When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi 12V gurus,
My TA has aftermarket sequential LED park lights and tail lights. They work great except they flash too fast for my liking. My original flasher was replaced with at least four different brand electronic flashers which all flash at the same rate. Is there some type of timer or unit I could have wired in line to slow down the flash? Here is a link so you can see what I'm talking about. Thank you in advance.
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
A search for "adjustable flasher" on Amazon produces a number of results which likely will help. One I saw is designed for LEDs and allows adjustment as low as 50 flashes per minute (less than once per second) which should be good for sequential signals.
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by wannafbody
I used some Auxito canbus bulbs from the Big A site for the front turn signals and they flash normally.
The issue here is not the common problem of switching to LED bulbs causing the signals to stop flashing (they don't flash too fast like on newer cars). This is a case of the normal flashing speed being too fast for the sequential rear signals... each flash is too short for all three bulbs to illuminate slowly enough to create the sequential appearance that was reintroduced in 2010 on Mustangs and has been copied by many other makes and models since (the originals were Thunderbirds and Cougars back in the 60s).
The law requires signals to flash between 60 and 120 flashes per minute with 70 flashes per minute being the most common speed on domestic vehicles. Slowing that to 60 FPM or even a little slower (no cop will ever ticket for slow signals - besides, it is unclear whether the law applies only to manufacturers and not to modifications made by owners) would make the sequential signals much more distinctive.
There are ways to modify a flasher to slow its flash rate, but why bother when you can buy an adjustable flasher for under $10?
I agree with everything you said. Actually, thanks to you I got this far. I tried at least four different brands of electronic flashers from Amazon and they all flash basically the same. I was wondering if a stereo shop had some kind of module or I have to have them modify the flasher. The last one I put was this easy products performance unit, here are the specs.Our Universal Low Current Flasher Module is microprocessor based and utilizes the crystal clock inside to maintain a very accurate pulse rate of 1.6 Hz. There are no outside influences to that pulse rate.
The issue here is not the common problem of switching to LED bulbs causing the signals to stop flashing (they don't flash too fast like on newer cars). This is a case of the normal flashing speed being too fast for the sequential rear signals... each flash is too short for all three bulbs to illuminate slowly enough to create the sequential appearance that was reintroduced in 2010 on Mustangs and has been copied by many other makes and models since (the originals were Thunderbirds and Cougars back in the 60s).
The law requires signals to flash between 60 and 120 flashes per minute with 70 flashes per minute being the most common speed on domestic vehicles. Slowing that to 60 FPM or even a little slower (no cop will ever ticket for slow signals - besides, it is unclear whether the law applies only to manufacturers and not to modifications made by owners) would make the sequential signals much more distinctive.
There are ways to modify a flasher to slow its flash rate, but why bother when you can buy an adjustable flasher for under $10?
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Ordinary LED flashers are designed to maintain a steady flash rate regardless of any combination of incandescent and LED bulbs, but that rate will be the standard 70 flashes per minute regardless of brand. They won't even give any indication of burned out bulbs, so you check them every once in a while.
I'm not supposed to do this because forum rules prohibit posting links to non-sponsors, but I doubt anyone will object to an Amazon link in this case. This is an adjustable LED flasher that will allow slowing flash rate to as low as 50 flashes per minute...
... $11 for a pair so that you can slow your hazard flashers as well as your turn signals. Setting them to 60 FPS or slower should take care of the problem nicely. They are simple plug and play although the shape is wrong to fit the factory mount - you can always just zip tie them in place.
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Not according to the text of the listing. It says 50-200 times/minute. But you're right - I don't know whether to trust the text or the images (it also says 70-200 right on the side of the flasher). This is the "new” version... I linked it because it has the adjustment **** on top. It might be safer to get the old version that requires a screwdriver to turn the adjuster located between the terminals on the bottom... not as convenient but how often would you need to adjust once you've got it the way you want? It clearly says 50-200 in both the text and images.
I would not be surprised if I tried it because I tried so many of them. My first choice would be to have my stereo guy add a resistor to the flasher. I think I saw two different ways of doing it I'm trying to find them now.
I found this one which I tried a while ago. I'll try it again just to see if it was adjusted wrong but I think it's still too fast. What's weird is my friend has the same car and unit witch is definitely slower.
Update, my guy told me to get a three-prong flasher which AutoZone did not have, He's going to mount it remotely and tweak them. I just have not had time.
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.
Flash too fast 
