#1 Thread starter
(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1141005758/gallery_3710_217_110281.jpg)
Tired with people tailgating me, and having to fan the brake lever to warn them I was slowing down, I looked at the available brake-light modulators available. I really liked Signal Dynamics one http://www.signaldynamics.com/products/Modules/xp.asp
and the Kisan ones also looked OK http://www.kisantech.com/index.php?cat_id=3
Then I talked to my TechnoNerd son (#2), pointed him at the Signal Dynamics site, and asked what he could do. He thought for a few milliseconds, and said, "Yup. I can do that."
Eventually ( he was very busy with important projects like Quake, GT4, and suchlike), he ran a virtual prototype on the PC, got it to work, then bought the various doodads required, built a 'bread board' prtotype, and got that to work too. Then, after much hassling, and some help from me with drilling and stuff, the doodads were assembled into a Thing.
(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1141005758/gallery_3710_217_110281.jpg) border='0' alt='user posted image' />
mod1.jpg
I then cut the wires (green, yellow and red) to the brakelights (I knew which ones they were, because I'd already cut the earth/ground and taillight wires to hook my R/R fan into them), and put some bullet connectors on each end of everything, and hooked it up. Yup, miracle of miracles, that worked too, so after some thought, I cut a plate of thin, galvanised steel (No Dad! You can't use aluminiumininum - it'll corrode!"), loosened off the screws holding the taillight assembly in place, and fastened the bracket across under the cowl. A strip of 3M™ fastening stuff (like velcro, but different), and it's all go.
(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1141005758/gallery_3710_217_109619.jpg) border='0' alt='user posted image' />
mod2.jpg
So, now when I brake, the brakelights flash 5 times, then stay on as long as I hold the brakes on.
It's illegal here apparently, probably because it's a Good Idea™ and aids safety.
The Safety Nazis don't like people doing sensible things, and frown upon people who take it upon themselves to improve safety without Official Approval Or Sanction.
We've already got some ideas for improvements, like using a MOSFET transistor instead of the one we did use, which would obviate having to use a substantial heatsink. The first one we tried was too small, and heated up to about 70 C. The one we used was a pentium processor heatsink, which is larger than it needs to be, but it was just lying around, and we couldn't be bothered cutting it.
Also, it'd be kewl if the taillights flashed when the brakelights do, in added emphasis. We may also reprogram the micro so that there is a decaying flash rate, rather than steady one, so it starts off flashing fast then slows down.
But it's all good, and for ~$22, it's also a cheap aid to safety.
And I've got my stories sorted out for when the Safety Nazis object and try to ticket me. Interfering bastids.
Tired with people tailgating me, and having to fan the brake lever to warn them I was slowing down, I looked at the available brake-light modulators available. I really liked Signal Dynamics one http://www.signaldynamics.com/products/Modules/xp.asp
and the Kisan ones also looked OK http://www.kisantech.com/index.php?cat_id=3
Then I talked to my TechnoNerd son (#2), pointed him at the Signal Dynamics site, and asked what he could do. He thought for a few milliseconds, and said, "Yup. I can do that."
Eventually ( he was very busy with important projects like Quake, GT4, and suchlike), he ran a virtual prototype on the PC, got it to work, then bought the various doodads required, built a 'bread board' prtotype, and got that to work too. Then, after much hassling, and some help from me with drilling and stuff, the doodads were assembled into a Thing.
(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1141005758/gallery_3710_217_110281.jpg) border='0' alt='user posted image' />
mod1.jpg
I then cut the wires (green, yellow and red) to the brakelights (I knew which ones they were, because I'd already cut the earth/ground and taillight wires to hook my R/R fan into them), and put some bullet connectors on each end of everything, and hooked it up. Yup, miracle of miracles, that worked too, so after some thought, I cut a plate of thin, galvanised steel (No Dad! You can't use aluminiumininum - it'll corrode!"), loosened off the screws holding the taillight assembly in place, and fastened the bracket across under the cowl. A strip of 3M™ fastening stuff (like velcro, but different), and it's all go.
(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1141005758/gallery_3710_217_109619.jpg) border='0' alt='user posted image' />
mod2.jpg
So, now when I brake, the brakelights flash 5 times, then stay on as long as I hold the brakes on.
It's illegal here apparently, probably because it's a Good Idea™ and aids safety.
The Safety Nazis don't like people doing sensible things, and frown upon people who take it upon themselves to improve safety without Official Approval Or Sanction.
We've already got some ideas for improvements, like using a MOSFET transistor instead of the one we did use, which would obviate having to use a substantial heatsink. The first one we tried was too small, and heated up to about 70 C. The one we used was a pentium processor heatsink, which is larger than it needs to be, but it was just lying around, and we couldn't be bothered cutting it.
Also, it'd be kewl if the taillights flashed when the brakelights do, in added emphasis. We may also reprogram the micro so that there is a decaying flash rate, rather than steady one, so it starts off flashing fast then slows down.
But it's all good, and for ~$22, it's also a cheap aid to safety.
And I've got my stories sorted out for when the Safety Nazis object and try to ticket me. Interfering bastids.