6 Volt Flasher Failure

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Mark Osterman
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6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Mark Osterman » Mon Aug 31, 2020 8:25 am

Ok, so I installed an old flasher control to two 3 cp lights in the rear in beehive accessory lights, and two 21 cp bulbs in the Ford side lights. It worked great forma couple of weeks and then the #585 relay fried. I installed another #585 unit (NAPA) and it was too fast so I removed the cover and adjusted the tension of the bimetal spring. That fixed the speed but then after a week that unit fried. Reminds me of a Monty Python bit.

So, I guess the smart thing to do is put a fuse in the line. How many amps? Now .. the next smart thing is to stop buying the #585 made in Taiwan flasher relay. So I went online and found an NOS made in USA flasher relay and am hoping the problems I’ve had were due to crappy relays.

When looking at videos on adjusting stuck relays ( removing the housings and fixing stuck points ) I saw one that was much better built .. not a cheap flexible piece of metal that heats up and flexes .. but an actual electro-magnet. Does anyone know where to find one of these in six volt? Are these only for 12 volt.


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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by ModelTTom » Mon Aug 31, 2020 9:04 am

I can't offer any suggestion with the 6 volt flasher failure except to check that there is not a bad connection, maybe ground.
Voltage spikes can cause burnouts. What I really would suggest though, is at least 21 cp in each light at the rear of
the car. Flashing 3cp isn't going to be very noticeable during the day. IMHO. Keep safe Tom

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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by TRDxB2 » Mon Aug 31, 2020 9:14 am

Langs https://www.modeltford.com/pl.aspx?t=s&v=flasher&page=1
Google https://www.google.com/search?client=fi ... 96&bih=767
Assumed that you are running on battery - may sure it can handle the amperage 12 amps or more and you may look for an electronic one rated than contacts
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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Mark Osterman » Mon Aug 31, 2020 9:29 am

Tom, yes I would prefer the 21cp in the rear but these are the little beehive amber light assemblies and the lens won’t clip in place with the 21 cp bulbs because they stick out too far. I tried them initially by using vinyl tape to secure the lenses ... might still do that. But the 3 cp works fine at night, which is when I really need these to work.


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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Mark Osterman » Mon Aug 31, 2020 9:30 am

Frank,

Yes, the lights run off the 6 volt storage battery.

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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Susanne » Mon Aug 31, 2020 10:24 am

Wagner 268 is a 2 prong 6 volt flasher... made in the USA.

Google "VW 6 volt flasher unit" and you'll see a lot of options... ;-)


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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Mark Osterman » Mon Aug 31, 2020 10:46 am

Yes, I have seen a lot for VW and was thinking a German made until might be much better ... a German stereotype if I ever saw one. 😄 Are the three prongs in the same configuration as the typical unit in American cars?


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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Allan » Mon Aug 31, 2020 8:34 pm

I thought bi metal flashers required a certain load to make them flash at the correct rate. That may be why the replacement flashed too fast, because it should be driven by two 21cp bulbs. If you can find a 6 volt electronic flasher, they are far more forgiving.

Allan from down under,

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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Susanne » Tue Sep 01, 2020 12:29 pm

The 2 parallel blades on an European 3 blade flasher are reversed to their American counterparts...


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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Mark Osterman » Tue Sep 01, 2020 12:37 pm

Allan,

The electronic flasher seemed to be sabotaged by interference from the coils. Worked great when the engine was off but really screwy when the engine was running.

The thermal type are a crap shoot ... all different speeds depending on the unit ... and then they die. I’m hoping an older nos american made relay might do better.


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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Allan » Thu Sep 03, 2020 2:34 am

I have two T's with electronic flasher cans. One is 12 volt and the car has a Truefire ignition system. It works perfectly. The other is 6volt running standard T coils. It too works flawlessly. The real problem is finding 6 volt electronic flasher cans. In my other T's I have been forced to resort to bi-metal type cans as I cannot find 6 volt electronic units.

Allan from down under.


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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Mark Osterman » Thu Sep 03, 2020 8:06 am

Allan,

This seems to be a common problem discussed in the 1940-1960s car forums. From what I’ve read there there is a significant difference in the quality of the older 6 volt thermal flasher relays (cans) compared to what we can get today made in Taiwan. People say you can buy a dozen of the same type and it’s a crap shoot how quickly they flash and how long they last. So I went on eBay and bought a couple of old NOS American made relays and am anxious to see how they do. Yes, I would rather find something more substantial like the electromagnetic I’ve heard about but can’t seem to find one in 6 volts.

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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by paulmikeska » Thu Sep 03, 2020 11:49 am

A web search turned up a 6 volt negative ground electronic flasher with 25 amp rated contacts.


https://www.memotronics.com/6-volt-neg- ... y-elf33-6/

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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by TRDxB2 » Thu Sep 03, 2020 3:46 pm

paulmikeska wrote:
Thu Sep 03, 2020 11:49 am
A web search turned up a 6 volt negative ground electronic flasher with 25 amp rated contacts.
https://www.memotronics.com/6-volt-neg- ... y-elf33-6/
I saw several "LED" 6volt flashers was wondering of they would work on incandescent bulbs too. According to these sites YES and I would think it is brand independent based on the explanation https://www.pacificcustoms.com/k4s22-105.html
here too https://www.ledlight.com/flasher-cf13-6 ... gJELvD_BwE
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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by Mark Osterman » Thu Sep 03, 2020 7:19 pm

Paul,

Yes I tried that electronic flasher but four coils they don’t work due to electronic interference. They work great with the engine tirned off! 😄 The option I would like to find is the electromagnetic type but I’ve yet to see one in 6 volt.

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Re: 6 Volt Flasher Failure

Post by BrianE63 » Thu Sep 03, 2020 10:02 pm

Mark,
I have been running this LL535 electromechanical 6 volt flasher for my turn signals and it has a nice steady flash rate even though it lives right next to the coil box. It has been working fine for over 5 years with 6CP front and 21CP rear incandescent bulbs, and flashes the same whether the engine is running or not.
Best regards.
Brian Eliason


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