HOW I CONVERTED A HEALEY BJ8 TO LED TURN SIGNALS
Two types of conversions are available.
One is to buy the appropriate LED bulbs from SUPERBRIGHTLEDS.COM, and replace the existing incandecesant bulbs in the car.
The other is to order the special LED conversion boards from CLASSICAUTOLEDS.COM, and, following the excellent instructions included, wire them easily into your turn signal housings.
I Chose the Classic Auto boards because they are so much brighter.
Either way, when you are doing this to a Healey BJ8, which has two turn signal indicators on the dashboard, you will need to do the following also.
Because of the tiny amount of voltage required to operate the new LED`s two things will happen. First, they won’t flash with the original mechanical flasher, and second, after you install the proper electronic flasher, you will get a selection of results. No flashing, all 4 flashing, and the correct side flashing with the opposite side dimly flashing also. (Ghost flashing).
This is because of the way the BJ8 has its two individual dashboard flashers wired into the turn signal circuit.
Study figure 1, and you will see that the dash indicator bulbs are fed from both directions! The original set up relies on the electrical fact that when 12v meets 12v, it cancels out and nothing happens. There is a trace amount of voltage that goes through, but not enough to light the incandescing filament. When you operate that circuit at such low voltage levels, as with the new LED system, the LED bulbs will accept that tiny amount and light.
Moss Motors has developed a ballast resistor to solve this, but I have not tried that yet. I have found another way.
Looking over Norman Nock`s book, “TECH TALK” (available from britishcarspecialist.com) I put two of his articles together and tried this process, and it works great.
I install the Moss Motors Healey electronic flasher, PN 141-747, hooking the black wire coming out of the flasher to the mounting screw ground. Then hook up the green wire to “B” and the….. wire to the “L” terminals on the new flasher, (just as original), then instead of hooking the Light Green Purple wire to the “P” terminal on the flasher, I hook it to ground also. I know, sounds scary, but look at figure 2. What I have done is create a “normal” circuit out of the two-way indicator lamp circuit. Now the power comes in from the turn signal switch on the steering column, (trafficator), and lights up the lamp and goes to ground, and the new LED`s work as they should!
The small print:
This is intended to show how it worked for me. Since I have no control over your variables, I offer no warranty of suitability. Only qualified persons should attempt work on the electrical systems.
Steve Day
British Car Ranch