Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

hey guys, i have a sequencer for my taillights that works with bulbs.

but i just bought a led taillight kit for my trans am.

they light up for normal braking and headlight operation.

but they dont sequence or blink at all for turn signals. they just stay lighted up solid on either side

i was told i need resistors to add more load on the circuit but anyone have idea exactly where or what value?

Rolling Thunder

For that we would need alittle more clarification on there part. Though it seems odd that this is neccessary i dont know how there circuit is designed either and wont attempt to guess as thats all it would be a guess. That being said i do have some useful word of advise lol. First the say you need to add a resistor to increase the load. What there really saying is the lights arnt drawing enough current to make it work which makes scene as LEDs draw a lot less current than regular bulbs. Now how much and where? Where is the easy one you need to put a resistor in parallel with the turn signals bulbs (in parallel increases current draw in series reduces it). How much is a good question though. The problem is unless someones already been there done that before with your kit (other sequential turn signal kits may work differently) and knows we need to know about what the load should be. Say if they say it needs to draw about 5 amps we can measure what the LEDs are drawing and calculate the resistance needed to make up for the difference. Theres also trial and error method though not as easy can be done with caution. I say with caution because say you put a 1 ohm resistor in place thats basically a short and you risk damaging the output of the module by drawing too much. Also say you figure out it needs a 1K ohm resistor in there and it works if the resistors power rating is too small it could over heat burn up. So basically what im trying to say is if you were going to do trial and error start with the largest resistance first and work your way down using the resistors with the largest power dissipation available and when you find one that works let me know so i can calculate the power rating needed (may be able to use a power resistor or you may need to have several in parallel to get the power dissipation rating needed but putting several in parallel means you need to use different resistor values which again need to be calculated as 2 500 ohm resistors in parallel dont equal 1000 ohms). The last and most painfull way of doing it is to put the regular bulbs in measure the current draw and again calculate the resistance needed to match that value with the LEDs in place. Ide just ask them what the current draw should be as hopefully they can tell you and make all this much easier.

Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

thanks for that huge detailed solution.

im going to try a led compatible flasher first. and see if that works. if not then maybe resistors. but i'm still wiating for the guy who makes the kit to get back this week

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

If your using the stock flasher, it is based on current load. So since the LEDs draw less, that could cause the stock flasher to not work correctly.

So yeah, you need to add a resistor or find a LED compatible, 2-prong flasher.

NINÅ

Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

thanks, i have a led flasher coming in the mail from superbrightleds. its 2 prongs so hopefully it will work.

as far as resistors thanks for the values. the guy has it wired in such a way that the 1st socket powers all 3 sections. and the following 2 just have 1 wire plugged into the socket for the sequencing signal.

so im not sure where to put the resistors in parallel. im sure it can be done but someone would have to physically show me or the guy who makes the kit would have to tell me in detail.

but when the flasher comes in maybe i wont have to use resistors.

fingers crossed

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I'm gonna be lazy like other people are....Ask you to hand the link to me & not do a search for it myself.....

Which one did you use?
Part #?
Direct link to it?



I am really interested in finding out how it works out for you & if they are compatible with standard bulbs.

Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...2Fflashers.htm

i ordered the first one since its the only one they have with 2 prongs. they dont garuntee it will work since they do not have a cross referencing database for flashers and cars.

im gona try it and see what happens.

the guy who makes the led boards got back to me, he's gona send me his own sequencer that would work with his boards and see if that does the trick.

either way by the end of the week reguardless of which way works ill have a working led sequencing taillight setup.

i'll report when i have more news on my progress

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

.....and post up a video! I wanna see sequential LEDs. Might make me wanna buy the LEDs bulbs myself.

astrosurfer

Interesting topic.
I have designed my own circuit and I was wondering if it would work better with LED bulbs but they are kinda pricey.
My circuit has cost me very little to make and I'm probably needing to use an electronic flasher module to make everything smooth. Mines is adjustable which is probably making it harder to fine tune. I was not happy with a set value sequence rate so I added adjustable resistance.
It works perfect on my test bench but it's a different story on the car due to the bulb load.
Also my car's not here which makes this all take a while longer each time I try a new set up.

Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

ok i bought a heavy duty flasher 2prong, for 6bucks at autozone.

some progress....

the lights now blink but all at once. no sequencing. just all 3 lights blink at the same time.

the guy who made the kit is sending me his own sequencer so fix the problem

itsMikey

these look so sick its not even funny xP just my 2cents

astrosurfer

is the kit 3rd gen specific or a universal?
I've read on other forums that when you go the LED route you have to go the ELECRONIC flasher route too.
How true that is I don't know.
Just read something about others who had problems with LED blinker lights not blinking and it was due to the temperature dependant flasher unit.
The electronic version relies solely on a timer and not the temp sensitive contacts inside. The LED's do not draw a high enough load for the regular flasher unit.
I hope this helps you figure it out.
It makes perfect sense to me though. Having a little knowledge of circuitry and the likes.

Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

yes thanks, i have a electronic led flasher coming in the mail. i tried a heavy duty flasher and the lights now blink but all at once. not sequencing 1 2 3 but ill try the led flasher once it gets here. and if not then i gota replace my sequencer for the one meant for the board.

they are made for late trans am models but fit in my 82-84 style nicely since there is not specific board made yet for thirdgen birds.

astrosurfer

I've had so many ideas about this that it's not funny.
I'm toying with the idea of attempting an individual mini circuit for the 2 outer bulbs.
It would more than likely mean a 4th gen socket upgrade but that's fine. The components are pennies so trial and error is cheap..LOL
There is no need to sequence the first bulb, only the outer 2.
My mission continues on electrical mods.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

My 4th bulb was simple....I turned my Reverse Light into another red tail light.
VIDEO HERE

astrosurfer

what did you do?
Did you just install a red bulb?
What do you now do for a reverse light?
Interesting.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I converted my clear lens to red, like what the Camaro guys do for their amber to red. Translescent Red model spray paint.

I just no longer have any Reverse Lights now.

astrosurfer

I hate hijacking the thread,,,,Sorry bobby_80s
Surely that's not legal is it? In any state?
Them laws are intriguing to say the least.
That wouldn't pass inspection in Louisiana so I couldn't do it even if I wanted to...LOL

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Reverse Lights aren't required, in Texas at least. Check your state inspection requirements to be sure.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/insp.../item_insp.asp

astrosurfer

I'm keeping the reverse lights as they are. I have the smoked tails.
I was merely curious about the laws that's all.
/hijack...LOL

I hope you get fixed up good bobby...I know you've got a lot of work and heart in your car.