Failure Detection (load sensitive) and without Failure Detection (non-load sensitive). International regulations requires the Failure Detection of a lamp for vehicles driven on public roads.
The flasher warn the driver by increasing the flash rate of the direction indicators lights or by switching off an indicator light on the dashboard (trailers).
They have developed custom LED Flasher units for small OE manufacturers of Hybrid/Electric cars.
The failure detection is available also on hybrid indicator circuits fitted with LED and traditional filament bulbs.
You have two options: Option 1.
Since it appears your purchased a (load sensitive) 12V LED flasher relay, it will require a load resistor across the LED bulb on each side. (Left & Right) The load resistor will simulate a 21 watts bulb and the LED flasher relay will work just fine.
The inherent problem with load resistors - They get hot, hence the heat sink enclosing the resistor is in. They should not be placed close to plastic or carpet. Now it may not present too much of a heat issue when installed as turn signals, given the turn signals duration. Emergency flasher is another concern..
Option 2.
Purchase a (non-load sensitive) 12V LED flasher.
So far every non-load sensitive LED flasher relay has a 4th wire coming out of the top of the relay to be terminated to ground, This negates the simple plug & play of the 3 pin relay into the car fuse box.
It appears the Aussie's have addressed these issues since they have strict flash rate requirements. ADR13
When searching for non-load sensitive 12V flasher relays I found the majority of suppliers are in Australia.
Disclaimer:
I cannot validate that the (non-load sensitive) 12V LED flasher relay will work or not in the P-car.
In theory, it should..
T
EFL-3 12V LED flasher test with a 12V LED with a integrated resistor. (load-sensitive)
FYI:
I was able to test this relay on a non-integrated resistor LED but didn't capture it on video.
The effect was a real dim LED, with a extremely dim flash. Not bright enough to function.
Porsche Boxster Silver
"Bernie" - PONZI that 'made off' with my money!
Hybrid Mode
