Author Topic: Hazard (Emergency) flashers  (Read 2786 times)

Larry & Norma

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, England, Southampton
  • Posts: 1090
Hazard (Emergency) flashers
« on: May 24, 2018, 18:51:00 »
My 280SL has a hazard switch that looks like a dealer install, does anyone know how this was wired?
Larry Hall (Gnuface)
2023 Ioniq6
2005 C230
1970 280SL

450sl

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Netherlands, Gelderland, zelhem
  • Posts: 494
Re: Hazard (Emergency) flashers
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2018, 13:29:57 »
maybe this helps

Larry & Norma

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, England, Southampton
  • Posts: 1090
Re: Hazard (Emergency) flashers
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2018, 13:40:00 »
Thanks, just trying to get the emergency flashers working after converting to LED indicators.
Larry Hall (Gnuface)
2023 Ioniq6
2005 C230
1970 280SL

66andBlue

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Solana Beach
  • Posts: 4735
Re: Hazard (Emergency) flashers
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2018, 21:23:08 »
Hi Larry,
have seen this info in the technical manual?
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/FlasherRelay

Also perhaps these long discussions here might help:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=17648
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=22863
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

Larry & Norma

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, England, Southampton
  • Posts: 1090
Re: Hazard (Emergency) flashers
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2018, 07:53:39 »
Thanks Alfred, my searches missed most of that!

It looks like no-one has fixed the emergency flasher working as yet.

The Mercedes switch is quite complicated and has its own internal flasher requiring the load resistance  of
filament bulbs.

With LED's a 3pole changeover switch and 3 diodes could be used, if such a switch was available similar to the Mercedes.
Additional wiring would be required.
Now for a search for a suitable switch...……….

Larry Hall (Gnuface)
2023 Ioniq6
2005 C230
1970 280SL

Tyler S

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Encinitas
  • Posts: 1613
Re: Hazard (Emergency) flashers
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2018, 14:08:41 »
There are 2 ways to fix this.
 You can install a 2 pole electronic LED flasher in series on the power wire feeding the hazard switch/relay. This works because the Hazard flasher contacts default state is closed when the knob is pulled. Only when a significant load is placed on the relay will the internal spring heat up and break contact to extinguish the bulbs. Once cooled (milliseconds), the spring contact again closes and lights the lamps. This process of opening and closing give you your flasher function. The higher the load, the less "On" time the bulbs will have.

 Or you can install a 6 ohm dummy load (resistor) at each tail light signal socket OR each front turn signal socket.
This second option also allows the turn signals to use their original flasher relay. Ideally you would want to find loads that equal about 36 watts including the LED's. A 4 ohm load resistor at 12 volts will draw 36 watts. (LED bulb wattage X 2 + load wattage) However,  Bulbs in our cars are 18 watts each and there are also voltage drops in the wiring as well as the peanut bulbs in the dash. A readily available 6 ohm load resistor will suffice.  Installing them in front will make them less visible as well as not having to cut any wires. Simply solder them between the lamp socket power and ground wires. The drawback of this setup is they still consume the same power as incandescent bulbs. 
« Last Edit: May 26, 2018, 15:08:16 by Tyler S. »
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

Larry & Norma

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, England, Southampton
  • Posts: 1090
Re: Hazard (Emergency) flashers
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2018, 08:27:07 »
Hi Tyler,
I am aware of this get out but wanted to solve the problem without resorting
to dummy loads.
I have a switch on order which will hopefully help me produce a solution.
Larry Hall (Gnuface)
2023 Ioniq6
2005 C230
1970 280SL

Tyler S

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Encinitas
  • Posts: 1613
Re: Hazard (Emergency) flashers
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2018, 19:00:37 »
Then a 2 pole flasher designed for LED's wired into the power feed to the existing hazard switch will work. You leave the existing hazard switch in place and operate it via its original push/pull function. You can remove that peticular wire/pin from either end at a connector and make a small jumper harness with the new flasher so no wires will need to be cut.
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)