If you use a hot rod steering column (no turn signals, etc), then you either strap on one of those ugly turn signal boxes to it, or cobble up some kind of manual turn signals. There are auto-cancel turn signal units, but I haven’t found one that I like. They are all fixed-timer based and often require pressing a button multiple times depending on the situation. I want something simple to use and a little smarter. So I’m making one just for us. And I’d like your input before I finalize the design.
I envision 3 turn signal situations: 1) lane change, 2) turning without braking, and 3) stopping at a traffic sign or light and waiting to make your turn.
Here are the specs for our unit as of today: when you press a button (or toggle or rocker) to signal a turn, the turn lights will flash for a period. This period is user adjustable from 2 to 10 seconds. Pressing the button again during flashing will reset the timer and a full flashing period will follow. This should cover situations #1 and #2. For #3 (waiting to make your turn), when you apply brakes while the turn lights are flashing, the timer resets, but will begin timing again only when the brakes are released. So the lights continue to flash while you are waiting and then when you release brakes and are making your turn, the lights continue to flash for a full period.
The unit also has a hazard function, which flashes all turn lights while it is on.
Now most wiring kits supply an old fashion “can” flasher that won’t work with LEDs. So you either buy a flasher that is designed for LEDs or you buy resistors that add enough load to make the flasher work. Either way is $10-$15 and you have more stuff to wire and mount. I can do the flashing in the unit for $1. And could easily make it adjustable if that would be of interest.
Can you think of any other situations requiring turn signals?
Do you see any problems with the specs as described above?
Any other functions you would like the unit to have?
I’ve got the circuit designed and will breadboard it for testing. And then put the prototype in my bucket and road test it. Stay tuned.
I envision 3 turn signal situations: 1) lane change, 2) turning without braking, and 3) stopping at a traffic sign or light and waiting to make your turn.
Here are the specs for our unit as of today: when you press a button (or toggle or rocker) to signal a turn, the turn lights will flash for a period. This period is user adjustable from 2 to 10 seconds. Pressing the button again during flashing will reset the timer and a full flashing period will follow. This should cover situations #1 and #2. For #3 (waiting to make your turn), when you apply brakes while the turn lights are flashing, the timer resets, but will begin timing again only when the brakes are released. So the lights continue to flash while you are waiting and then when you release brakes and are making your turn, the lights continue to flash for a full period.
The unit also has a hazard function, which flashes all turn lights while it is on.
Now most wiring kits supply an old fashion “can” flasher that won’t work with LEDs. So you either buy a flasher that is designed for LEDs or you buy resistors that add enough load to make the flasher work. Either way is $10-$15 and you have more stuff to wire and mount. I can do the flashing in the unit for $1. And could easily make it adjustable if that would be of interest.
Can you think of any other situations requiring turn signals?
Do you see any problems with the specs as described above?
Any other functions you would like the unit to have?
I’ve got the circuit designed and will breadboard it for testing. And then put the prototype in my bucket and road test it. Stay tuned.