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Turn signals LED [message #343162]

Tue, 07 May 2019 19:11

ree_eric

Messages: 43
Registered: February 2004
Location: Alexandria, Ontario, Cana...

Karma: 0

Member

I was wondering if the turn signal bulbs can be changed to LEDs and will the side marker bulbs, already LEDs, still flash? I tried to figure out how they work but can't see how they ground through the turn signal bulbs. It seems like the turn signal current is applied to the marker lights ground side to make them go out when the turn bulb is lit. I know I would have to change the flasher unit.

Eric & Ree '74 ex-Sequoia (parts) '75 Eleganza (TB, exhaust x-over blocking plates, Manny reaction arms and discs, 3"exhaust rear muffler, aux vacuum, fuel tank sealing, rebuilt senders and new rubber, propane hot water heater.) Alexandria, Ontario, Canada

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Re: [GMCnet] Turn signals LED [message #343164 is a reply to message #343162]

Tue, 07 May 2019 19:16

jimk

Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA

Karma: 9

Senior Member

Yes, but you'll need to attach a resistor load in the signal system for it
to flash properly.

On Tue, May 7, 2019 at 5:14 PM Eric Bornstein via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> I was wondering if the turn signal bulbs can be changed to LEDs and will
> the side marker bulbs, already LEDs, still flash? I tried to figure out how
> they work but can't see how they ground through the turn signal bulbs. It
> seems like the turn signal current is applied to the marker lights ground
> side to make them go out when the turn bulb is lit. I know I would have to
> change the flasher unit.
> --
> Eric & Ree '74 ex-Sequoia (parts) '75 Eleganza (TB, exhaust x-over
> blocking plates, Manny reaction arms and discs, 3"exhaust rear muffler, aux
> vacuum,
> fuel tank sealing, rebuilt senders and new rubber, propane hot water
> heater.) Alexandria, Ontario, Canada
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502

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Re: [GMCnet] Turn signals LED [message #343172 is a reply to message #343164]

Tue, 07 May 2019 21:20

ree_eric

Messages: 43
Registered: February 2004
Location: Alexandria, Ontario, Cana...

Karma: 0

Member

Would that be after the flasher unit? And what value? That would be for the flasher to operate properly or to make the side marker lights function? How do the side marker lamps find a ground through the lt blue wire (left side) or dk blue (right side) flasher wires? Is it the incandescent bulbs?

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Re: [GMCnet] Turn signals LED [message #343175 is a reply to message #343172]

Tue, 07 May 2019 22:53

jimk

Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA

Karma: 9

Senior Member

just add it befor the bulb to inccrease resistance.
5 ohm per side.
If it still flashes too rapidly, add more. Put it in the positive side.

On Tue, May 7, 2019 at 8:11 PM Eric Bornstein via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> Would that be after the flasher unit? And what value? That would be for
> the flasher to operate properly or to make the side marker lights function?
> How do the side marker lamps find a ground through the lt blue wire (left
> side) or dk blue (right side) flasher wires? Is it the incandescent bulbs?
> --
> Eric & Ree '74 ex-Sequoia (parts) '75 Eleganza (TB, exhaust x-over
> blocking plates, Manny reaction arms and discs, 3"exhaust rear muffler, aux
> vacuum,
> fuel tank sealing, rebuilt senders and new rubber, propane hot water
> heater.) Alexandria, Ontario, Canada
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502

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Re: [GMCnet] Turn signals LED [message #343176 is a reply to message #343162]

Tue, 07 May 2019 23:11

Richard Denney

Messages: 920
Registered: April 2010

Karma: 9

Senior Member

The front side marker lights need to run current both ways to work and LEDs
won’t work. But you can install a common bridge rectifier (any standard
25-amp 4-connector bridge rectifier will work). It will turn the reverse
current around and the LED will work fine.

I replaced the front marker lights with LEDs and stuck the rectifier to the
inside of the body panel with double-sides trim tape.

The two input wires go to the AC input pins on the rectifier, and the DC
output pins go to the light, but be careful to get the polarity right.

The rear side lights don’t flash and just need the wires oriented
correctly.

Rick “still using regular bulbs in the front and rear turn/tail/brake
lamps” Denney

On Tue, May 7, 2019 at 8:14 PM Eric Bornstein via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> I was wondering if the turn signal bulbs can be changed to LEDs and will
> the side marker bulbs, already LEDs, still flash? I tried to figure out how
> they work but can't see how they ground through the turn signal bulbs. It
> seems like the turn signal current is applied to the marker lights ground
> side to make them go out when the turn bulb is lit. I know I would have to
> change the flasher unit.
> --
> Eric & Ree '74 ex-Sequoia (parts) '75 Eleganza (TB, exhaust x-over
> blocking plates, Manny reaction arms and discs, 3"exhaust rear muffler, aux
> vacuum,
> fuel tank sealing, rebuilt senders and new rubber, propane hot water
> heater.) Alexandria, Ontario, Canada
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
'73 X-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
Offlist email: rick at rickdenney dot com
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Re: Turn signals LED [message #343180 is a reply to message #343162]

Wed, 08 May 2019 04:56

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

Our coaches use an older technology to regulate flashing speed. All you have to do is go a good auto parts store and buy a variable load flasher. These flashers maintain the same flashing speed independent of how many or few bulbs you have working as a load. These were very commonly used at the time by people adding trailer lighting to a vehicle. When I put LEDSs in mine, all I did was to swap the bulbs. Mine already had a PO installed variable load flasher. Just swap the flasher and you are done. Modern vehicles with computer controlled flashing do not operate this way and you need the load resistors.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Re: [GMCnet] Turn signals LED [message #343189 is a reply to message #343180]

Wed, 08 May 2019 08:26

powwerjon

Messages: 849
Registered: March 2013

Karma: -2

Senior Member

I am with Ken B. on this method of adding a Electro-Mechanical flasher. This is the one I have used AutoZone Version, in the past and present. Others are listed.

AutoZone:

NAPA:
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/GRO445303

O’Reilly:

or
http://tinyurl.com/y2weth8b

I was unaware of using a bridge rectifier as stated in Ken H. previous post. Solves the issues with that particular part of the turn signal system. I still run an incandescent bulbs at those 2 positions. Need to get some small bridge rectifiers on order and try it out.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States Charter Member
GMCMI
78 GMC Buskirk 29.5’ Stretch
75 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

> On May 8, 2019, at 5:56 AM, Ken Burton via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Our coaches use an older technology to regulate flashing speed. All you have to do is go a good auto parts store and buy a variable load flasher.
> These flashers maintain the same flashing speed independent of how many or few bulbs you have working as a load. These were very commonly used at the
> time by people adding trailer lighting to a vehicle. When I put LEDSs in mine, all I did was to swap the bulbs. Mine already had a PO installed
> variable load flasher. Just swap the flasher and you are done. Modern vehicles with computer controlled flashing do not operate this way and you
> need the load resistors.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

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Re: Turn signals LED [message #343197 is a reply to message #343162]

Wed, 08 May 2019 10:33

jhbridges

Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga

Karma: -74

Senior Member

I put a post up a while back with an eBay address for ten bridges for $2 or something like. It was in a light discussion. Works great.

--johnny

Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell

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Re: Turn signals LED [message #343235 is a reply to message #343197]

Fri, 10 May 2019 17:35

tphipps

Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL

Karma: 9

Senior Member

You can also find flashers designed for leds. I put one on my Avion and it worked as desired. Only bad part, I picked a motorcycle design and it made no noise when flashing.
Tom

2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG

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