Tail Light Flashing LED's

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Tue May 20, 2008 6:47 pm

Does anyone know where to get a Flashing LED kit for our taillights... either specifically for our scooters or a Universal Motorcycle kit? I looked around alittle bit but was unsuccesful.

I am talking about LED's that will flash when the brake is applied...

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Tue May 20, 2008 6:50 pm

here is a modulator that would flash your break lights when applied: www.customdynamics.com/signal_dynamics_ ... ulator.htm

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:12 pm

Awesome... sounds like another evening project

ScootLemont · Post by **ScootLemont** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:40 pm

Not to be Debbie downer but... is that legal?

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:47 pm

I dont care more for technicalities such as "Legal"

, especially when it comes to me being more visible, especially at night. I dont think a cop would have a problem with it either...

Any cops on this board that would like to comment?

ScootLemont · Post by **ScootLemont** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:55 pm

I agree about not worrying too much about legal... but a flashing brake light might get you a lot of attention from cops - not something I would want...
There is a guy in my town that put something on his firebird that flashed the 3rd brake light when he first hits the brakes - if flashes a few times & then it stays on solid (that or he has a short in it - but I dont think so... its been like that for a year or more) sounds like a similar thing to what you are talking about.

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:57 pm

I could just say that I like playing with my brake lever

brimstone · Post by **brimstone** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:03 pm

from what i understand, they're legal. i've seen several of the motorcycles here with them.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:32 pm

Yes, they are legal, it is no different that you using the brake lever rapidly to warn the guys behind you.

Also the front headlight modulators are legal. If anything, the cops mighht question about the front modulators as there seems to be a lack of knowledge amongts them. If you add a headlight modulator, on the storage compartment just stash a copy of the federal law allowing you to have one, just in case.

Piedmont · Post by **Piedmont** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:35 pm

How does the modulated headlight work?

ScootLemont · Post by **ScootLemont** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:41 pm

Well then... I might have to order one of these
http://www.brakeflasher.com/cycle.htm
only $22 & looks easy to install (no wires)

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:51 pm

after just doing the OEM turn signal wiring, I am pretty confident in being able to do install the in-line box for the taillight flashers. I think the boxy one looks wierd...

http://www.customdynamics.com/quad_license.htm

I think this would be neat too... If I do install this, Ill post pictures.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:51 pm

ScootLemont wrote:Well then... I might have to order one of these
http://www.brakeflasher.com/cycle.htm
only $22 & looks easy to install (no wires)

Yeah I was looking into that one as well... one advantage I think it has is that if tuned properly, it will show that there's some slowdown going on when you let off the throttle, even w/o the brake.

kazoo · Post by **kazoo** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:55 pm

It would be nice if these were added to the links page. Hint hint Mr. Corsair.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:56 pm

Legality depends on your state, but I believe they're legal in most. Some have restrictions on the number of times it can blink, speed and duration of the flashing and so on. I think the sites for the products should have any relevant info.

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Tue May 20, 2008 10:03 pm

Yeah, that website for Custom Dynamics has special stuff for different states laws... ie.. Maryland and Wisconsin.

I have a feeling as long as you cant see the blinking red lights from the front, you will be allright.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Tue May 20, 2008 10:03 pm

Piedmont wrote:
How does the modulated headlight work?

Video showing you a side by side with/without modulator: www.motorcyclesafety.state.mn.us/latest ... =5&mid=291

Check out that website, there are lots of great tips.
Also check out the High-Viz page and take the test. We did this a few weeks ago here at Mb, but there is a bunch of new pople. That old thread was: www.modernbuddy.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... ility+tips

addictionriot · Post by **addictionriot** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:21 am

Does it put any kind of drain on the battery? Reason I ask is.. here is what I want to add:

LED ground effects (legal in my state)
Alarm
and possibly something like the above.

Can the battery hold all of that at once?

and a toaster oven for bagel bites. in case I get hungry...

Post by **ericalm** » Tue May 27, 2008 1:57 pm

addictionriot wrote:Does it put any kind of drain on the battery? Reason I ask is.. here is what I want to add:

LED ground effects (legal in my state)
Alarm
and possibly something like the above.

Can the battery hold all of that at once?

and a toaster oven for bagel bites. in case I get hungry...

The battery

be able to run all of that at once, depending on how crazy you get with the LEDs and if they run off some kind of controller. Generally, they require little power. Same with the flasher, which is usually just a small controller and a relay. (Avoid the flashing bulbs with the built-in relays. They often stop working after a while according to several people who have used them.) The alarm runs while the scoot is off, so no big drain there.

Still, you'll probably want to get a battery tender to keep the battery at full strength at all times.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue May 27, 2008 2:10 pm

ScootLemont wrote:Well then... I might have to order one of these
http://www.brakeflasher.com/cycle.htm
only $22 & looks easy to install (no wires)

This is interesting—I hadn't seen the self-contained, battery-operated style of these before. I would think that having one that flashed every time I braked would be best. If someone behind me saw it flash once at an intersection, they may not realize I was braking the next time I stopped if it didn't flash.

The bulky black housing is kind of klunky, but with some drilling this could conceivably be mounted inside a top case or even (maybe) on the back of the license plate frame.

I do have a question for the makers about the self-contained version, though. Since it uses a mercury switch, I have to wonder if it works the same on hills or inclines.

tyger23 · Post by **tyger23** » Tue May 27, 2008 3:45 pm

Knowing a bit about circuits, I'd be afraid that anything using an accelerometer would false trigger when hitting bumps in the road.

I don't know about you, but my Buddy's suspension isn't exactly plush, and a good jolt would trigger the 0,4G setting of those lights.

I'll stick with brake lever actuated, myself.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:38 pm

I got a prompt reply from the brake flasher folks. My questions:
Is the mercury switch affected at all on hills and inclines?
How fast does the flasher blink?
Do you know if the product is legal in all 50 states?

Hi Eric,

Thanks for inquiring.

In regards to your questions,

Yes, hills and inclines will effect the sensitivity. In general, the hills are typically not steep enough to cause it to falsely trigger. A downhill slope will make it more sensitive, and a uphill slope less sensitive. So the affect from the grade is in one's favor since going downhill is when one would like it to be more sensitive.

It flashes at about 7 times a second.

I can say that I have not had one customer throughout the USA or elsewhere provide me feedback that they have received a citation or being pulled over for using the brake flasher.

Thanks,
Emil
Top Serve

So, while it may not be 50 state legal, at least you probably won't get pulled over.

ScootLemont · Post by **ScootLemont** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:05 pm

ericalm wrote: The bulky black housing is kind of klunky, but with some drilling this could conceivably be mounted inside a top

I can live with the black housing... I am getting hung up on the mounting "straps" - I am close to ordering one of these... I just need to figure out how I want to mount it without those "strap/brackets"

Eric- thanks for emailing them with the questions...
I think this is a good idea but I just cant figure out if they are illegal in IL
From the IL Rules of the Road
"Flashing or moving lights: Flashing or moving lights other than turn signals or hazard indicators are prohibited. This does not apply to police or emergency vehicles."
But in the motorcycle operators manual it says " If the situation permits, help others notice you by flashing your brake light before you slow down. It is especially important to flash your brake light before you:
• Slow more quickly than others might expect (turning off a high-speed highway).
• Slow where others may not expect it (in the middle of a block or at an alley). "
Interestingly you can have a flashing hi-beam
"A device to modulate the high beam of the head lamp may be used"

got to love IL - cant get a straight answer about much

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:26 pm

tyger23 wrote:Knowing a bit about circuits, I'd be afraid that anything using an accelerometer would false trigger when hitting bumps in the road.

I don't know about you, but my Buddy's suspension isn't exactly plush, and a good jolt would trigger the 0,4G setting of those lights.

I'll stick with brake lever actuated, myself.

Yes I worry about this too, although the sensitivity is adjustable. But having a flasher that sends out false flashes is worse than none at all and very dangerous.

On the other hand if you could dial it in just right, it could be perfect and easy...

Post by **ericalm** » Tue May 27, 2008 11:03 pm

ScootLemont wrote:
ericalm wrote: The bulky black housing is kind of klunky, but with some drilling this could conceivably be mounted inside a top
I can live with the black housing... I am getting hung up on the mounting "straps" - I am close to ordering one of these... I just need to figure out how I want to mount it without those "strap/brackets"

Eric- thanks for emailing them with the questions...
I think this is a good idea but I just cant figure out if they are illegal in IL
From the IL Rules of the Road
"Flashing or moving lights: Flashing or moving lights other than turn signals or hazard indicators are prohibited. This does not apply to police or emergency vehicles."
But in the motorcycle operators manual it says " If the situation permits, help others notice you by flashing your brake light before you slow down. It is especially important to flash your brake light before you:
• Slow more quickly than others might expect (turning off a high-speed highway).
• Slow where others may not expect it (in the middle of a block or at an alley). "
Interestingly you can have a flashing hi-beam
"A device to modulate the high beam of the head lamp may be used"

got to love IL - cant get a straight answer about much

Ha, I think they're using "flashing" to mean different things here, depending on context. I would think that this device or other brake light flashers would be illegal. When they tell you to "flash" your brake light, I think they mean give the brake a little squeeze before decelerating so the people behind you start to slow before you do. Meanwhile a modulated headlight doesn't actually "flash," it alternates between high & low. In most states this is legal only during daytime.

ScootLemont · Post by **ScootLemont** » Thu May 29, 2008 3:25 am

ericalm wrote: Ha, I think they're using "flashing" to mean different things here, depending on context. I would think that this device or other brake light flashers would be illegal. When they tell you to "flash" your brake light, I think they mean give the brake a little squeeze before decelerating so the people behind you start to slow before you do. Meanwhile a modulated headlight doesn't actually "flash," it alternates between high & low. In most states this is legal only during daytime.

yeah... i get what they mean about flashing....
It just seems a little contradictorary to tell you that flashing your brake lights is a good idea but to make devices that do it for you illegal

I doubt I would have any problems with my local police, but i guess I will stay away from this product as it seems to be illegal in IL - too bad.