Brake light flasher or strobe? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SD Blue · #1 01-11-2006, 11:37 AM

I have read several posts lately about folks being rear-ended, even at stop lights. Recently, I have seen drivers, locally, with a flasher system for their brake lights (actually not the OE brake lights but add-ons). They only flash when the brakes are applied. Has anyone seen or done this type of modification?

My thoughts are to add a third brake light and set it up with either a strobe or flasher. I know their are legal questions, which will vary greatly from state-to-state, and am looking into that side of it.

Also, has anyone seen an aftermarket kit?

boneheaddoctor · #2 01-11-2006, 11:42 AM

I doubt that would get the attention from a cell phone operator oblivious to the road in front of them.....you need a device that makes cell phones in your vicinity explode.

Ralph69220d · #3 01-11-2006, 11:43 AM

Haven't seen kits for strobe or flasher, but in relation to being rear-ended there is a safer alternative than standard filament type bulbs. A filament bulb takes ~100 ms to fully lite, whereas LED's are much much faster. This 100ms difference can make quite a difference when one calculates how many feet per second a car behind moves at 60, 50, 40 mph, etc.

SD Blue · #4 01-11-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

I doubt that would get the attention from a cell phone operator oblivious to the road in front of them.....you need a device that makes cell phones in your vicinity explode.

Hmmm...., maybe a transmitter that cuts in on a cell phone and yells...BRAKES!!

That will be the next electronic gizmo on the drawing board.

boneheaddoctor · #5 01-11-2006, 12:49 PM

There are cell phone jaming devices availible outside the USA......would force people in your area to hang up and drive for a change....they are commonly used to prevent the self obsesed ignorant cell phone users from ruining the theater experience or their meal..........

no its technically not legal here but they need to prove its you to do anything...

Jim H · #6 01-11-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

My thoughts are to add a third brake light and set it up with either a strobe or flasher. I know their are legal questions, which will vary greatly from state-to-state, and am looking into that side of it....

Yes, displaying a flashing red light could be illegal, mimicing police.

Why not just 'tap' the pedal a few times and then apply steady pressure?

boneheaddoctor · #7 01-11-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim H

Yes, displaying a flashing red light could be illegal, mimicing police.

Why not just 'tap' the pedal a few times and then apply steady pressure?

or a rear facing fog horn........that comes on with the brakes from a ocean going vessel.

That will wake them up.

Pete Burton · #8 01-11-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

I have read several posts lately about folks being rear-ended, even at stop lights. Recently, I have seen drivers, locally, with a flasher system for their brake lights (actually not the OE brake lights but add-ons). They only flash when the brakes are applied. Has anyone seen or done this type of modification?

My thoughts are to add a third brake light and set it up with either a strobe or flasher. I know their are legal questions, which will vary greatly from state-to-state, and am looking into that side of it.

Also, has anyone seen an aftermarket kit?

Legal Questions? Heck, you'd attract every epileptic trial lawyer in the Lone Star state faster than dogs to a gutwagon!

TX76513 · #9 01-11-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

There are cell phone jaming devices availible outside the USA......would force people in your area to hang up and drive for a change....they are commonly used to prevent the self obsesed ignorant cell phone users from ruining the theater experience or their meal..........

no its technically not legal here but they need to prove its you to do anything...

BHD they can be had in the US, they are used in classrooms, etc. Low power and effective for 50' but would be interesting to have mobile

phidauex · #10 01-11-2006, 02:15 PM

Brake light flashers (along with headlight modulators) are popular on motorcycles, they have been for a long time. I'm hesitant to recommend them for cars, partially because the only way us bikers stay safe is by keeping one step ahead of cars in terms of lighting, if you get brake light flashers, we'll need to make up something new!

They are easy to make with a PIC microcontroller, if you are handy with them, or you can buy them for not much money.

Here is a good source, they sell a lot to the motorcycle world, and are about 30$. I'd recommend the one that flashes 4 times in 3 seconds, then stays fully on.

http://www.comagination.com/bflasher.htm

Legality? It differs by location, but here is a general brakedown (pun intended).

Having all your brake lights flash constantly is probably NOT legal in your area.

Having just your third brake light flash constantly is probably NOT legal, but is probably subtle enough to get away with.

Having all your brake lights flash a few times, then stay on solid is probably legal, but might attract some attention.

Having your third brake light flash a few times, then stay on solid is probably the most legal.

Its important to note that these aren't 'strobing' your rear lights. Strobe has a very specific definition when it comes to automobile lights, and is generally illegal, because it emulates emergency vehicles, and can cause target fixation. Flashing, or modulating, is more legal. My headlight modulator on my bike, for instance, pulses between 20% brightness and 100% brightness 240 times per minute, or 4 times a second. Its not a 'strobe', and it doesn't look anything like an emergency vehicle, and it doesn't cause target fixation, hence, its legal. If it really DID strobe, it would definetly be illegal.

Anyway, hope this helps! My personal recommendation would be to buy the unit that flashes 4 times in 3 seconds, then stays on solid, and install it on your third brake light only.

If you want to go with LED bulbs, be careful! There are a LOT of crappy ones on the market, that are actually DIMMER than regular bulbs. They should have 8 or more LEDS, preferably with some in a side-emitting stance, since your tail lights don't just shoot out the back, but also out the sides. Expect to pay more for something that is an actual improvement. I've seen a LOT of people buy cheap LED bulbs, and come away disappointed (and less safe) because of it. Yes, they turn on faster, but if they aren't any brighter, whats the point?

Read this page, which is a review of some LED bulbs for motorcycles, but they are usable in cars too, and there is a lot of good general information about that type of bulb:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/led/led.htm

Enjoy!

Peace,
Sam

pawoSD · #11 01-11-2006, 03:08 PM

I've seen several Kia Sportage "SUV's" with their OEM third brake light that would flash three times then go steady when the person went on the brakes....so it must be legal.

whunter · #12 01-11-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

I doubt that would get the attention from a cell phone operator oblivious to the road in front of them.....you need a device that makes cell phones in your vicinity explode.

EEK, what a nasty idea.

EMP/Shock Generators
http://www.amazing1.com/emp.htm

boneheaddoctor · #13 01-11-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

EEK, what a nasty idea.

EMP/Shock Generators
http://www.amazing1.com/emp.htm

I'm sure you have them up your way too...speed all over the map...they are all over the road becasue their precious cell phone call is so important driving safely doesn't matter to them.

SD Blue · #14 01-11-2006, 04:43 PM

The reason I mentioned the third brake light is that it is not actually "stated" as being against any regultion to have it flash. Maybe because it is not a"required" brake light. (In fact, it was tested on public roads in the Republic of Kalifornia so it must not be too outrageous.)

The website you mentioned is similar to another one I found that has the electronic module for controlling a 4 flash then steady set up. I also found a DIY schematic for home building a circuit that does this.

When I mentioned strobe, the idea that came to mind was the addition of a small strobe inside the brake light. This would be similar to the modulated headlight idea with the light on and a higher intensity strobe.

Now all I need to do is find a third brake light that looks OE.

SD Blue · #15 01-11-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

I doubt that would get the attention from a cell phone operator oblivious to the road in front of them.....you need a device that makes cell phones in your vicinity explode.

YOWCH!!!!!! I would be afraid of setting mine off (I use a hands free with my phone usually in my pocket

)That is "a little to close to home".