Thermal flasher

Tomhae

Junior Member
Member
Apr 22, 2012
121
Roseville, CA
Is there any other alternating thermal flasher similar to the 537? I dont want to go solid-state like the EL-3. Any thoughts? Parts stores keep suggesting the 550, but i'm guessing it doesn't alternate.
 
I usually can find the 2" x 2" or so heavy duty square one at the big truck parts store or source. Nice, even flash rate and this one didn't require grounding like the plastic version E One used while I was there. brb,...lemme see if I can find a # on it...OOps, nvm, it's only a two wire. It's still early here. Sorry.


Echlin 582


part# 4.029.563 if it would help narrow your search.


It was NOS from E bay so,...idk if Echlin's still in the game. Good quality part, this one from Mexico.
 
what about the federal signal flashers? i got 3 or 4 laying around, dunno what there worth, always wanted an alternating flasher but couldn't find one, so i took parts off old bars so now i have some


flasher like this one $(KGrHqF,!jUE-bMwI9c3BP6Nz9Otow~~60_35.JPG


i like these but if you dont have much of a load on them they flash to fast
 
Torpedo said:
I usually can find the 2" x 2" or so heavy duty square one at the big truck parts store or source. Nice, even flash rate and this one didn't require grounding like the plastic version E One used while I was there. brb,...lemme see if I can find a # on it...OOps, nvm, it's only a two wire. It's still early here. Sorry.

Echlin 582


part# 4.029.563 if it would help narrow your search.


It was NOS from E bay so,...idk if Echlin's still in the game. Good quality part, this one from Mexico.
Echlin is carried by NAPA parts stores. I haven't needed to get a new one... but call your local store and see if the numbers good. May need to ship from warehouse, but if you tell them no hurry- ground ship there is usually no charge.
 
Thanks for the tip on the Echlin 582. I have a NAPA I have been dealing with, I'll see if they can track one down. I'm trying to replace the original 537 can for the rear flashers in my Aerodynic.


Thanks again, Kevin
 
Thermal flashers like the 537 have uneven flash on-times and speeds. Go with a Tridon flasher like illustrated above, you'll get a reliable 50/50 on-time at 90 fpm with the audible clicking you'd hear with a thermal flasher.
 
Tomhae said:
Thanks for the tip on the Echlin 582. I have a NAPA I have been dealing with, I'll see if they can track one down. I'm trying to replace the original 537 can for the rear flashers in my Aerodynic.
Thanks again, Kevin

The 582 (Echlin) number I referenced is just to get you close as this is only a two (2) wire flasher as I explained in my first post.


You would be much better served to use the pictured electronic one^ a few posts above my post here. 537 were terribly lop sided anyways.
 
I have a bunch of the 3 prong flashers I have been taking out of the new Ford Interceptors. Havent yet figured out why they put them in there. The wont flash a LED light.
 
The FA3 Federal Signal flasher (pictured in the above post) is the newer no-load one with the ground wire. It will work with LEDs.


The older FA3 flasher (with only the 3 wires) are for halogen/incandescent/sealed beams and need a load to start the flashing.


Both are 10 amps per side in a simple wig-wag pattern.


-Pete
 
Not totally related but I seem to remember years ago reading some sealed beam literature that stated for bulb(s) longevity the flash rate should not allow the filament(s) to go total dark in between flashes. I scored a NOS motor flasher on the E for my old rescue's par 46 box lights. I always disliked 537 for lopsidedness and their tendencies to lock up when at a less than adequate voltage or just because. I've had much better success with a 552 and a relay, using one bulb (or horn) to add ballast to flash the relay coil and the N O (and N C contacts for the other if four bulb total), but I do understand none of this would apply to a correct light bar restoration. My simple hi lo horns were a hoot tho...and I have this left over case of 552 flashers and relays....hmmm, what noisy things can I wig wag next...


:undecided:
 
twodogs603 said:
I have a bunch of the 3 prong flashers I have been taking out of the new Ford Interceptors. Havent yet figured out why they put them in there. The wont flash a LED light.

Were they in the trunk area? Most likely to flash halogen trunk lights.
 
LED said:
Were they in the trunk area? Most likely to flash halogen trunk lights.

Nope, under the hood. It was designed for grill lights, but with everyone going to LED's it baffles me as to why they would put them in.
 

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