Alternating rear turn signals

[lhaeb]

I have two turn signal lights on the rear of my Dolphin. One is above the other. Both lights come on and blink when I turn on the turn signals as they should. I want to make them alternating. When the top light comes on the bottom light is off and vice versa. I need a circuit diagram on how to do this or I need an aftermarket part.
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[The_Texan]

lhaeb wrote:
To the Texan
When you find the part number for your taillights, let me know. It has been about 3 years when I got the idea to go to LEDs. I am sure as one poster put it that there is a bulb that is non directional that I can use. I was thinking old school. Thanks

Here is the best source in the US. They are a little more expensive than the china junk, but they are quality. Their site give most of the info you are looking for and if you have additional questions, they will answer them with a phone call.

[lhaeb]

To the Texan
When you find the part number for your taillights, let me know. It has been about 3 years when I got the idea to go to LEDs. I am sure as one poster put it that there is a bulb that is non directional that I can use. I was thinking old school. Thanks

[MEXICOWANDERER]

For emergency use I have an LED strobe light bar. It emits 2,000 lumens of red LED light(clear lens) of unequal random flashes. On a long, long, vale, some THIRTEEN MILES long on Mex 37, a friend said he was near blinded. I was parked on the far side, off center, nose facing uphill car about 30 degrees pointed to starboard. This is in excess of TWENTY KILOMETERS distance. The lamp has Hi, Medium and Low intensity settings. I loaned it to the Seguro Popular Ambulancia because they had complained bitterly to me drivers did not yield to them when they went code 3. They later remarked "We no longer have that problem".

[69_Avion]

LEDs are the thing of the future. I put them on my Avion camper when I rebuilt it and what a difference.

[deleted-2]

http://www.autodirectsave.com/

[The_Texan]

lhaeb wrote:
I have already investigated using LEDs. In my opinion, LEDs are too directional and would not be safe.

Your research is old school. The new LED bulbs are NOT as directional as ones just a year ago. The increase in intensity is over 10 fold and the reason most law enforcement agencies have gone to LED and also spec their new vehicles with LED. As soon as I find the new style in the size I need, my RV taillights will be changed to LED.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Thousands of big rigs are using LED lamps as are just about every new car on the road today. I chose LED lamps not the housings, the bulbs that are TEN TIMES as bright looking at them from a 45 degree angle in the rear. I would suggest reading a book on lighting ergonomics that shows clearly why the intense flash of an LED stands out multiple times greater than an incandescent bulb. Now if you simply want those two lamps to alternate so much the case for brighter or equal lamps - you chose because you like the idea. My intention was not to belittle your project, merely to point out half the candlepower is going to be harder to see and that you could have compensated with using the correct LED lamp. Corn cob style lamps emit bright light 90 degrees to the side.

[lhaeb]

I have already investigated using LEDs. In my opinion, LEDs are too directional and would not be safe.

[The_Texan]

BruceMc wrote:
I'd be concerned about the legality of alternating flashers (even on the same side) on a non-official vehicle.... Yet I understand the desire to be seen.

No worries about legality, from the rear, only when used in front.

What you are looking for is called a modulator and is very common on motorcycles and emergency vehicles. Here is a google search for a modulator.

[helperzack]

Aren't there LED replacements that blink 3 or 4 fast times before staying on? The local ambulance uses them on the brake lights. It wouldn't be the same as alternating, but would flash a few times before going solid.

[Gene_Ginny]

One light above another on one side flashing alternately would not look like a directional. Confusing other drivers is not a good thing.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I reviewed a set of LED lamp bulb replacements that were guaranteed to have twice the lumen output of incandescent's they replace. I believe I would pick them any day of the week over alternating incandescent lamps for visibility. Same for adding a nice LED "third brake light" between the two lamps. The Mexican PFP (Federal Highway Patrol) has LED light bars when switched to "Hi" can be easily seen for 5 kilometers. A rhythmic strobe pulsing effect. Alternating flashing incandescent lamps would "look cute" but in my opinion do zero to aid safety or security.

You are chopping total lumen output in-half and lumens are what keeps the vehicle behind from eating your rear bumper.

[D_E_Bishop]

My 1990 Bounder has them in front. The turn signal flases alternately with the front side light. Shows the vehicle next to me I need to come over. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Usually the car right behind me floors it to get in front of me and sometimes they get run off the road(just kidding).

[BruceMc]

I'd be concerned about the legality of alternating flashers (even on the same side) on a non-official vehicle.... Yet I understand the desire to be seen.