winker relay

linmictil2 · Post by **linmictil2** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 5:40 pm

Can anyone give me a laymans answer on how a winker relay works? Thanks Mike

Wilf · Post by **Wilf** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:39 am

Mike,

When the switch is activated, current flows through the winker bulbs and a bi-metal spring to energize the relay coil. That current heats up the spring causing it to break the contact to coil--the winker bulbs go off. With no current flowing through the spring any more, it cools down and bends back to its original position, re-establishing the connection to the relay coil. This cycle repeats itself until the handle-bar switch is put back in its neutral position.

Wilf

linmictil2 · Post by **linmictil2** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 10:57 am

Thanks Wilf: So would I be correct in assuming that if one of the two bulbs (front and back) is bad there would be no action from the relay? Not as much current going through the relay?
Thanks Mike

Wilf · Post by **Wilf** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:24 pm

Yes, that's usually what happens--because there is only half the current, the bi-metal spring will take forever to heat up enough to break the circuit, so the bulb remains lit.

Also, if a blown bulb is replaced with a new one of a different wattage, the wink rate will either speed up or slow down as opposed to the standard 80 (?) winks per minute. That's the reason why LED winkers, such as I have on my Super Hawk, require a totally different winker relay.

Wilf

linmictil2 · Post by **linmictil2** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:37 pm

That clears it all up for me Thank you.... Glad I didn't opt for the more expensive relay when I ordered a new one. $5.95 mistake isn't too bad:) I guess I will put the original back in and wait for the bulbs to come.. Thanks again mike

Wilf · Post by **Wilf** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 2:12 pm

Mike,

I and perhaps others would appreciate knowing what happens with your winkers when you poke the new bulb(s) in.

You're welcome, but I'm curious about what led to the $5.95 mistake.

Wilf

jensen · Post by **jensen** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:56 am

Hi,

It took some time to understand the word Layman but I found it (not realy a laymans answer) :

A layperson or layman is a person who isn't an expert in a given field of knowledge. The term originally meant a member of the laity, i.e. a non-clergymen, but over the centuries shifted in definition.

The concept of describing something in layman's terms has come into wide use in the English speaking world. To put something in layman's terms is to describe a complex or technical issue using words and terms that the average individual (someone without professional training in the subject area) can understand, so that they may comprehend the issue to some degree.

Layman, 'laity': In short: "laity" means "common people". The English word "laity" comes from the Greek laikos which meant "of the people", "common" (common, in the meaning "unholy", "unclean" and similar). The related verb laikoô meant "to make common", "to desecrate".

(thanks to wikipedia)

As usual, things are more complicated then most people think (want), therefor a laymans anwer isn't solving your problem probably. Look at my explanation in the thread C77 winker in this section.

The condenser, resistor and coil setup are determining the switching time. No bi-metal in there.

Make sure the relay is wirered to ground, otherwise the relay won't work. Do you have the type with extra ground wire or without the ground wire ? again, see this thread :
http://www.honda305.com/forums/viewtopi ... sc&start=0

regards,

Jensen