How do I make 10W Blinkers...Blink??

Can anyone tell me what I need to do to make 10W blinkers work on my bike?

They light up but do not flash.

I know they are supposed to be 27W (I think) to make them flash, but I have read somewhere (but can't find it again) that you can put a resistor into the circuit to make it flash.

Where does the resistor go (series or parrallel) & what size do I need??

Thanks in advance,

Tim

 

Easiest thing to do is replace the stock flasher with an electronic, 2-pin, flasher unit.

Downside to this is you lose the self-cancelling feature.

 

Thanks tskaz,

I would prefer to keep the self cancelling feature if at all possible.

Any other thoughts??

Cheers,

Tim.

 

The resistor(s) need to be parallel.

You need to add 17 watts load for each bulb, or 34 total for the side. You can do that by adding a 10 ohm resistor at the lamps, or one 5 ohm resistor at the flasher output.

Here is the problem though: You've got to dump 34 watts of power which is a lot of heat. Your typical electronic resistor is rated at 3/4 watt or less and would just go POOF. You'll need a wire coil type resistor.

There are companies that make devices to do this. I think they're called "load levelers". You can google it up.

Somebody on here worked out how to use a relay to make an electronic flasher work with the canceller. Personally, I'd try and find that.

 

Thanks MiCarl,

I'll keep looking & hoping.

I have a mate who is an auto electrician but he is away for another couple of weeks. If I can't fix it myself (with the help of you guys) at least he might be able to sort me out when he gets back.

Cheers,

Tim

 

you can add resistors or look at this thread http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1 ... relay.html same principal with low watt bulbs as leds. I have built the relay setup and have blinking leds but haven't tested the auto cancel with it yet.

 

Do some elective surgery and graft some 27 Watt bulbs into your housing.
You get a brighter light and normal function.
Add ally foil for a reflector.

 

Ohms law: R = (U*U)/P => R = (12v*12v) / 34w => R = 4.25 ohm, 34W
(this is a general equation, just plug in the amount of watts you want the resistors to consume)
But a flash unit is only working 'half' the time so approximately 17 W.
So I would buy 2 resistors each 2.2 ohms, 10W and connect them in series. (sums to: 4.4 ohm, 20W. As close as it gets with standard values)
Of cause this is only one side (L or R).
(So all in all you have to buy 4 resistors)
AND
connect these resistors in parallel with the 10 w Blinkers:
L:
ground <---2.2ohm---2.2ohm---> L flasher switch
ground <--- 10W blinker front ---> L flasher switch
ground <--- 10W blinker rear ---> L flasher switch
R:
ground <---2.2ohm---2.2ohm---> R flasher switch
ground <--- 10W blinker front ---> R flasher switch
ground <--- 10W blinker rear ---> R flasher switch

It looks more confusing than it is!
You could place these resistors in the headlight and connect them with a wire to the front blinker wire, L and R respectively: