Aftermarket turn signals flashing quickly

[beeZLbub]

So some jabronie must've walked by my bike while I had it parked when I was at work and they broke my right rear signal! I already have a replacement on the way, but I decided to box up all the original signals and go aftermarket just in case it happens again. Then, at least, I won't be ruining stock parts.

So I bought these:

I really dig the way they look on the bike, but I did notice that my turn signals flash very quickly now. Is there a fix for this? I specifically didn't buy the LED signals because I didn't want to install a resistor in the line, but is that what I'm going to have to do? Or can I install a "bigger" bulb (i.e.; uses more power?).

Thanks for any help!

-Fran

 

[lowlife]

you could try a Heavy Duty flasher maybe one out of a car. i don't know what type of flasher the eli uses. Your new lights may very well be using more juice. Ever notice on some vehicles when you plug in a trailer behind that the lights are quicker? Thats bcuz they are putting more current through the same flasher. Opening the circuit quicker. Just a thought

 

[Blagadán]

What wattage are the bulbs in your new signal lamps fran?

I'm pretty sure its 21w fitted in stock lamps... the zl indicators flash faster when theres less load on the relay (i.e. if a bulb blows the remaining working bulb flashes really quickly.) so looks like you're right, seems the new signal has a lower wattage bulb.
If you want the new signals to flash at the same rate as the stock ones, you will have to fit the same size bulbs... its all about resistance across the relay..

Most basic flasher relays work on a principle of resistance. a little piece of metal heats up inside the relay to give an open circuit at a set of points, it then cools and the circuit closes, then heats up again and opens, etc etc etc..
An LED relay has a different set up for flashing the bulbs, its a solid state electronic timer (my buddy has one of these relays on his bike used with his led signals. His relay has a little screw adjustor on the side of the relay that he can adjust the flash rate of his turn signals).
I dont think you can use a LED relay with incandescant bulbs though, I dont think its recommended...

Yep, bigger bulbs...

Nice signal lamps BTW...

 

[gosupes]

To clarify a bit, the LED lamps have a lower resistance than filament bulbs, which allows more current to pass to the flasher resulting in quicker heating of the bimetal strip in the flasher, thus a quicker flash rate. You can add a resistor to slow it down, but as the others have posted, a solid state relay would be a better option.

 

[beeZLbub]

Cool! Thanks for the help guys!

Like Blagadán said, when I had the turn signal completely unhooked the light flashed uber fast. When I plugged the signal(s) in they went slower, but not as slow as stock. I'm going to pull them apart and see what my options are for bulbs.

Thanks again!

-Fran

PS - I wasn't going to use an LED relay for my signals, I was just going to install a resistor inline, if I had to, but I'd rather not. Installing different bulbs is much easier.