David Schiff

i am terrified of those yahoos that tailgate and you know they cant stop as fast as us. so i thought about one of those speed sensitive flashers for the third brake light, anybody done it, thoughts?
with alL those blacked out windows on the toyotas, and other cut down rice rockets i doubt the fuzz would care. thanks for the isput. ds

JohnCh

Check out the SmartBrake from http://www.cadentech.com/. It flashes the brake lights 3 times upon brake application and then goes steady. On my Westfield I am using their SmartFlash unit which marries the SmartBrake module to self-canceling turn signal module (not something you need on a normal car). I opted to hook up the brake feature just to the 3rd-brake light on my roll bar and I was really surprised by its effectiveness. The Westfield seems to attract tailgaters who want to get a closer look at the car. Before the installing this setup, hitting my brakes once to get these people to back off was effective less than half the time -- it just didn't register with them that I was slowing down. With the SmartBrake, a simple tap of the brakes is nearly always effective.

Note: Cadent Technologies doesn't focus on direct to consumer, so their website is pretty poor. If you follow the link to the SmartBrake module, you will see the correct pricing, but the description is actually for the SmartSwitch (sigh). You can, however, find a detailed description of the SmartBrake functionality within the description of the SmartFlash. I found a phone call was the best way to deal with them.

BobbyT

I'm interested in this too. It seems that every time I get on the freeway lately, even driving at anything less than triple digits, when I look in the mirror, there is a monster SUV five feet off my bumper, driven by someone with a cellphone screwed to their head.

JohnCh: What unit did you buy from Cadent, how is it wired up, and where did you mount it?

JohnCh

BobbyT, I am using their SmartFlash unit which includes the SmartBrake module. To clarify, the primary purpose of the SmartFlash is to provide self cancelling capability for turn signals on vehicles not equipped with normal steering column setups. Obviously this is not something you need for a normal production car like a 993, but the Westfield is a different story (here is a picture of my car in case you aren’t familiar with the breed).

The module is pretty small. The dimensions are listed as 2x3x4, but as I recall it is closer to 2x3x3/4. I simply spliced it into my wiring harness and tie wrapped it behind the dash. Here is a wiring diagram which might help.

BobbyT

Thanks, JohnCh. All I want to do is flash the center high-mounted brake light on the basket handle (my 993 is a 1995 model). What do I need to do this, just the SmartBrake module? Could it be just wired inline in the circuit to this light?

I'll call Cadent to order, but you are very well informed on what we are trying to do here, so I appreciate your help.

2ndof2

Awsome idea. Wonder how that works for those idiots who think green means go right from a standstill at a light whether or not the car in front of them has started rolling forward or not. I had an SUV roll right onto the back of my car smashing out the center taillight section and my rear bumper cover. It would be cool if the center light had a manual override where it would remain flashing if you wanted it to until the car started moving forward again. I now make a habit of keeping my foot on the brake pedal while stopped at lights (like I'm supposed to do according to traffic school)

texas911

Just pump your brakes.

tj90

I personally cant stand those flashers, a couple times I have gotten behind someone with a flasher in stop and go traffic. Luckily I was in my pickup. I found that by rolling up close to a car, the flashing light was below me and not in my face. Maybe thats why people tailgate - not because they want a closer look, but they are trying to get above it!!!

JohnCh

Tj90, they are annoying for the car behind, but when I am in the Westfield, I would rather annoy the latte drinking, cell phone talking SUV pilot behind me, than have them drive over the top of me. I don't have this fitted to my daily driver and have no intention of adding it for the very reason you point out.

BobbyT, it should just wire in between the brake light switch and the hot lead of the third brake light.

-John

Edward

Agree with pump your brakes. I made this a habit from my old motorcycling days (where you REALLY didn't want anyone coming up your 6 o'clock). So on every car I've owned that has a brake pedal switch, I adjust it so that the lightest tap actuates the brake lamps. That way, I can pulse my brake lights when *I* feel like it's necessary w/o actually rocking the car as I pulse the pedal.

Edward

David Schiff

Thanks for the input/opinions. i just ordered a Tailblazer from a m/c shop, will connect to the basket handle, flashes fast, then slower then steady on. dont kn ow how the load will affect it. will write later, would link but dont know how.ds