Flashing Third Brake Light with DIY

[bobolinko]

I was designing this and ran into one already on the market. The parts would cost me more than buying this so I bought it. It's the latest idea in getting the attention of dizzy drivers behind you. Here's a Link to the site that sells and explains the technology. http://kahtec.com/smart_stop.htm
I got the one with the delay. It flashes the third light 6 times the first time you apply the brakes then stays lit solid. It does not flash them again unless you leave your foot off the brakes for 8 seconds. Then it will flash them when you apply the brakes again.

I also have a DIY in a PDF that you can download to make things easier when installing.


I also put in a switch for my hatch light so that I can turn off the light while I have the hatch open for long periods. :eyebulge:

[CTScott]

I was designing this and ran into one already on the market. The parts would cost me more than buying this so I bought it. It's the latest idea in getting the attention of dizzy drivers behind you. Here's a Link to the site that sells and explains the technology. http://kahtec.com/smart_stop.htm
I got the one with the delay. It flashes the third light 6 times the first time you apply the brakes then stays lit solid. It does not flash them again unless you leave your foot off the brakes for 8 seconds. Then it will flash them when you apply the brakes again.

I also have a DIY in a PDF that you can download to make things easier when installing.


I also put in a switch for my hatch light so that I can turn off the light while I have the hatch open for long periods. :eyebulge:



Stiv and I were discussing this a couple of days ago. I think it's a great idea, as I've had a couple of close calls with idiots not paying attention. For $21-$29 (depending on the model) the Kahtec one is a good deal. Stiv and I were discussing circuits for total DIY, but by the time you're done you'd be looking at about $15 in parts.

[talnlnky]

this is way cool, I recently saw a car that had this capability, I thought it was an oem thing, and that if I wanted to do it to the yaris i'd have to mess around with some relays or something. It's not at the top of my list of must buys.... but as soon as I get rid of some debt it will be close by.

[smell my finger]

I saw this on a jeep wrangler about 3 weeks back. I was a couple cars back in a different lane and it got my attention. I wonder how many people will hit the car in front of them watching this if they are in a different lane?

[Meteorite_Marty]

I bought mine this week from http://www.kahtec.com/smart_stop.htm

I chose the Blinking Smart Stop Delay Version.

A good video to see it "live" is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4it-OewHkYo

Thanks for the DYI. I will definitely use it.

[henry33]

is this legal on the roads ?
looks fantastic

[Klink10]

Here in the US it is.

[poorsh2]

I bought one and installed it in the Third light housing. This made it alot easier to wire.

[Klink10]

Poorsh2....Now I like how you did that. Any DIY on your type install? Oh and what model did you end up with?

Never mind I just looked at the pic closer for model type. Old age creeping in.

How in the world did you disconnect the housing from its mounted position? My luck I'd break the fasteners.

[BLH]

Can you verify the one you modified is the LED style. I believe used with the sedan with spoiler and hatchback.
My 2007 sedan has the standard lamp style third brake light housing.

I just popped mine out and the modules description shows it is quite small. I ordered one and think it will fit inside my sedan's housing.

[poorsh2]

small screw driver pops the plugs right out and a philips head takes the screws out that are under the plugs then pull. Don't worry you can do it

[Lil Abner]

I just did this mod last night. Took me 5 minutes. Very cool find!

[Klink10]

Finally got mine in. Took a couple of attempts because I didn't break the wire coating good enough. I also thought I had a defective third brake light so on a whim I called the local stealer. Pray you never have to replace the lamp unit as I was quoted $140.00 to replace. All is well and thanks everyone.

[BuildCode]

Just ordered mine on Saturday, had it on Monday somehow, installed it today!

For the sedans with the LED spoiler, very easy to install it inline inside the trunk hatch, plenty of space to work with.

[Lil Abner]

HA, we are all getting them now. I ordered the "delay" one, and now I'm wishing I didn't. I'm starting to think I want the regular one. I take mostly back roads, so that delay might hurt me. I may have to sell the one I just installed...

[Klink10]

HA, we are all getting them now. I ordered the "delay" one, and now I'm wishing I didn't. I'm starting to think I want the regular one. I take mostly back roads, so that delay might hurt me. I may have to sell the one I just installed...

You know, I watched it several times and glad I didn't get the delay version. It flashes quick.

[toy_toronto]

This one could be a good alternative option from a price/feature standpoint? ($13.95)

http://www.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/MK178

selectable number of flashes: 5 or 10 times
selectable flash repeat interval: always or not within 5-7sec between two brakes
includes shrink tube to cover complete unit
flash frequency: 7 times per second

Specifications:
power supply: 12VDC
max load: 4A
dimensions: +/- 60x30x20mm/2.4x1.2x0.8"


* Things to consider:

1) It's a kit that could require assembly. If you know how to solder you save yourself a few bucks and have the flexibility of blink asap vs. "delay"
2) $15 min order

For the canucks out there, the vendor is located in Kingston, ON.
.

[Lil Abner]

toy_toronto, I didn't see any details on how to program it or anything?

[BLH]

There is an instruction manual link on the manufacturers web site.
It two sets of jumpers.
One sets the number of flashes 5 or 10
The other one flash every time or only if there is a seven second pause between the brakes being applied.
http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/view/?id=525002
http://www.vellemanusa.com/downloads/0/minikits/manuals/manual_mk178.pdf

If you do a search for MK178 there are a few vendors that carry the kit.

I am finding the 301-2003-11 module is not quite as easy to install in a 2007 Sedan with the standard third brake light. As it is not the same as the LED one used in the spoiler version of the sedan and I believe the hatchback also.

[brendan]

I want to get that same one.^ but what is the shrink tube ?

[BLH]

Is a large diameter piece of shrink tubing. You shrink it over the Assembly to insulate it. To prevent it touching the body.
The assembly manual shows how they uses it. Link to kit and manual in my last post.

[brendan]

So it just a tubing covering the whole thing. . . Not a hard case

Ok thanks I saw in the manual Thanks a million

[brendan]

Ok I build my flasher, but there are 2 settings right? the one is : number of flashes 5 or 10
The other one flash every time or only if there is a seven second pause between the brakes being applied.

But will it still stop after 5 or 10 flashes, and then if you brake again it will flash again?

Hope I make sense :smile:

Oh and both my jumpers are on, but it flashes 10 times then stationary and then wait for 7 seconds then flashes agian, not to sure that it is suposed to be?

[Lil Abner]

It looks like you can choose 5 or 10 flashes, then the light stays on solid. So yes, you would have to take your foot off the brake, and re-apply to get it to flash 5/10 times again. But if you turn on the 7 second thing, it would flash until after 7 seconds. Make sense?

[Meteorite_Marty]

Installed mine tonight using the original DIY, inside the driver side upper trunk panel (where the rear seat belt runs into).

Easy to pop off the panels, just be careful you don't lose any of those white plastic snap pins, or else you'll be dismantling the lower part of the trunk panels to find them (guilty as charged!).

Works perfectly, and DIY is 100% accurate information.

I really like the look. The delay is best for me since I get stuck in city traffic a lot and don't want it blinking constantly.

[Meteorite_Marty]

I bought one and installed it in the Third light housing. This made it alot easier to wire.

I like your idea. It would be easy(ier) this way too.

Original DIY works very well.

[auxmike]

Being stuck in traffic behind one of these is very annoying. Makes me wanna ram em'......

[Meteorite_Marty]

Being stuck in traffic behind one of these is very annoying. Makes me wanna ram em'......

It doesn't flash when in stop-start traffic. This is a feature of the "Delay" version. If you hit the brake in succession within a 10-second period, your regular full stop lamp comes on.

If you hit the brakes at intervals longer than 10 seconds, the flashing happens. It only affects the 3rd brake light as well, not the left/right stop lamps.

[brendan]

It looks like you can choose 5 or 10 flashes, then the light stays on solid. So yes, you would have to take your foot off the brake, and re-apply to get it to flash 5/10 times again. But if you turn on the 7 second thing, it would flash until after 7 seconds. Make sense?

Yeah that is how I see it too, but mine flashes 10 times,then solid, then wait for 7 seconds, then flashes again, but both thee jumpers are on, so it must flash every time you apply the brake ? but mine does'nt

[ricepower]

cool!

[BLH]

That doesn't sound like the manual described it.
I though it would flash 5 or 10 times depending on the one jumper and the other jumper set it to flash every time or only if there was a seven second pause between brakes applied.

Yours flashes ten times then pauses seven seconds then flashes again?

[BLH]

There are two jumpers on the MK178.
The programming is shown in step 12 of the assembly sheet.
'N' Flashes jumper. On=10, Off=5.
Flash Interval. On= Always Flash, Off= 7 seconds.

[brendan]

Yeah mine flashes 10 times then wait 7 sec then it will flash again if you brake again.

But what I saw was if I remove the second jumper, the one that are suposed to be always flashing,If you brake and lift and bake again the light is stationary, but if you put the jumper back you can brake for and release the brake before the 10th flash and the brake again and he will flash 10 time again.

So you get it to flash all the time if you release the breke before the 10th flash

I hope that makes sense guys.

I bought 2 of those and both are like that

I think I see it now in the Feature list?

:•selectable flash repeat interval: always or not within 5-7sec between two brakes

But Iam not to sure :confused:

[BLH]

Probably how they programmed the IC1 U1. Maybe not what they originally intended.