Electrical question on car light bulb load resistors?

[jeena1]

Hello,

I recently purchased some after market LED bulbs for my car's rear turn signals. They work fine, but now the flashers are flashing much quicker. I understand that this is because the new bulbs use less power, so the system thinks a bulb is burnt out and indicates that by flashing quicker.

Because the new bulbs require less power than what is being supplied to them, will this cause premature burnout of the new bulbs or any problems with my car's electrical system if I don’t use load resistors? I'm fine with the increased flash rate otherwise.

Car: 2000 Nissan Altima SE
Stock bulb info: Turn signal, Wattage: 27, Size: 3156K

I'm not really sure what the exact specs for the new bulbs are, but they are designed to replace 3156 size bulbs.

Thank you.

[WireWrap]

...
Because the new bulbs require less power than what is being supplied to them, will this cause premature burnout of the new bulbs or any problems with my car's electrical system if I don’t use load resistors? I'm fine with the increased flash rate otherwise.

No, you've already seen the only adverse effect. It would be better described as "... the new bulbs consume less power from the voltage that is being supplied to them - the same voltage that was supplied to the old bulbs."

It's sort of like getting a glass of water. Your car supplies 12 volts pressure just like your house water pipe supplies 50 psi pressure. You can fill a large glass (your old bulbs) or a small cup (your new LEDs) from the same faucet with the only effect is that you won't use as much water (power). Your flasher sees the smaller flow and tries to warn you that you aren't using as much as it expects. You may find some heavy duty replacement flashers that do not exhibit this behavior.

[bmcgeeny]

Hello,

I recently purchased some after market LED bulbs for my car's rear turn signals. They work fine, but now the flashers are flashing much quicker. I understand that this is because the new bulbs use less power, so the system thinks a bulb is burnt out and indicates that by flashing quicker.

Because the new bulbs require less power than what is being supplied to them, will this cause premature burnout of the new bulbs or any problems with my car's electrical system if I don’t use load resistors? I'm fine with the increased flash rate otherwise.

Car: 2000 Nissan Altima SE
Stock bulb info: Turn signal, Wattage: 27, Size: 3156K

I'm not really sure what the exact specs for the new bulbs are, but they are designed to replace 3156 size bulbs.

Thank you.

Buy flashers that are designed for using with towing trailers. The are taller and take up a little more room than the standards, but they are designed to flash at a constant rate no mater what the load. (normally with a trailer that is higher, but in this case it is lower.)

[omzig]

The heavy-duty/towing flashers may work, but there are also electronic flashers that are designed for use with LED's. Here is an example:
http://www.ledlight.com/electronic-led-flasher-ep29.aspx
(http://www.ledlight.com/electronic-led-flasher-ep29.aspx)

[bmcgeeny]

The heavy-duty/towing flashers may work, but there are also electronic flashers that are designed for use with LED's. Here is an example:
http://www.ledlight.com/electronic-led-flasher-ep29.aspx
(http://www.ledlight.com/electronic-led-flasher-ep29.aspx)

I checked, the common GM ones use they same part number they are advertising these for. So they must be electronic and not mechanical. That would mean they would flash at a constant rate no mater what the load. (kind of like renard)