Remember "cornering lights?"Flip on the turn signal and an area light illuminates that side of the rig you intend to turn toward.As I age and my eyes grow weaker, I would appreciate incorporating this feature. But instead of a bulb, 17-watt CREE waterproof lamps would be utilized.Flashers work by sending a pulse downstream through the directional signal switch. So any signal found there would be pulsed.¿A diode and charge cap feeding a relay coil both sides? This means one circuit left and one circuit for right.Finding obscure campsites, hidden side roads, as well as checking for obstructions before turning. I like that.My Tyco relays have an 88 ohm relay coil. One Hz flasher pulse (more or less)I don't want to have to fumble for switches. I'm busy enough as is.Appreciate hints, pointers and criticism, as long as criticism is polite and intelligent :)

would it not be possible to Tap the turn signal circuit before it reaches the flasher unit?My landlord's 90's era Buick lesabre has these cornering lights. Nice to have as his headlights are dim and the plastic lenses need a polishing.I aimed my foglights to go a lot wider of an angle, and also rewired them with 10awg and a relay. This proved too much in terms of heat dissipation. Their included 18 awg wiring was apparently intended to also limit the heat generated by the bulb.Right now the foglights are removed.

I would go with 2 standard automotive relays. One for each side. Read up on them. Plenty of info on the net.

Whoops you're not clear on the concept I guess.Before the flasher is straight, always on, ignition signal."Feeding a relay coil" is self-explanatory. i do not want the side lamps pulsing as well. The lamps would need power only when turning (turn signal) Converting a pulsed signal to a continuous signal is not hard. Hiding the circuit boards inside a project box I do not have is the hard part for me. Be a shame to invest 30 dollars for an existing circuit one of the readers has seen for, say, eight dollars on eBay or whatever.

A time delay relay NOTO. normally-open, timed-open. Maybe 10 bucks.

I like this idea!! Had a Ford LTD that had cornering lights and loved them!! Keep us posted and post pictures!!

"Cornering Lights" Circuit? | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
May 13, 2016
The circuit...

Battery - ignition Switch - flasher - turn signal - lamps.

Cars and equipment without cornering lights are all alike. It takes a special turn signal switch to power cornering lights. A double pole switch. I have to use a pulsed signal and convert it to a switched steady power source. Two relays are necessary. A diode and a large electrolytic cap for each relay. Charging time versus cap capacity for the intermittant lamp load is going to be tricky with 18 gage wire.
K_Charles
Explorer
May 13, 2016
Ford Chevy dodge and many others had cornering lights and you can still buy the relay. Many of them had power from the side lights so they only worked with the lights on. The relay is triggered by the signal light and stays on thru the pulse of the signal because of a time delay for off. Maybe just go buy one relay for each side.
All_I_could_aff
Explorer
May 12, 2016
Might I suggest tapping the positive circuit in between the turn signal stalk and the control box for the flasher for a positive signal to a relay which would control the actual load at the cornering lights. You could have the relay ground through a toggle switch at the dashboard so you could choose to turn the feature off if you want or leave it active.
schlep1967
Nomad
May 12, 2016
Something (turn signal switch) is causing steady power to start flowing through the flasher which then pulses the power out to the signal. You should be able to tap into the solid power before the flasher and use that to power your lights. I would suggest putting a switch on your newly installed lights so they only come on when you really need them. I don't think it would be pleasant for oncoming traffic with floodlights shining in their eyes when you are waiting to make a left turn.
bucky
Explorer II
May 12, 2016
We always called them ditch lights. Also good for lighting up the cutie in the next lane as teenagers.
They do come in handy on the dark rural roads in this area.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
May 11, 2016
Just pull your continuous power from the parking light side, that way the cornering lights only light when the parking/ headlights are on.
I understand what you are trying to do, I just don't think it will work very well, though I could easily be wrong.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
May 11, 2016
With those 4" square flush fit LED flood lamps being so inexpensive, I really want these as cornering lights. They fill a much larger area with brighter white light.

Remember I am working with an intermittent powered circuit which is sort of like that blonde at the flashing red light. A delay off relay would not work here I'm afraid.

Signal on would flash the turn signal bulb and concurrently charge the capacitor while illuminating the side lamp. Then the flash signal interrupts to the turn signal bulb but the diode has trapped power to the capacitor which itself keeps feeding the side lamp. Before the cap charge runs out, the circuit flashes again.

I would not attempt more than 1500ma load due to cap charge time. I'll try it first with a 470uf and a 10-amp diode which should handle the inrush.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
May 11, 2016
I believe a delay on break 12 volt relay is what you need- or at least one way to do it. Instant on, but delay of a bit longer than the duty cycle of the flasher.

Here's an eBay one-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-12V-DC-Delay-Relay-Delay-Turn-on-Delay-Turn-off-Switch-Module-with-Timer-/191757031859
jake2250
Explorer
May 11, 2016
I like this idea!! Had a Ford LTD that had cornering lights and loved them!! Keep us posted and post pictures!!
K_Charles
Explorer
May 11, 2016
A time delay relay NOTO. normally-open, timed-open. Maybe 10 bucks.