IceShark

Ok, I have checked out the new idea of an attention getting brake light. I have the primary emergency/cop car supplier sending me a sample of a strip of 4x10 LEDs (40 total) that should fit in our 3rd eye and a control unit that has about 10 different flash cycle options.

This will end up costing nearly $100. The control unit can also drive other LEDs if you ever end up going that way.

Is this worth it? Anyone interested?

A couple items to keep in mind. If you want to flash a halogen bulb you just can't flash it fast due to the filament cooling down and still putting out light. The experts have told me to forget that idea. Ever seen cop headlights flashing side to side? That is about as fast as you can do it, which is pretty slow.

The LEDs are going to put out similar heat as a normal bulb for similar light output. I knew this but it was gratifying to hear a leading manufacturer say it flat out and not bull$hit on how cold LEDs are. So I will need to measure heat in the test run.

TaboII

IceShark,

Soething to consider in this product. Though a blinking third light is a great idea see if there is a way to make it blink faster or slower with the amount of force deliverd to the peddle.

Slowly if only minimal pressure is applied
Moderate if moderate pressure is applied and
Quickly if heavy peressure is applied.

I thiknk there is another company that does this already,

"Not sure but I think it is Volvo"

Now that would be a nice addition.

Consider some form or pressure sensor or possibly the use of the speed reference sencor some how.

Just my .002 as a fellow techie.

IceShark

Tabo, I thought about that. But that just pushes the price up since you would need to stick in a sensor in the brake line or maybe tap off the ABS control.

The more I thought about it, what I would want is to just catch the cell phone soccer mom's eye before she rear-ends me. I don't care if I'm slowing down or hard on brakes, just get that moron's attention!

RSflared72e

Sounds like a cool idea. Without strapping too much goofy safety equipment on (ever seen the "OSHA Cowboy" cartoon?), I wouldn't mind making my car a little more visible to the soccer moms as well...$100 bucks sounds a little steep to get mass appeal, though...

IceShark

91S2, Yeah, I think $100 is a bit expensive also. It is the 40 LEDs that are top notch quality that is really killing us. These components are the ones going on trooper/cop/emergency vehicles. Not some cheap ricer crap, these are built to last and perform.

I suppose Brian (Perry951) could tell you more about LEDs all day long. There are LEDs and then there are GOOD LEDs.

I'm checking this out because we can remove the red lens of our third eye. If it works then we are in business.

Peckster

IMO, this would be of limited value. The people following you would have no idea what different flash rates indicated

hoffman912

isnt this what f1 break lights do?

Skip

Is it legal to have flashing red lights on the rear?

Peckster

F1 brake lights?

Marc Gelefsky

F1 cars have brake lights??

The only light I ever notice is the one they use in poor weather.

Peckster

They were talking about it in 2001, but it never went anywhere. They would come on when you braked or lifted.

And there was never any talk about flashing brake lights, let alone variable rates, that I recall.

Just the rain light.

Ag951

I've seen some suvs on the road that do a few quick flashes, then go solid.
It's really annoying at night.

Fishey

I think its illigal... Not to mention dangerous....

IceShark

I'm pretty sure it would be illegal on a local basis in most areas because authorities don't want you mimicking emergency vehicles. Based on my discussions I don't think any LEOs would stop and ticket you, though. Especially for just the third brake light.

But the blinking would have to go solid after 5 to 10 seconds or as noted you will drive everyone behind you crazy.

I'll go forward and test this out and see how it goes. My ex-wife used to put her makeup on going into work in the traffic jams. Lord knows what she is doing now that she also has a cell phone. This is the type I want catch their attention and get them back to driving.

odie

check your local Harley dealer. They have kits now for flashing brake lights.

I think there are even LED versions of 1157 bulbs that will flash in several of the aftermarket Harley catalogs. Could be as simple as swapping bulbs.