High Mounted 3rd Brake Strobe Light, A few pics, video and contacts, $7.94 total! |
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High Mounted 3rd Brake Strobe Light, A few pics, video and contacts, $7.94 total! |
oakdalecurtis |
Apr 26 2017, 11:03 AM
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#1
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Oakdalecurtis Group: Members Posts: 1,325 Joined: 5-June 15 From: Oakdale, Ca Member No.: 18,802 Region Association: Central California |
Finally attached an LED high mount 3rd brake light. Added a strobe module to make it really pop.
Here's a short video of it in action. If you watch it in slow mo, you can see the LED lights come on significantly before the car's incandescent brake light bulbs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaQ6msHbFbA I drilled holes in the LED side mounts so I could use small screws to attach it to the underside of the targa bar instead of just the sticky tape on it. The small holes in the curved mounts' exterior allow screwdriver access to the screws inside the mount. I had to remove the engine lid to allow my drill to fit under the targa bar to drill the small pilot holes for the mounting screws. I ran the thin LED dual wire lead up through another small hole drilled through the LED mount and into the targa bar. Then the wire goes out through a small hole drilled under the rear targa bar chrome trim. After adding a dual wire extension, I ran the wire along under the rear targa trim to the edge trim, then down under that piece. I got the wire into the engine bay through a small downward hole under the side trim and through another small hole in the engine bay side near the trunk hinge attachment point. From there it was easy to follow the existing wire harness back to the brake light connection point. I put the strobe module in-line right there. Do not ground the negative from the LED light before reaching the strobe module since the module needs both positive and negative wires in and out. Ground the negative lead coming out of the strobe module. Finally, using a piggy back connector finishes the connection to the brake light lead without cutting any harness's. Btw, here's a link to the LED light at Amazon for $1.85 and free shipping! Don't know how the can do that! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-14-LED-Car-Aut...Nv4&vxp=mtr And here's a link to the strobe module for $6.09 and free shipping. https://www.amazon.com/CARCHET-Strobe-Contr...e/dp/B00I4J35HY A little wire and $7.94 and you're in business! |
eriqx |
Apr 26 2017, 11:35 AM
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#2
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 20 Joined: 9-July 14 From: Milwaukee, WI Member No.: 17,606 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
nice work! very clean.
and super-necessary considering how low and invisible I feel in the 914 on a regular basis. |
Mark Henry |
Apr 26 2017, 11:49 AM
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#3
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
No good for me....it blocks the rear view mirror view.
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oakdalecurtis |
Apr 26 2017, 02:17 PM
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#4
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Oakdalecurtis Group: Members Posts: 1,325 Joined: 5-June 15 From: Oakdale, Ca Member No.: 18,802 Region Association: Central California |
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BillC |
Apr 26 2017, 04:13 PM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 536 Joined: 24-April 15 From: Silver Spring, MD Member No.: 18,667 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
What about flipping it over and mounting it to the grille on the engine lid cover? Putting it there would require no drilling, and should still be pretty visible to large vehicles behind the car.
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oakdalecurtis |
Apr 26 2017, 08:51 PM
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#6
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Oakdalecurtis Group: Members Posts: 1,325 Joined: 5-June 15 From: Oakdale, Ca Member No.: 18,802 Region Association: Central California |
What about flipping it over and mounting it to the grille on the engine lid cover? Putting it there would require no drilling, and should still be pretty visible to large vehicles behind the car. Thought about grill placement. It just looked more appropriate to my eye under the targa bar, and I also figuered the higher up the better for visibility. Jmo. |
RickS |
Apr 26 2017, 10:19 PM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,408 Joined: 17-April 06 From: 'False City', WA Member No.: 5,880 Region Association: None |
Rather than reinvent the wheel, buy one of these. I have one on the 914 tucked up on the outside of targa bar which does not block visibility at all. No issues for 4 years. Also one on the SC inside the top of the rear window, with no impairment. I did not connect the running light wire since I didn't want the Cylon/Knight Rider thing. With the brake pressed, it provides a very bright 4 flashes before going solid red. Really like the small size, brightness and strobing. I attached with double sided 3M tape.
http://www.customdynamics.com/knight_rider_led_light_bar.htm Props to the OP on his method and buget price since these cost $30 with free shipping. . |
RickS |
Apr 26 2017, 10:39 PM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,408 Joined: 17-April 06 From: 'False City', WA Member No.: 5,880 Region Association: None |
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87m491 |
Apr 27 2017, 04:31 AM
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#9
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Member Group: Members Posts: 274 Joined: 29-July 12 From: Portland, the original! Member No.: 14,731 Region Association: North East States |
Given the small size, I was thinking double sided tape to mount was a no brainer. It seems what these guys use. I'll check them out, for the bikes too! Don't want to add any holes to the 914.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, buy one of these. I have one on the 914 tucked up on the outside of targa bar which does not block visibility at all. No issues for 4 years. Also one on the SC inside the top of the rear window, with no impairment. I did not connect the running light wire since I didn't want the Cylon/Knight Rider thing. With the brake pressed, it provides a very bright 4 flashes before going solid red. Really like the small size, brightness and strobing. I attached with double sided 3M tape. http://www.customdynamics.com/knight_rider_led_light_bar.htm Props to the OP on his method and buget price since these cost $30 with free shipping. . |
mepstein |
Apr 27 2017, 05:54 AM
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#10
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,262 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Im going to try some of the little, high strength magnets, superglued to the light.
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Keith914 |
Apr 27 2017, 09:00 AM
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#11
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Member Group: Members Posts: 248 Joined: 29-April 16 From: Laguna Beach, California 92651 Member No.: 19,948 Region Association: Southern California |
Here is my application with a 2 foot strip inside - upper four short strips are reflectors.
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Keith914 |
Apr 27 2017, 09:32 AM
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#12
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Member Group: Members Posts: 248 Joined: 29-April 16 From: Laguna Beach, California 92651 Member No.: 19,948 Region Association: Southern California |
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Spoke |
Apr 27 2017, 10:06 AM
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#13
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 6,978 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
Finally attached an LED high mount 3rd brake light. Added a strobe module to make it really pop. Looks great! Good job. All 914's should have a 3rd brake light and probably should be mounted on the roll hoop to be as high as possible. Even then the 3rd brake light will probably only be as high as a wheel of some of those big SUV's. |
oakdalecurtis |
Apr 27 2017, 10:28 AM
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#14
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Oakdalecurtis Group: Members Posts: 1,325 Joined: 5-June 15 From: Oakdale, Ca Member No.: 18,802 Region Association: Central California |
A couple of things to consider if you plan on adding a third brake light. Based on some experimentation, if you mount the light inside the rear window, you will see the reflection of the bright LED's at night when it goes on, very distracting. And regardless of where you mount it, if you can actually see the LED's go on in your rearview mirror, it will be very distracting in your mirror at night every time you apply the brakes. Just some things to think about when choosing the type and placement of a third brake light.
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Spoke |
Apr 27 2017, 10:40 AM
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#15
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 6,978 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
A couple of things to consider if you plan on adding a third brake light. Based on some experimentation, if you mount the light inside the rear window, you will see the reflection of the bright LED's at night when it goes on, very distracting. And regardless of where you mount it, if you can actually see the LED's go on in your rearview mirror, it will be very distracting in your mirror at night every time you apply the brakes. Just some things to think about when choosing the type and placement of a third brake light. I had the same issue with the 3rd brake light causing a lot of light energy to be observed hitting the engine lid and visible in the rear view mirror. A solution to cut down on most of the unwanted light energy is to block off the top and bottom of the lens like shown below. Either with paint or tape. This will not diminish the light output to the rear but will cut down on the extraneous light coming back into the cabin. Attached image(s) |
dangrouche |
Apr 27 2017, 10:41 AM
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#16
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dangrouche Group: Members Posts: 550 Joined: 1-May 04 From: San Francisco Bay Area Member No.: 2,012 Region Association: None |
Hey oakldalecurtis, a trademark infringement!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) , you'll hear from my attorney. good blend in job !!
BTDT http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=212499 |
oakdalecurtis |
Apr 27 2017, 10:58 AM
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#17
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Oakdalecurtis Group: Members Posts: 1,325 Joined: 5-June 15 From: Oakdale, Ca Member No.: 18,802 Region Association: Central California |
Hey oakldalecurtis, a trademark infringement!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) , you'll hear from m attorney. good blend in job !! BTDT http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=212499 Wow Dangr, great minds think alike! |
anderssj |
Apr 27 2017, 11:10 AM
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#18
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Dog is my copilot... Group: Members Posts: 1,656 Joined: 28-January 03 From: VA Member No.: 207 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Im going to try some of the little, high strength magnets, superglued to the light. That's how I attached mine . . . also a quick disconnect for the wiring. I can remove it all in a couple of minutes if I needed to. Going on 5 years with no problems. The light is from a Volvo V70 (I think), with the same strobe module as oakdalecurtis. BTW, I used a piece of thin mouse pad on the magnets so they won't mar the paint (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) |
Keith914 |
Apr 27 2017, 02:34 PM
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#19
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Member Group: Members Posts: 248 Joined: 29-April 16 From: Laguna Beach, California 92651 Member No.: 19,948 Region Association: Southern California |
A couple of things to consider if you plan on adding a third brake light. Based on some experimentation, if you mount the light inside the rear window, you will see the reflection of the bright LED's at night when it goes on, very distracting. And regardless of where you mount it, if you can actually see the LED's go on in your rearview mirror, it will be very distracting in your mirror at night every time you apply the brakes. Just some things to think about when choosing the type and placement of a third brake light. In my case there is no negative impact on my rearview mirror images - no issue. |
mepstein |
Apr 27 2017, 03:08 PM
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#20
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,262 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Im going to try some of the little, high strength magnets, superglued to the light. That's how I attached mine . . . also a quick disconnect for the wiring. I can remove it all in a couple of minutes if I needed to. Going on 5 years with no problems. The light is from a Volvo V70 (I think), with the same strobe module as oakdalecurtis. BTW, I used a piece of thin mouse pad on the magnets so they won't mar the paint (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I already have the patent. You owe me money! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) |
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