To all intents & purposes (For V=IR) then yes they're treated the same & the mains is a better constant voltage than most unregulated sources you come across (I suppose by default as it powers them)
Fast indicator
Oct 20, 2003
26 Replies
Well, cars are DC systems, but AC values are quoted as RMS[1] and can be used in ohms law & power equations happily. Effectively you can have Irms = Vrms / R. The actual peak voltage is a factor of 1.414[2] higher than the RMS supply, so for 230v mains the peak is about 325v.
The message from "David Hearn" contains these words:
No, the resistance /increases/ with less bulbs.
Ahhh, forgetting about parallel siring. Thanks all for pointing this out, my apologies. After thinking about slow flashers (hey I'm only in my 30s ya know) I'm thinking about cold weather effects! :)
Less resistance, not less current...
If you want proof, find an old car, try the flashers. Then remove a bulb and try again.
Then do it with a new car
In other words, - see for yourself!
All, I appear to have started something of a debate on this, but the problem was indeed simply that an indicator had blown and I hadn't noticed!
Thanks all for your help (even Conor the sarcastic so and so)
It amazes me how someone can spare the time to post on a news group for something as simple as this AND not bother to walk round and check their lights first!!
(opps.....getting flame proof suit out of wardrobe)
GD
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