Way around load resistors- A cheap man's must!

Okay so I got orange flex strips that I retrofitted into my tails but I didnt get load resistors because I felt as though my 10$ could buy something more useful like my lunch ha

anyways.

the way I did this was solder the wires for the flex strips to the bulb's socket and simply reinstall the filament bulb, but tuck it away. I tried painting the bulb so the light would illuminate my trunk but the light showed through reguardless.. I only did one coat so maybe 2 - 3 would do the trick but who cares.. Figured electrical tape would've melted or something.

but yeah. if youre a cheapo like myself.. this is a useful concept

Or you could have just bought a turn signal flasher that is not load dependent. Most auto parts stores have them.

Is it safe to have a painted bulb that will see long periods of sustained use tucked away in your car ? Seems like it would get pretty darn hot .

anyways, how does it look?
id love to see any pics

Cooper wrote:

Is it safe to have a painted bulb that will see long periods of sustained use tucked away in your car ? Seems like it would get pretty darn hot .

It sounds like it is just the turn signal so it shouldn't be on that much. And yeah you can paint bulbs.

well I bought load equalizers but I decided I wanna use them for when I do my led mirror DIY because theyre tiny.. Ill get pics

Any idea how to calculate the proper load resistor specs to make up an additional 1.45 amp difference on a standard car voltage system (14.5v)?

I've seen different types of power load resistors

6 ohm, 50 watt
3 ohm, 25 watt
1 ohm, 25 watt

uh last time I checked, you're Phil and you should know these things! haha jk

I have no idea. maybe measure the resistance with a multimeter and calculate difference? its a stretch

Well my load resistors say 6 ohm on them so I think its one of those deals where it wont matter as long as youre not under doing it..

if it helps.. on mine it says "50W6(Omega)J" which im guessing is 50 watt 6 Ohm.. maybe the J is Joule?

96CD5Accord wrote:

uh last time I checked, you're Phil and you should know these things! haha jk

Ban this man!

Phil wrote:

Any idea how to calculate the proper load resistor specs to make up an additional 1.45 amp difference on a standard car voltage system (14.5v)? I've seen different types of power load resistors 6 ohm, 50 watt 3 ohm, 25 watt 1 ohm, 25 watt

Doesn't it depend on the other part of the circuit? I assume you want to raise the current flow, not limit it, by 1.45 amps. You just need to add a resistor in parallel, so that the the final resistance will make the V=IR equation increase the I by 1.45.

I tried doing math with just variables but couldn't figure it out.. I'm dumb and need a literal problem with pre existing numbers.

For the bulb problem, just plug it into a regular 125v socket! Was the only way I could get one of mine to blow!

Quote:

Ban this man!

I joke. I joke. I kidd. I kidd.

Quote:

I assume you want to raise the current flow, not limit it, by 1.45 amps.

sorry idk why I named the thread resistors, theyre actually load equalizers. I just have a habit for calling things something that theyre not.. [/quote]

Well, they ARE resistors, but since they're in parallel it lowers resistance and up the current draw.. same diff.

lol thanks now I dont feel so juvenile