What is a flasher for LED lights? Any roadworthy car has to have headlights.
In these headlights, we have LED Bulbs and a flasher for LED light.
However, for the bulbs to flash light accurately, you’ll need an LED flasher.
In this article, we’ll discuss in detail the LED flasher and why every car needs one. Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
- 1. What Is an Led Flasher?
- 2. Specifications of LED Flasher
- 3. Why Would You Need a Led Flasher?
- 4. Types of LED Flashers
- Conclusion
1. What Is an Led Flasher?
An LED flasher is an integrated circuit with a semiconductor.
It works by flashing lights in bulbs at a programmed rate and pattern.
You will find most LED flashers in car indicators and most controller devices.
For an LED flasher to work efficiently, it has to work together and be compatible with the LED Bulbs.
Otherwise, you’ll notice two main differences when you use an incandescent bulb.
Most drivers consider these differences as problems.
One of the problems resulting from using a regular bulb is hyper-flashing.
Hyper flashing occurs when bulbs flash erratically or at a very fast rate.
The other problem is the lights failing to flash at all.
Both these problems may confuse drivers on the road and even bring about accidents.
(LED Flashing lights.)
2. Specifications of LED Flasher
When purchasing an LED flasher, you must consider certain specifications. Some parameters include:
- The flashing rate is the total number of flashes the flasher makes the LED do per minute.
- Head Capacity – This is the maximum number of LEDs a single channel can control. The product of the heat capacity and the number of channels determines how many LEDs a LED flasher can control.
- The number of channels – In this case, a channel signifies an output. Getting an LED Flasher with a single output that powers numerous LEDs is important.
- The number of patterns -Knowing how many flashing patterns your flasher can produce is necessary.
- Lamp capacity/ Output current – This is the maximum amount of current flows per channel.
- Voltage rating – Voltage rating is the maximum allowable input voltage.
(a siren alarm with an LED bulb)
3. Why Would You Need a Led Flasher?
When you buy a car, it probably comes with an electronic-with-lamp-out or thermal flasher.
A thermal flasher consumes a minimum of 15W to function properly.
On the other hand, an electronic-with-lamp-out is not specific to how much power it consumes.
However, if the power it receives is too little, it will begin to flash rapidly.
This occurrence is known as the lamp-out warning.
It works by making the driver aware that one of the bulbs needs replacement. Hence the name electronic-lamp-out.
Despite having either, an LED flasher might still be your best option.
It is because it consumes very little power, less than what a thermal flasher needs.
Also, the little power may be misleading to the electronic flasher.
Since it may make the electronic flasher believe that all the bulbs are functioning.
Additionally, an LED has interesting features such as:
- The flasher has a surge protector device at its input to prevent it from damage from electrical surges.
- The LED device operates silently, contrary to the clicking sound found in other flashers.
- The LED flasher is waterproof.
- A circuit at the input area protects the flasher from reverse polarity.
(red and blue police flashers)
4. Types of LED Flashers
There are only two types of LED flashers. One is the Solid state flasher, and the other is the Relay state flasher.
One of the differences between the two flashes is in the final switching element.
The relay-based flasher has an electromechanical relay as its final switching element.
Meanwhile, a Solid state flasher has a semiconductor power transistor.
Also, the solid-state flasher does not have moving parts, while a relay-state flasher has moving parts.
These flashers are reliable, but they each have advantages and disadvantages.
| Flasher type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Relay state | Produces the clicking sound | Has a shorter lifespan It may require a ground wire |
| Solid state | Unlimited lifespan | It is costlyHas no clicking soundIt may have limited current capabilities. |
Most drivers prefer the relay state flasher since it produces the clicking sound.
But the solid state is the best choice if you have a truck where the flasher will run for several hours per day.
(car headlights with LED bulbs)
Conclusion
Not all LED flashers have to be accompanied by LED bulbs. You can use an LED Flasher with a regular bulb.
Especially the solid-state type. However, most of them usually end up burning out. Be careful when working this wiring.
