Electronics > Beginners

issues install flashing module a car 3rd brake light

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james_s:
I was going off of this when I looked into them:
https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g1195/10-car-options-the-law-wont-let-you-have/

I notice now it's several years old so maybe things have changed. I do advise consulting the laws in your state though as well as any states you may decide to drive in. I've been very tempted to get one as they do certainly grab my attention but having dealt with insurance adjusters before it makes me nervous.

wojtek077:

--- Quote from: Gregg on July 02, 2019, 02:24:55 am --- 

If you don’t want to roll your own opto isolated relay, here is a cheap module rated for 30 unrealistic amps but should be fine for your light.

--- End quote ---

I might do that keep it separate circuit or tap into the taillights. I was thinking doing as last option. Still might think over to either keep flasher you guys valid legal points.

SparkyFX:
The output to the third brake light might be PWM controlled anyway.

Brumby:

--- Quote from: james_s on July 02, 2019, 12:09:41 am ---I'm not sure how it could be confusing,
--- End quote ---
I tend to agree.  The flashing occurs at the beginning and then stays on.  By the time someone starts actively looking at it, it is likely to be a steady light.  Once they get to consciously realise that it's a brake light, then if it repeats the behaviour, it won't be so much of a surprise.


--- Quote ---I see them all over and they're certainly eye catching.
--- End quote ---
That's the point.  Something that is changing in your field of view will get your attention.  A single change like a light coming on might get missed if you blink - but flashing a few times is much more noticeable.  Unless you notice a change, you might not see the light at all.

A comparison situation is one that has happened to me once or twice whilst driving at night.  I will be driving towards a set of traffic lights that are green and I may have glanced in my rear view mirror, across at another vehicle or some other potential hazard and when my eyes return to the road ahead, the lights have changed to amber in that fraction of a second.  The amber traffic lights then disappear into the field of sodium vapour street lights and become one group.  I then have to realise this before I can react.  This doesn't take long - but it does take time.  SEEING the change from green to amber provides instant understanding.


--- Quote ---The problem I see is that in the US anyway they are illegal and that means if you do get in an accident it could cause big headaches if an insurance adjuster notices you have it. Their whole job essentially is to find loopholes to weasel out of paying your claim.

--- End quote ---
Legal requirements for vehicles, including lighting, are to ensure things perform to a minimum set standard.  To have things certified as doing so requires some hoops to be jumped through and that can take time and money that only a serious local seller would bother doing if they wanted a marketing advantage.  Correct me if I'm wrong - but the onus for legality doesn't lie with the person who sells such after market products, but with those who use it.

One consequence can be that you may have a product that will exceed the required standards - but if it hasn't been granted formal certification, then you could be in for some trouble of one sort or another.  Insurance adjusters are one potential source.

forrestc:

--- Quote from: wojtek077 on July 01, 2019, 06:13:51 am ---I'm trying to installing a flashing module for my third brake light on my car. I'm having problems with flasher working properly when car's running but when the car is in the on position it works fine. The third brake light goes straight thru a body control module. I tried putting a resistor because as the cars running voltage goes up. I thought the body control module was trying to limit the current. I think problem is that voltage goes to 3v not 0v but the same thing happens when car's in on position. I'm lost now what guys think I should do next?

--- End quote ---

Having just dealt with a similar issue with replacing incandescent bulbs with LED's....

Can you clarify what type of bulbs are in use in the third brake light.  What type of car?

If this is a modern car with LED's you might find that this isn't going to work since the body control module may include some LED driver circuitry in it.   

Have you measured across the third brake light when it is powered on (i.e. brake pedal depressed)?   Is it 12V on and 0V off?

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