[Spridgets] Flasher Units

[Bruce Hamper]

Here's some interesting observations with flasher units.
I recently had the flasher unit in my '69 Sprite fail. It occurred during
my trip back from MG2016 from Louisville to St. Louis.  The lights all
worked, but were on continually when using the stalk turn signal.  That's
not much of a problem, however flipping the stalk switch on and off to
mimic a flasher gets annoying!
Once I got back home, I ordered up a new, correct flasher unit (8-512,
square unit) from VB.  I was surprised to find that it also did not flash
the lights - constant on when using the stalk switch.  The old unit was
revived briefly by putting it back in the car and tapping the side of the
metal can.  Works just like a broken fuel pump!  Turns out the new square
unit would not flash, even after tapping, hitting, dropping on floor, etc.
The new units are only rated (as noted on the metal can) to 47W max.  Two
old style tungsten lamps (original style 1156 bulbs; 27W each) would draw
54W at 13V.  As expected the new square flasher got very hot while engaged
in the circuit.  I don't see how these new units can possibly work unless
you have lower amperage lamps.
I switched to a generic flasher unit from Riley; a DOT 522 round can
flasher.  It works great!  Hope this saves someone on the list some time.
Happy 4th of July and may all your flashers work!
Bruce
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://autox.team.net/pipermail/spridgets/attachments/20160704/fe19983b/attachment.html>