Need advice on turn signal flasher

Jon B

I'm looking for a turn signal flasher spec.

Currently I'm using a #269 (P229D) six volt turn signal flasher.  The flasher works very slowly and I would love to find one that's a bit livelier!

The rear bulbs are the standard dual-filament (brake & signals) and the fronts are 21 candlepower (forgotten what bulb number) so I would think these would have a pretty large current draw, thus I'd think the flasher would flash much more quickly than it does.  Maybe the one I have is fine, and is just old.  (The terminal that feeds the pilot light apparently isn't working.)

The car never had signals (it's a '37) so I have no original spec to refer to.

I'm not sure how many variations there are in blinkers, nor how one would rate them in order to choose the best one!  If anyone has any hints, I'd appreciate them!

Geoff

 Jon, you pretty well have to take pot luck with these.  They are adjustable if you manage to  pry the canister off, but  you have to be very careful in bending the  bi-metal arm, and I don't really recommend it.  These are advertised lots  on ebay.  However, before you do anything I would suggest that you  check the voltage to the X terminal of the flasher.  It should be the full 6 volts, as anything less will result in slow flashing. it could be that your voltage supply  has a dirty contact or resistance somewhere.  Good luck

Jon B

Good thought.  I'll do that.  Thanks, Geoff.  I'm guessing the wires are routed through the turn signal switch, whose contacts may be corroded by now and this could account for more resistance (before the current even gets to the blinker).  But, I'll check it out next time the car comes out of its storage trailer! 

51Hudson

I was having a similar problem to yours.  Mine would blink slow and real dim.  So I started to look for a new flasher which I found out that they don't make anymore.  So I found a NOS flasher but it cost as much as a whole new turn signal system.  So for $37 I got a whole new kit off line and just put it in this weekend.  And the good news is now I have bright and normal flashing lights.

Jon B

What kit was that?

51Hudson

I bought the kit off of ebay.  Here is the link.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-six-volt-v-directional-blinker-turn-signal-kit-switch-flasher-install-direct-/161061979121#ht_799wt_916

lostmind

Find a 550 hd flasher , probably be good to go

Jon B

Oh, a "kit", as in a complete switch!  Thanks, but I'm using a perfectly good Hudson switch, circa 1952, which fits the 1937 like a glove (and is self cancelling).  But thanks for the suggestion.

No, all I need is a good flasher and, as Geoff suggested, the problem may lay somewhere else in the system.  Might be that the contacts in the switch itself need cleaning, or some of the wiring connections are "iffy".  I just wondered if there was a rule of thumb for specifying which switch to use with which amperage.