Why it's not possible to synchronize turn signals (but also absolutely is)

Use your blinkers.

Links 'n Stuff
Aging Wheels' video on my Figaro:
My old turn signal video:

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00:00 Intro
01:15 History of turn signals
02:35 Basic controls overview
04:44 Turn signal switch
05:30 The Thermal Flasher
07:13 Mechanism and operation
09:24 Why synchronization isn't possible
11:41 Modern flasher design (capacitor)
15:47 LEDs and a public service announcement
20:12 Electronic flasher (aftermarket)
21:21 OEM electronic flashers
22:53 Hyperflashing
24:55 Modern cars and what changed
29:29 Computerization and CAN bus
31:45 The Answer - What that means for turn signals
33:10 Fun Facts and closing thoughts
35:25 Bloopers

[TechnologyConnections]

Hi! If you think this video is long, well I’ll have you know I cut two entire sections from it! Including this bit about hyperflashing:
When I was setting this demo up, I was surprised to learn that the thermal flasher doesn’t change speed depending on how many lamps are in-circuit. I thought that this was just a thing all flashers have always done. But once I worked out how this particular flasher functioned, I realized that of course it doesn’t hyperflash with a bulb out because that’s just not possible with its design. Same goes for the capacitor-based model shown here. I had honestly been assuming the Figaro had a thermal flasher, and finding out that it has a more-complicated flasher than the LED-compatible electronic one was quite the discovery!
There probably are some thermal designs out there which will change speed based on the current flowing through them, but I don’t know the particulars. If you do, let us know!

[AndrewCamarata]

37 minute video about turn signals; Time well spent.

[Nighthawkinlight]

I for one am thankful the engineers worked so hard to satisfy my deep internal need for blinker synchronization.

[DBZ_-nifq]

No joke - this question and observation has been stuck in my head ever since I was a kid and noticed it. And I CAN NOT BELIEVE, 15+ years later I’ve finally found a YouTuber that answered my question with a 37 minutes long video. Cheers to you!

[jlinkels]

I have been working on cars for 50 years, and next year I am an electric engineer for 40 years. I know the thermal flasher all too well. But I never saw the capacitor/relay flasher. One is never too old too learn. You run a very informative channel.

[MattButzen]

I know it gets said a lot, but I genuinely don't understand how you make seemingly dull topics so exciting and engaging even with lengthy videos. Cheers!

[hopelesswanderer]

"I'm going down this rabbit hole so you don't have to" should be the motto of the channel.

[elijahwatson]

"There is no way I can be interested in a video about turn signals for 37 minutes"

(37 minutes later) "Well, I'll be damned."

[budgetguitarist]

With over 9 and a half THOUSAND comments, I'm mostly leaving this comment for my own sense of justice. THANK GOD FOR THIS CHANNEL AND VIDEOS LIKE THIS ONE! I sometimes think I'm the only person who thinks about topics like this and details like these. I love the fact that I'm not alone... and almost two million people have watched this!!! I feel validated. Thank you for this outstanding piece of research.

[jtcpnfr]

Now imagine this: since cars these days are always connected to the internet and have pretty accurate clocks, a manufacturer could make all of their cars flash their turn signals completely in sync. All the time.

[peteragurkis]

I love this channel, you discuss seemingly mundane concepts that everyone has wondered about at one point but never cared to research, but you explain them in an interesting and easy to understand manner and I also love how you delve into the history of the technologies at play. This is the pinnacle of youtube, being interested in a 40 minute educational video about turn signals

[AnonMedic]

"I wanted to see if I could sink my flasher to a BMW; but have literally never had the opportunity" had me lmfao

[scout]

33:55 Being able to adjust the volume of warning sounds is such a nice feature! I have sensitive ears, and I rarely drive at highway speeds, so loud alerts can be so startling that it worsens my reaction time. I will definitely be testing whether the volume of the turn signals is impacted by that setting.

[userjack]

"For fun I've tried to see if BMW used the same flash frequency as GM, but I've literally never had an opportunity to check for some reason."

Fantastic BMW driver joke.

[Simoneister]

"The magic of buying…three of them"
You've betrayed me

[TmoVie]

Technology Connections: "Turns out there's a very simple explanation"
Me: *Looks at the length of the video*

[fransb]

I'm binge watching this channel, so far I haven't seen one I didn't like yet. You have a gift to explain away complexity in a way that makes the most mundane subjects interesting. Thank you for the content!

[mrmeow]

I admire how a seemingly trivial question is rewarded with lots of clever engineering solutions and historic details. This really is the essence of the greatness of this channel!

[shaunsaggers]

"look, I'm going down this rabbit hole so you don't have to."
most understanding and considerate thing I've ever heard in a youtube video. I feel seen.

[magdalenazivkovic]

I think the reason your videos are so soothing is because they're effectively elaborate grounding methods: they focus on some small part of our physical environment and go into as much depth as possible.