Bulb wattage

[Robbie693]

I needed a front sidelamp bulb in a hurry the other day and found a 5W in the garage, they are supposed to be 6W.

Anyway after fitting it I found that the indicators on the side with the new bulb were flashing faster - kind of the same speed as a modern car. I'd been cleaning up all the wiring connectors on that side so I assumed it was because of that but, after cleaning the other side there was no improvement.

So it must be the lower wattage bulb then, yes?

If so, is it a good idea to do the same on the other side? I like the faster flashing, I always wonder if other drivers notice my indicators when they flash slowly

[rgh0]

A lower wattage bulbs draws a lower current. The speed of flashing from the original flasher cans was proportional to the current drawn as it was based on the extension of a wire heated by the current.

Thus I would expect a lower wattage bulb to cuase a slower flash not faster. So not sure why the side with the new bulb still flashes faster after cleaning connections on the other side also.

regards
Rohan

[RonR]

Robbie,

Check the cleanliness and conductivity of your earth connections from each flasher bulb. A high resistance to earth can cause the slow flashing.

Cheers,

Ron.