Arrow head turn signals? Watts?

VengeanceB4U · August 12th, 2011, 06:47 PM

Hi all! I just got these arrow head turn signals in and noticed the bulbs are 23 watts. The original signal bulbs are 10 watts, should I get 10 watt bulbs or is it ok to just use the 23 watt bulbs these turn signals came with? If I do use the 23 watt bulbs, will I need some other sort of modification to use the 4 23 watt bulbs?

Thanks!

alex.s · August 12th, 2011, 08:31 PM

it will blink faster with higher watt bulbs. the flasher unit blinks using heat to separate the connection... ie power flowing through a piece of metal causes it to heat up, the heat causes part of it to expand, this expansion physically moves the prongs inside the flasher, disconnecting the circuit. once the circuit is disconnected, the metal cools and contracts and after a moment reconnects the circuit only to heat up again and continue the cycle.

this is the same reason low wattage LEDs keep it from flashing. they don't draw enough power to heat the metal enough to cause it to separate. so they stay on the whole time.

you might burn a fuse out... if i remember correctly its a 30 watt fuse on the blinkers? i could easily be wrong about that.

VengeanceB4U · August 13th, 2011, 10:05 AM

Thanks for that info bro! I don't want to burn a fuse, I'm still a noob when it comes to motorcycles, lol.

CZroe · October 6th, 2011, 04:35 AM

It sounds like regular filament bulbs in which case any 12v incandescant blinker bulb that fits should work because they are wired directly with no changes to the supply vs. another blinker. That is, as long as it doesn't make too much heat for the enclosure (doubtful). Just take it in to Autozone and compare it to what they have. Your blink rate likely changed with the current setup as it is. If the bulb says something like "23W at 14.5 volts," keep in mind dthat it will be lower wattage at 12V (watts = volts * amps).

August 12th, 2011, 06:47 PM	#1
VengeanceB4U Cajun Ninja Rider Name: Cory Location: Louisiana Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Black Ninja 250 Posts: 26	Arrow head turn signals? Watts? Hi all! I just got these arrow head turn signals in and noticed the bulbs are 23 watts. The original signal bulbs are 10 watts, should I get 10 watt bulbs or is it ok to just use the 23 watt bulbs these turn signals came with? If I do use the 23 watt bulbs, will I need some other sort of modification to use the 4 23 watt bulbs? Thanks!

August 12th, 2011, 08:31 PM	#2
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	it will blink faster with higher watt bulbs. the flasher unit blinks using heat to separate the connection... ie power flowing through a piece of metal causes it to heat up, the heat causes part of it to expand, this expansion physically moves the prongs inside the flasher, disconnecting the circuit. once the circuit is disconnected, the metal cools and contracts and after a moment reconnects the circuit only to heat up again and continue the cycle. this is the same reason low wattage LEDs keep it from flashing. they don't draw enough power to heat the metal enough to cause it to separate. so they stay on the whole time. you might burn a fuse out... if i remember correctly its a 30 watt fuse on the blinkers? i could easily be wrong about that. __________________________________________________

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August 13th, 2011, 10:05 AM	#3
VengeanceB4U Cajun Ninja Rider Name: Cory Location: Louisiana Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Black Ninja 250 Posts: 26	Thanks for that info bro! I don't want to burn a fuse, I'm still a noob when it comes to motorcycles, lol.

October 6th, 2011, 04:35 AM	#4
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	It sounds like regular filament bulbs in which case any 12v incandescant blinker bulb that fits should work because they are wired directly with no changes to the supply vs. another blinker. That is, as long as it doesn't make too much heat for the enclosure (doubtful). Just take it in to Autozone and compare it to what they have. Your blink rate likely changed with the current setup as it is. If the bulb says something like "23W at 14.5 volts," keep in mind dthat it will be lower wattage at 12V (watts = volts * amps).