6v tail light led help
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
6v tail light led help
Today we replaced the tail lights in my 52. The old tail lights were rusty inside but still functioned. Since I wanted to install the 6v led light bulbs that Joe used in his truck, I decided to use a newer set of tail lights that I bought at a swap meet. We replaced the sockets to dual contacts and installed both with the led lights.
Here's the problem. We are getting brake lights and park lights with the led bulbs. However, when I activate either of the turn signal lights there's nothing flashing, but when we use regular bulbs, everything works just fine, including the turn signals. The right side is also slightly dimmer whether the bulb is led or regular. I also replaced the flasher yesterday because the old one gave out. I also noticed that with the new flasher the turn signals do not flash as fast as they did with the previous flasher.
Any ideas? I can live with the regular bulbs, but would like to use the led's.
Here's the problem. We are getting brake lights and park lights with the led bulbs. However, when I activate either of the turn signal lights there's nothing flashing, but when we use regular bulbs, everything works just fine, including the turn signals. The right side is also slightly dimmer whether the bulb is led or regular. I also replaced the flasher yesterday because the old one gave out. I also noticed that with the new flasher the turn signals do not flash as fast as they did with the previous flasher.
Any ideas? I can live with the regular bulbs, but would like to use the led's.
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Western NY
The LEDs pull much less current than the regular bulbs. As such, the bi-metal strip in the standard flasher won't heat up enough to intermitently flash the circuit, or if it does flash, not as quickly since less current draw means less heat. You can either add an inline resistor to make the load equivelant to a standard bulb or upgrade from a mechanical flasher to an electornic flasher.
There's a whole discussion about this overhere (which I see you have been a part of):
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...uestion-3.html
There's a whole discussion about this overhere (which I see you have been a part of):
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...uestion-3.html
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Western NY
There are plenty of 6v flashers:
Napa NF535
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=NF_535_0325326168
Advance Auto: FC535
Buy BWD Relay FC535 at Advance Auto Parts
Napa NF535
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=NF_535_0325326168
Advance Auto: FC535
Buy BWD Relay FC535 at Advance Auto Parts
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
Will this work? A-13355 LED - Smith and Jones Antique Auto Parts How many would I need if a plan to run 4 led bulbs with turn signals? Is it one per bulb or just one per rear and front?
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Western NY
Looks like that could be what you need. You would use one for each regular bulb that is no longer there. So if you removed 2 1154s and added 4 LED replacements, you would still only need 2 resistors.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
Still a bit confused by your statement. You say that I need a resistor for each regular bulb that I remove, but then you mention that if I remove two regular bulbs I'll only need two resistors. I'd like to order these resistors but need to know the exact amount I'll need. Maybe you can explain or confirm. Thanks.
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Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Western NY
I'm not so sure what's confusing. Each resistor equals the load of a regular bulb. Let's assume the starndard stock system has 4 turn signal lamps, two in front, and two in back. You want to make your rear turn signals LEDs. You do this by REMOVING 2 blulbs, one from each side. You then install 2 LEDs. You system now consists of 2 regular bulbs, and 2 LEDs. Because you are minus 2 regtular bulbs, you need to make this up by adding 2 resistors. There are some people who like to light up the world and actually decide to double the amount of lenses they have in the rear and so the install 4 LEDs in the back. However, you are still only minus two regular bulbs and will still only need 2 resistors to make up the load.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
Got it now. Thanks for the more detailed explanation. I'm going to order enough to do the 52 and my Airflow.
One final question. Does it matter which lead on each light the resistor is wired into? Should it be into the park lamp lead or the brake/turn signal lead?
One final question. Does it matter which lead on each light the resistor is wired into? Should it be into the park lamp lead or the brake/turn signal lead?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
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OR-- one of my trucks, has a solid state electroic flasher. This type
flasher does not care about being loaded. They will blink or flash one
bulb to all lights on a tractor trailer. Or try Galls police / fire supply,
all kinds of flashers wig wags for cruisers that are now all going to leds.
just google Galls
flasher does not care about being loaded. They will blink or flash one
bulb to all lights on a tractor trailer. Or try Galls police / fire supply,
all kinds of flashers wig wags for cruisers that are now all going to leds.
just google Galls
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,303
Likes: 1,062
From: NM
OR-- one of my trucks, has a solid state electroic flasher. This type
flasher does not care about being loaded. They will blink or flash one
bulb to all lights on a tractor trailer. Or try Galls police / fire supply,
all kinds of flashers wig wags for cruisers that are now all going to leds.
just google Galls
flasher does not care about being loaded. They will blink or flash one
bulb to all lights on a tractor trailer. Or try Galls police / fire supply,
all kinds of flashers wig wags for cruisers that are now all going to leds.
just google Galls
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
2 Adjustable LED Flasher Box Flash Changer 12V 6V 9V | eBay
Yamaha YSR-50 and Hot Rod 6-volt turn signal relay - LED and Standard
Seems like the guys over on a vintage motorcycle forum have the same issues with LED bulbs. The motorcycle flashers are 2 prong, while I need 3 prong. I emailed the company making the 2 prong to see if they can manufacture a 3 prong relay. Otherwise, I'll spend $50 and buy the inline resistors from the link in an earlier post. I also can't find a solid state electronic flasher that is 6v.
Ross, would you happen to remember the flasher on ebay?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,303
Likes: 1,062
From: NM
Either the above or the Yamaha piece you listed look good. No experience with either.