Neat Turn Signal Effects Circuit

Intro: Neat Turn Signal Effects Circuit

Ever wanted some cool turn signal effects, but thought they were just for Caddies and Beemers?

LOOK NO FURTHER!

For about $25, this weekend project can turn your marker lights into a sweet set of turn-marker-combo lights!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/mDSxSAiZOlE

Description of what the circuit does:
This is assuming your car has corner marker lights that are separate from your turn signals.
The circuit flashes the marker lights with the turn signal, regardless if the marker lights are turned on or off.

STEP 1: The Goods

What do you need?

Skills:
- basic soldering skills
- basic automotive skills
- basic electronic skills
- mad air-guitar skills (just kidding)

Tools:
- soldering stuff (solder pencil, solder, helping hands, heat sinks)
- knife (used for stripping wire)
- wire strippers
- needle-nose pliers (helpful)
- hot glue gun
- heat gun

Materials:
- electrical tape
- 14 to 16 gauge wire, about 12 feet
- 2x capacitor(s) (about 6800 µF)
- 2x diode (rectifier type, 2 amps or higher)
- 2x automotive relay , SPDT (the one with 5 terminals)
- 2x relay socket
- 8x heat shrink butt connectors (blue)
- 4x crimp tap connectors (blue, available at WalMart or RadioShack)

STEP 2: The Cap(s)

I didn't have a single 6800 µF capacitor, but I did have a 2200 and a 4700, which in parallel add up to 6900, which is close enough for me. If you are using LEDs, you may want about 3000 µF.

If you use two capacitors like me, this is the step for you. If not, go ahead one step.

1. Solder the capacitors in parallel.

that's it

STEP 3: The Diode

Tape the capacitor(s) to the relay holder.
Solder the diode in as shown in the picture. Be sure to heat sink it!
Then solder the relay coil "+" wire to the "+" side of the capacitor(s).

STEP 4: Wiring

Pictures are better than words here, so click through...

STEP 5: Weatherproofing

Apply gobs of hot glue to all exposed metal to seal out moisture and dirt. You can probably get better results if you use something like Plasti-Dip, but I didn't have it.

STEP 6: Repeat

Yeah, that's right. Make another one. One for each side (passenger and driver). But don't worry, you're halfway there! High-five!

STEP 7: Done! (with the Circuits)

That's right! now just to install them somewhere in the car...

So grab a cold one (or whatever refreshing beverage you like) and enjoy the success of having completed the most tedious part!

STEP 8: Attach to the Car

So where exactly does this attach to the car? Well, I'll tell you.

(all wire colors are in reference to my project. if you used different colors, use those)

First start off by finding the positive and negative wires for both the turn signal and marker light.
Cut the positive wire to the marker light.
Attach the YELLOW wire to the bulb positive.
Attach the RED wire to the marker light source positive.
Splice the BLUE/GREEN wire into the turn signal positive.
Splice the BLACK wire into the turn signal negative.

All connections are crimped to avoid hot solder burning stuff. They are heat-shrunk to seal out the elements
Test before re-assembling.

STEP 9: Final Pictures and Video...

...along with application ideas.

I'm using this circuit for my front turn signals, but you can easily use this for brake lights, side marker lights, and just about any light on the car. Also, this can be used for wiring trailer tail lights. 


HAVE FUN!!! 
(post some pictures of your set-up, if you want)

UPDATE: I recently made a trailer light controller using this circuit. It's a lot easier when you only need to make one trip to Radio Shack...
<IMG SRC="http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/irab88/CIMG7509.jpg" ALT="Trailer Light Controller">

(disclaimer: I am not responsible for anything you do. I will not pay your ticket if an officer pulls you over for a STREET LEGAL modification. It's your car. I will not pay your medical expenses (if you get shocked by the capacitor or burned with hot glue or...), as I already had to pay for mine. Be safe, be smart.)

Comments

[ianrab]

Video of the circuit in action:



http://www.youtube.com/embed/mDSxSAiZOlE

[skwoorl]

I'm wondering would this circuit would work for led marker lights or only incandescent bulbs.

[ianrab]

You can tell I check this often... HA!
It will work with both just the same. Some newer cars may have fancy bulb-detection circuits, so just be on the lookout for that.

[ianrab]

Yes, the circuit should work fine for LED bulbs. You may need to also install an electronic flasher (cheap, search for "electronic turn signal flasher" for your car). I plan on adding this effect to my trailer, using the amber bulbs on the side.

[l8nite]

Maybe new cars are different and I admit its been a long time since I was a volunteer fireman but we just ran a wire from the turn signal to the side marker lights, or to make the marker flash out of time with the turnsignal we ran a switched flasher fuse to the marker or fog lights. That being said, I enjoyed reading your ible

[ianrab]

Here's what I had before this circuit:

http://gickr.com/results4/anim_e018bf91-8d8a-c884-59f9-d0e1e50a4496.gif

[ianrab]

Thanks. Yeah, that does sound easier. The only issue with the one-wire method are that it would turn all the running lights on with the flasher. That means the instrument panel, rear marker lights, and whatever else comes on. It just wouldn't be noticeable unless it was dark out, but those lights would be on anyway.

And this actually replaced a circuit that I had in before. It alternated the marker light and turn signal if the marker lights were on. The relays rusted out, so I wanted to do something a bit different.

[Phil B]

Thank you for a nice Instructable. I do not know that I will do it on my car, but I enjoyed reading about what you did.

[zazenergy]

What a cool mod!

[ianrab]

Thanks!