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Flashing 3rd Brake Light - Write Up

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Reznor88, Jan 9, 2010.

  1. Jan 9, 2010 at 4:17 PM
    #1
    Reznor88

    Reznor88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So the area I'm living in right now gets heavy fog in the winter months and it often lasts the entire day. In an attempt to make myself more visible and also to avoid being rear ended by the tailgaters out there, I decided that a flashing brake light wouldn't be a bad idea.


    There are tons of sites out there offering flashing brake products. I looked through a few and went with kahtec.com. I picked up the "Blinking Smart Stop - Delay Version" for $23.

    DSC01674-1-1_3e3c09eef9974392a80ebd3587cc43570688e305.jpg
    Included in the package

    The difference between the basic unit and the delay unit is that with the delay the brake light won't flash again if the brake is applied within 10 seconds. This is good if you're stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and don't want to constantly be flashing the driver behind you.

    Installation of the unit is pretty straight forward. Take the two screws (torx 20) out of the brake light to remove the lens, set the lens aside and then pry the actual light housing away from the truck. The black sticky foam that holds housing to the truck, and I assume waterproofs it, takes a bit of force to separate. With a cloth laid down to protect the paint I used a screwdriver to pry the housing lose.

    DSC01683_4198757417c57d26d7285c9ad2084f052ae12f8d.jpg
    Housing pulled away from truck

    The installation instructions, which can be found here, mention using the quick connectors that come along in the package to tap into the stock wires. The quick connectors are crap. I tried using them as the instructions said but had no luck with them so I just cut and stripped the wires like normal and attached everything. Useful info: the green/white wire is your positive and the tan/black your negative. As you can see I made sure to butcher the wires on the light housing side of the factory connector. If something goes wrong it's easier to replace the light housing portion instead of the wiring throughout the truck.

    DSC01685_5c5e89f967f753ac10d08a35dfc7da5e81859bfc.jpg
    Cut up the part that's easier to replace
    Having destroyed the black sticky foam upon removing the housing I was worried about possible leaking behind the light. I reassembled everything and then slowly poured a bucket of water directly onto the light. Took everything back apart to check for moisture and not a drop of water got through. I'm guessing that since part of the foam was left on the truck and the other part left on the light housing, they joined back up nicely to recreate a seal.

    And with a quick test you can see what those driving behind you will now see:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHClARS39CE

    If you have any questions, comments, or concerns just let me know.
     
    JGO and mattgecko like this.
  2. Jan 9, 2010 at 8:20 PM
    #2
    DDD

    DDD Shine bright like a hymen

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    I have seen some tractor trailers with lights that flash like that when the brakes are first pressed. I think its a great idea.

    We train our drivers to put on their 4 way flashers when coming around a corner and a traffic ahead is backing up and the driver will need to come to a complete stop.

    A flashing brake light gets people's attention much faster than a solid light.
     
  3. Jan 16, 2010 at 6:16 PM
    #3
    Anathollo

    Anathollo www.saveadane.org

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    Nice writeup!
     
  4. Feb 12, 2010 at 1:55 PM
    #4
    emtlibby

    emtlibby Slaughtering goats

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    Will that flasher work with LED's or not enough load?
     
  5. Feb 12, 2010 at 5:28 PM
    #5
    Reznor88

    Reznor88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm not sure, you might want to shoot the company an email. Or for the low low price of $23.95 you could be a guinea pig for the masses. Either way, post it up if you find out.
     
  6. Feb 16, 2010 at 3:55 PM
    #6
    rme

    rme Well-Known Member

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    Interesting! If your not aware of it Volvo had this idea in one of there cars third light setup on their wagons. Safety first...excellent idea....
     
  7. Feb 16, 2010 at 4:07 PM
    #7
    Viet2100

    Viet2100 Well-Known Member

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    I have it on mine with LEDs, it works flawlessly.
     
    JGO likes this.
  8. Feb 18, 2010 at 3:35 AM
    #8
    Kelson

    Kelson Well-Known Member

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    is this legal? jw looks good but idk about down here if thats legal or not we have some pretty stupid laws
     
  9. Feb 18, 2010 at 3:55 AM
    #9
    TacoCat

    TacoCat These pretzels are making me thirsty

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    Johnny-5
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    I've seen these on some trucks before. It's a good idea. I've also seen where people have bought LED tail/brake lights that go almost the length of the tailgate and mount them between the tailgate and bumper for added visibility.
    Nice write up! rep being sent your way.
     
  10. Feb 18, 2010 at 6:08 AM
    #10
    Viet2100

    Viet2100 Well-Known Member

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    It's a flashing red light in the rear of your vehicle. It's as if you tapped your brakes a few times before stopping. I don't see how they could rule this out and say it's illegal when it's definitely an added safety feature.
     
  11. Feb 18, 2010 at 6:09 AM
    #11
    blackwatertaco

    blackwatertaco If you ain't stuck, You ain't tryin hard enough.

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    Nice write up...I need that for the Houston traffic. Their's alot of idiots around here.
     
  12. Feb 18, 2010 at 1:37 PM
    #12
    Reznor88

    Reznor88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I don't see why it would be illegal since some cars come with this feature from the factory. Besides, you live in Hawaii, in the 3 years I lived out there I don't think I ever saw anyone pulled over aside from the bike cops on H-1 with their speed traps.

    Lot's of idiots here too, hopefully it keeps me from getting rear ended by one of them. I guess the flashing has pissed at least one guy off though, every time I'd brake and it flashed he would flash his high beams 3 times. Seriously? A flashing 3rd brake is that annoying? Kinda made me wish I got the flasher that goes off every time you touch the brakes.
     
  13. Feb 18, 2010 at 4:04 PM
    #13
    rme

    rme Well-Known Member

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    At least you know it's working. Screw the guy with the brights. Get a million candle power hand held light and when someone hits you with their brights again...zap their asses, in the eyes. There will be no excuses if someone rear ends you!
     
  14. Nov 21, 2014 at 12:07 PM
    #14
    wanna taco

    wanna taco What's my name?

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    My next mod!
    Just ordered this, inflation raised the price to $24.95, but still well worth it to me.
    Worthy of the bump, I'd say.
     
  15. Nov 26, 2014 at 1:13 PM
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    wanna taco

    wanna taco What's my name?

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    :spy:Came in the mail just now. Good after~lunch~project! :D
    Could save the day in the Turkey Day traffic tomorrow! :smash:


    UPDATE: Installed, works good. Flash is rapid, and goes continuous quickly, so I don't see how anyone behind would object. On the installation, shouldn't matter, but there was a blk/wht, should be neg; grn/wht pos. No clip holding reflector in, just the two screws and weatherstrip. I wouldn't pry it, just use steady pressure.
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2014
  16. Nov 26, 2014 at 5:16 PM
    #16
    Darryle

    Darryle It is just a truck

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    On a 1st gen, you should be able to use this green/white striped wire in this foam covered plug located in the kick panel above the fuse box:

    IMG_4418_zps6c9d18bd_931bde234f0bff61eea20c77e5e8714c5aae4402.jpg

    The 1st gen harness is not accessible from the exterior of the light. I had to remove my headliner and all of the trim panels just to be able to remove my 3rd brake light housing to install my satellite antenna.

    This is on my to do list.
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2014
  17. Nov 26, 2014 at 5:36 PM
    #17
    wanna taco

    wanna taco What's my name?

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    On the under dash location of the grn/wht, I wonder if you'd wind up with all 3 brake lights flashing?
    There should be a wiring diagram somewhere..? I need to get a real owners manual! Haynes or.....? Anyone....?
     
  18. Nov 27, 2014 at 5:06 AM
    #18
    Darryle

    Darryle It is just a truck

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    That harness goes to the 3rd brake light and dome light. I disconnected it and the rear brake lights still worked
     
  19. Mar 10, 2019 at 9:35 AM
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    JGO

    JGO Well-Known Member

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    I don't know if are still on the forum, if so, I have to thank you for you pictures, write up and helpful hints.

     

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