I've been looking at flashers and I see they're available in 2, 3 4, or even 5 pins. Some have a wire coming out of the case. The pinouts are all different, with power, load(s) and grounds on different pins. What a confusing mess.
I see mechanical (bimetal) flashers and I know how they work, and they're usually 2-pin and typically won't work with LED lights. Then I see hybrid (electro-mechanical) flashers that use electronic circuitry to open and close a relay independent of load. Some of these are 2 pin and some have 3 or more pins. Since there's electronic circuitry involved I don't understand how they can get by with 2 pins, just power and a load, and without a ground....or maybe that's why some have the wire coming out of the case? But I also see 3 pin flashers with the external wire. Then there's the all electronic flashers that don't have any contacts, and switching is done by transistors inside. I don't think these make sound when they switch and I want to hear when they're working.
I see "combination" flashers that run both hazard lights and turn signals. However, I can't find any internal wiring diagrams that show how they work. Some have 3, some have 4, and some have 5 pins. Not sure what the difference is internally.
So.....I have a Flaming River column and it uses a "Standard" GM wiring scheme. It has a separate power input for the hazard lights and one for the turn signals. I thought I used to know why you couldn't use one flasher for both, but I can't remember. I think it's because you want flashers to work without the key on, and the turn signals to only work with the key on. Is there any other reason for two flashers?
I want to use LED taillights, rear brake/turn signals, and front park/turn lights. So I need an electronic flasher (or two) of some kind. I think I want a hybrid flasher so I can hear it when the turn signals are on. It would be nice to do it with ONE, but I do want the turn signals to only work with the key on. Can ONE combination flasher do that? If not, what type do I use and how do I identify one from the other?
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