Fancy Blinker

[bigalpha]

Some of the newer Mustangs have the three brake lights that light up in sequence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCgPiz7V8fc

Also, the new Chevy trucks have a feature where if you just push the blinker stalk but not click it into place, it will blink 3 times then turn off.

Are these fancy blinkers controlled by some complicated computer module? Would it be hard to get these to work on an 88 XJ/MJ?

 

[WebDog]

I can't stand those, it drives me nuts for some reason when I am behind a mustang...

The mustang effect would not be too hard to do.

 

[ChiXJeff]

Sequenced Ford tail lights are anything but new, those were used in the 60's and the 70's. One of the discrete electronics courses available at MTU 30 years ago had a project that implemented those taillights on breadboards.

 

[Gonepostal]

I had this on a 69 Cougar. Wish I still owned the car..LOL

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Some of the newer Mustangs have the three brake lights that light up in sequence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCgPiz7V8fc

Also, the new Chevy trucks have a feature where if you just push the blinker stalk but not click it into place, it will blink 3 times then turn off.

Are these fancy blinkers controlled by some complicated computer module? Would it be hard to get these to work on an 88 XJ/MJ?

BMW and others have had the multi blink for years.

 

[SC Rednek]

You might be able to come up with something similar using blinker relays in sequence. But I'd bet money those annoying mustang lights are computer controlled.

The control module itself could be very simple, although I guarentee that their's aren't simple, car companies always overcomplicate things these days.

If you wanted the three blinks if you just push the switch but don't latch it, you would need to build a custom switch too, on an XJ there's electrically there's no difference between between latched and not latched.

 

[ChiXJeff]

There is zero reason to require a computer control for sequenced tail lights. Any decent discrete electronics guy can build that circuit with nothing more than a few capacitors and resistors driving output relays.

 

[GSequoia]

I had this on a 69 Cougar. Wish I still owned the car..LOL

Yup, as far as I know it debuted with the 1967 Mercury Cougar and went from there. I've always liked it.


I'm not a big fan of hte three blinks when momentarly holding the stalk though, but that's because that's not enough warning for a lane change, it should be at least six!

 

[Gonepostal]

Yup, as far as I know it debuted with the 1967 Mercury Cougar and went from there. I've always liked it.


I'm not a big fan of hte three blinks when momentarly holding the stalk though, but that's because that's not enough warning for a lane change, it should be at least six!

Mine was so much fun I lost my drivers license....stupid 351 anyway.

If I remember correctly the controller was a small solid state circuit box that mounted on or near the lights. Whatever controlled the taillights was reliable and I never touched it beyond replacing bulbs. I am sure someone is making something similar that could be purchased today.

 

[87manche]

There is zero reason to require a computer control for sequenced tail lights. Any decent discrete electronics guy can build that circuit with nothing more than a few capacitors and resistors driving output relays.

this, for reals.

that circuit would not be hard to do. it would take some tril and error to get the timing just so.


if you wanted to do it with LED's your basic 555 timer circuit could be implemented to control a sequencer. There's seriously like $5 worth of stuff in building an LED sequencer.

edit:
quick google search
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_6/chpt_7/6.html

555 timer controlling a 4017 sequencer.
555 timer can have it's timing changed with resistors. The big issue here would be stepping down the 12V in the car to the 5-6V required for the logic/LEDs. I'm not sure if your basic 7805 regulator would stand up to the environment. input voltage for a 7805 is capped at like 28 VDC I think, but it will make a ton of heat. Even at 12-14 VDC it will make a ton of heat and need properly heatsinked. I'm not sure what the 7805 specs are for humidity/vibration resistance. properly mounted and secured it shouldn't be a problem, but no gurantees it breaks after a year of driving abuse.