positive ground

On my Austin A40 I have the semafores (frafficators) that where originally positive ground,will they work just the same if I wire them negitive ground? or will it burn them out.

 

Most accessory items on a car work just as well one way or the other except some radios. This might be a time you need some of the UK Hambers to chime in and give an answer.

 

Won't burn them out but might not work. I'd try it with a battery with a series light for current limiting.

 

Hefty,They what do ya mean by series light? They where 12 v positive ground originally.

 

If they worked before they will work now. Getting them to work in the first place is the tricky bit.

 

They should work just fine...well about as good as any Lucas stuff will work.

 

Thanks for the help guys,I have them wired to a seperate switch so they don't flip out at hwy speeds when turn signals are used.I just didn't know about the connection on them,now I can test them. Thanks again

 

I have never heard of semafores and frafficators. However my friend had a 53 Sunbeam Talbot 90 with TRAFFICATORS on it. IIRC these things were really horrible when going down the road. Also I believe they had a coil that would act as an electromagnet, but I believe the arm had a regular permanent magnet. If so, the polarity issue might cause the unit to retract even farther into the body.

To test simply put a small 12V battery to the circuit and ground, reversing the leads of course, and see if it works. If so, then your question is answered.

But I am thinking that the arms will simply retract more so.

If you want the trafficators to work on the highway (***uming that they are polarity sensitive), then simply build a CD unit with 16 volt output. To retract simply reverse the polarity.

A simple timer circuit would allow the arms to retract, then switch back to no voltage.

Very simple to do! Simply put.

ps: I will ask my bud if he can check them out on one of his cars.

Thank you and good luck!

 

So far as I know you are the first person on the HAMB to inquire about bodging your trafficators.

 

Well I want them to work,no use having them if they don't work.

Hey D2 if you could check with your buddy on the wiring that would be awesome.

 

I did and he claims that the electromagnet will work in either polarity.

 

D2 willys, thank you for your help can't wait to get them working.thanks again

 

My left trafficator uses SPF 30 and conveys disgust at times.

 

Hey Mash im not sure what you mean

 

Never used hand signals?

 

Although it is technically an electromagnet, if you need one at the parts store I suggest you ask for a solenoid.

 

Solenoids are electromagnets, but also have a self contained actuation rod or lever. This trafficator contraption does not have a self contained actuating rod, it simply attracts the metal of the trafficator arm. BTW: My buddy is sending me a couple off his old Sunbeam Talbot 90 saloons. I can then mess around with getting them to work more efficiently.

Thank you and good luck

 

Shows what you know There are at least 15 threads that mention Trafficators! And I'm sure even more with creative spelling

 

I'm not going to ask how many threads there are about fiddling with your hooters.