Adding variable resistor to Flasher Relay?

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:30 pm

Hi,

I've wanted to add led bulbs to my lude for the indicators for ages, but dont want to hack on the resistor packs to the wiring everywhere.

I found a post on the internet where someone modified the stock honda (6 pin) flasher relay by adding resistors to the special bar (which acts as a resistor) in the relay. I think its a Ridgeline forum somewhere. The problem he had was working out what resisters and how many to add to slow the flashing interval down for 2 or more led bulbs.

Anyhow, I have a spare flasher relay which I opened up to find it works on the same principal. I was wondering if this idea could be extended to include a variable resistor which could be adjusted externally to "fix" the flashing to the correct timings based on whether leds or normal filament bulbs are in use.

I have some pics of the inside of the Lude relay which I will post up laterz...

I thought this would be a great idea, as it's reversable (unsolder it ) and no led relays are available on the market which fits the Honda 6 pin connection.

What do you guys think?

lxstuart · Post by **lxstuart** » Sat May 04, 2013 1:32 pm

@H10ndr

Did you ever try this, and more importantly, did it work?
I'm in a similar position at the moment, and don't particularly fancy hacking into the wiring to attach resistors everywhere.

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Sat May 04, 2013 10:43 pm

Sorry, never dared to try it. I wanted the geeks on here to approve my idea first

before I bought any variable resistors etc to try.

Crazy_C · Post by **Crazy_C** » Mon May 06, 2013 12:47 am

Erm, stupid question, but why not just get LED bulbs with the resistors built into them? There's plenty of them readily available and it solves any issues like this.

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Mon May 06, 2013 9:38 am

Crazy_C, I've bought and tried them for the brake/tail lights- They blew out after two brake applications, and they were not as bright as OEM bulbs. I thought they were faulty so sent them back and got replacements. Same thing happened, so got refund. Not cheap either for bulbs (£15 for pair)

When you say - resistors built in - you do mean the canbus error free ones right?

or can you point me to some LED's which work?

judderod · Post by **judderod** » Mon May 06, 2013 12:23 pm

Just run a resistor in parallel to each bulb to simulate a greater load. I'm not sure of the value but a bit of very simple electronics maths would work it out.

lxstuart · Post by **lxstuart** » Sun May 12, 2013 11:52 pm

Well I'd already bought the bulbs and fitted them, so fitting resistors is easier than removing and trying to get a refund.

Out of interest, why parallel and not series?

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Mon May 13, 2013 12:01 am

Never had a problem with LEDs in the flashers and it effecting anything.
I just got the largest bulb i could fit of the super leds.

judderod · Post by **judderod** » Mon May 13, 2013 9:38 am

lxstuart wrote:Out of interest, why parallel and not series?

To create additional load for the flasher circuit. So that the LED and the resistor make the load of the circuit similar to a normal bulb.

lxstuart · Post by **lxstuart** » Tue May 14, 2013 7:25 am

But why wouldn't series work?