Trailer Blinker, which one?

Please refer to my project here:

http://www.element14.com/community/thread/43761/l/4-channel-12v-relay-system-issues

The problem is that the trailer has only 2 lights per side, a tail light which is dimmer and a brake light which is much brighter. So to emulate a blinker, I have to blink one of these lights off an on.

The question is: Which light should I blink, the tail light or the Brake light? My thoughts are when I am stopped, both brake lights are on... What do you guys think??

Top Comments

screamingtiger over 10 years ago in reply to balearicdynamics

At this point I am just sticking with 2 lights per side. I'll "upgrade" later. If this works ok I may send off for a PCB as well. I have not found yet an LED orange blinker locally, I will have to order a couple
- Cancel
- Vote Up 0 Vote Down
- Sign in to reply
- More
- Cancel
balearicdynamics over 10 years ago

Just a note on my vote. I suggested to blink the brake light (the brighter) for a couple of reasons. The first is that when there is a fixed dimmed light and a blinking intense light of the same colour there is high visibility also in bad weather conditions and the perceptual effect is a intense red light blinking without to be always full off.
The second reason is that - thinking to the context this is applied, i.e. on the road, just for the reason explained above big interstate trucks (I saw them in Germany and north Europe but also in California and along the Mojave desert roads) adopt this method with high visibility result and I was always fascinated by this big braking trucks with the "stop" lights softly blinking.

Enrico
- Cancel
- Vote Up 0 Vote Down
- Sign in to reply
- More
- Cancel
mcb1 over 10 years ago in reply to crjeder

I thought I replied earlier ...but the 1's and 0's went...

let's say the right side is obstructed by the car in between you and the car

It really doesn't matter what colour the light is, or if it's seperate in that case.....

Mark
- Cancel
- Vote Up 0 Vote Down
- Sign in to reply
- More
- Cancel
screamingtiger over 10 years ago in reply to crjeder

I was just looking at my jeep, it actually only has orange blinkers in the front... I better revisit how my lights work.
- Cancel
- Vote Up 0 Vote Down
- Sign in to reply
- More
- Cancel
crjeder over 10 years ago in reply to crjeder

A reason might be: if, let's say the right side is obstructed by the car in between you and the car / trailer which wants to turn you would be only able to distinguish between an turning and a breaking car by watching it for several seconds. At higher speeds this can be the difference between life or die.
- Cancel
- Vote Up 0 Vote Down
- Sign in to reply
- More
- Cancel
crjeder over 10 years ago

For Germany you have no choice but to install orange blinkers (it's the law).
- Cancel
- Vote Up +1 Vote Down
- Sign in to reply
- More
- Cancel
screamingtiger over 10 years ago in reply to mcb1

The old system blinked the tail lights for some reason. A car blinks the blinkers which are a different color, I wonder if that is why?
You make a good point maybe others agree or have another idea?

I am also open to installing separate blinkers, I added that as an option
- Cancel
- Vote Up 0 Vote Down
- Sign in to reply
- More
- Cancel
mcb1 over 10 years ago

I already pointed out that if you have the brakes ON, then flashing the lower wattage lamp will not be seen.

In the daytime you want the brightest you can, hence the brake light.

Mark
- Cancel
- Vote Up +1 Vote Down
- Sign in to reply
- More
- Cancel