Front Sidemarker Flasher Module Options

[Spoke]

There has been some interest in a module that would flash the front sidemarker with the turnsignal. The rear running/brake/turnsignal board I did for the 356 using the front turnsignal bucket from a 914 uses the same function to flash the running or brake light when the turnsignal comes on.

The flashing circuit was lifted from the 356 board and placed on this board with some modification. The board will be about 1.6in x 1in and will be enclosed in a small plastic box. The module will replace the wires which go from the front trunk into the rubber wire channel to the sidemarker and turnsignal.

Basically the wires to the turnsignal and sidemarker will be pulled out of the rubber channel and connected to the module. The module will have wires that will be fished into the rubber channel and connected to the sidemarker and turnsignal just like the OEM wiring. The OEM wiring will remain intact keeping with my goal of no cutting/screwing/gluing plug-and-play installation.


@Cairo94507

[BillC]

@Spoke -- I love the idea, but have a question about the installation. Instead of installing two modules, one at each front corner, what about making a single module that goes under the dash and connects to the switch end(s) of the wiring harness? This seems like it would be a simpler install, since you wouldn't need to pull the wires out of the fenders and rubber conduits/boots, and you could control both sidemarker lights from one box. Basically, it would be putting the new controls at the other end of the wires, instead of at the light-bulb end.

[Spoke]

@Spoke -- I love the idea, but have a question about the installation. Instead of installing two modules, one at each front corner, what about making a single module that goes under the dash and connects to the switch end(s) of the wiring harness? This seems like it would be a simpler install, since you wouldn't need to pull the wires out of the fenders and rubber conduits/boots, and you could control both sidemarker lights from one box. Basically, it would be putting the new controls at the other end of the wires, instead of at the light-bulb end.

@BillC

Interesting idea. Not sure where the wires would be under the dash or maybe on the fuse panel.

On my '71, the passenger side had 4 wires: turnsignal, running, sidemarker, ground. On the driver side there were only 3 wires: turnsignal, running+sidemarker, ground. So not sure the wires for both front sidemarkers could be found on the fuse panel.

[BillC]

@Spoke -- I love the idea, but have a question about the installation. Instead of installing two modules, one at each front corner, what about making a single module that goes under the dash and connects to the switch end(s) of the wiring harness? This seems like it would be a simpler install, since you wouldn't need to pull the wires out of the fenders and rubber conduits/boots, and you could control both sidemarker lights from one box. Basically, it would be putting the new controls at the other end of the wires, instead of at the light-bulb end.

@BillC

Interesting idea. Not sure where the wires would be under the dash or maybe on the fuse panel.

On my '71, the passenger side had 4 wires: turnsignal, running, sidemarker, ground. On the driver side there were only 3 wires: turnsignal, running+sidemarker, ground. So not sure the wires for both front sidemarkers could be found on the fuse panel.

Oh well, it was a nice idea while it lasted. Once again, outsmarted by those old german engineers.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Any idea when these new modules will come to market? I'll want to buy a set when I order the front LED boards (already have the rear boards).

[Spoke]

Any idea when these new modules will come to market?

@BillC

I'm finally back to addressing this function. Hopefully soon. I'll have new boards next week and should be assembling them shorty after that. If you're interested in trying these out I'd like to give you a set of modules.

So I got looking at the diagrams and wondering if this will work. Need 2 small relays and 2 diodes. Should be able to mount on a small PCB.

Turn signal feeds thru N/C contact on TR relay, diode prevents backfeed to running lights.
Running light likewise feeds thru RR relay. Also energizes TR relay
When running lights on, and turn signal activated, Flasher pulses the running lights relay, effectively turning them off. So the side marker actually flashes opposite of the front and rear lights.
Minimal stock wiring disruption and should work for incandescent, LED, or a combination.

@fixer34

Turns out the rear turnsignal-to-bake module I have uses almost the exact circuit as you drew with 2 relays. The only difference is the RTS-Brake modules use a double pole relay and the 2nd poles take the place of the diodes in your drawing.

The RTS-Brake modules with brake on flash the turnsignals opposite of the front turnsignals. Since the front sidemarker and front turnsignal are adjacent I wanted them to flash in unison with running lights on and off.

The front sidemarker flasher module uses 1 relay and some circuitry to keep the FSM and FTS in unison. Here's the circuit I'll be getting next week.

There's an obvious mistake on the circuit. Can you spot it? Hopefully it will work as printed or I'll have to do some minor mods on these V1 boards.

[fixer34]

Any idea when these new modules will come to market?

@BillC

I'm finally back to addressing this function. Hopefully soon. I'll have new boards next week and should be assembling them shorty after that. If you're interested in trying these out I'd like to give you a set of modules.

So I got looking at the diagrams and wondering if this will work. Need 2 small relays and 2 diodes. Should be able to mount on a small PCB.

Turn signal feeds thru N/C contact on TR relay, diode prevents backfeed to running lights.
Running light likewise feeds thru RR relay. Also energizes TR relay
When running lights on, and turn signal activated, Flasher pulses the running lights relay, effectively turning them off. So the side marker actually flashes opposite of the front and rear lights.
Minimal stock wiring disruption and should work for incandescent, LED, or a combination.

@fixer34

Turns out the rear turnsignal-to-bake module I have uses almost the exact circuit as you drew with 2 relays. The only difference is the RTS-Brake modules use a double pole relay and the 2nd poles take the place of the diodes in your drawing.

The RTS-Brake modules with brake on flash the turnsignals opposite of the front turnsignals. Since the front sidemarker and front turnsignal are adjacent I wanted them to flash in unison with running lights on and off.

The front sidemarker flasher module uses 1 relay and some circuitry to keep the FSM and FTS in unison. Here's the circuit I'll be getting next week.

There's an obvious mistake on the circuit. Can you spot it? Hopefully it will work as printed or I'll have to do some minor mods on these V1 boards.

I still have a couple 1.5 x2" project boards sitting on a work table, about halfway done. I was going for the cheap route so didn't worry about the front and side markers flashing at the same time. Figured an alternating pattern might be more noticable. One of these days (been saying that for over a year so I understand yours..) I'll finish a set and then see if I can figure out where to mount them.

[Spoke]

I still have a couple 1.5 x2" project boards sitting on a work table, about halfway done. I was going for the cheap route so didn't worry about the front and side markers flashing at the same time. Figured an alternating pattern might be more noticable. One of these days (been saying that for over a year so I understand yours..) I'll finish a set and then see if I can figure out where to mount them.

Go for it. It should work just fine. The RTS-Brake modules I make for the rear of the car can also be FSM-Running for the front sidemarkers with alternating FSM-FTS with running lights on.

The relays I use are tiny and carry 2A with DPDT contacts. Using these you'd need 2 relays and no other components. Use AGQ200A12Z if you are doing surface mount or AGQ20012 if doing through hole. Both are in stock at Digikey.