Adding a 3rd Brake Light.
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Postmaster
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
Adding a 3rd Brake Light.
I have the 93 model without the 3rd brake light. I want to put one, but found a problem...If i tap into the brake wire, the Light will flash if i use the turn signal. Is there another wire i can use or a different way to do it?
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Miami
you have to tap into the wire that comes off the brake pedal under the dash. It's the same wire that you would tap into to add a trailer brake controller.
I'm not sure what color it is on your truck. Maybe someone else knows and can post it here.
I'm not sure what color it is on your truck. Maybe someone else knows and can post it here.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: New Jersey
for 93, there are two wires. Light green, and light green with a red stripe.
Light Green = brake lights
Light Green/Red = power feed to brake switch from hazzard switch
What are you using for a third brake light? The cargo light?
My cargo light still has a clear bulb in it for lighting the cargo bed when the doors are open or the interior lights are on, but I shoved a bunch of super bright red LED's and wired them to the brake light - dual purpose.
Light Green = brake lights
Light Green/Red = power feed to brake switch from hazzard switch
What are you using for a third brake light? The cargo light?
My cargo light still has a clear bulb in it for lighting the cargo bed when the doors are open or the interior lights are on, but I shoved a bunch of super bright red LED's and wired them to the brake light - dual purpose.
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Postmaster
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
Frederic, thats exactly what i want to do. I want to keep the clear bulb for lighting the cargo and want to add red for brake. So what wire am i tapping into here, the Light green or the Light Green/Red? Thanks for replies
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Great Idea
Originally Posted by frederic
My cargo light still has a clear bulb in it for lighting the cargo bed when the doors are open or the interior lights are on, but I shoved a bunch of super bright red LED's and wired them to the brake light - dual purpose.
Post Fiend
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From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by weymouth
I think this is a great idea. What was the brightness rating (mcd) of the red LEDs? How many did you use?
I used a 78xx regulator as a current regular, and to that ran them in four strings of six (2v drop each * 6 = 12V), with each string having a 10ohm resistor just in case an LED burns out, the other strings don't suck current up and burn out.
LEDS: http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/r3_specs.htm
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by weymouth
I think this is a great idea. What was the brightness rating (mcd) of the red LEDs? How many did you use?
I used a 78xx regulator as a current regular, and to that ran them in four strings of six (2v drop each * 6 = 12V), with each string having a 10ohm resistor just in case an LED burns out, the other strings don't suck current up and burn out.
LEDS: http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/r3_specs.htm
While they only have an 8 degree viewing angle, I have them mounted on a perfboard and bent the leads slightly to "fan" each side slightly. Between that and the minimal diffusing properties of the housing lens, you can't *not* see it. Its damn bright.
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Your regulator, a 7812 ? Why did you use a current regulator and resistors?
Were your strings of 6 wired in series or parallel?
Thank you very much for the info. I have a spare cargo light housing and lens and was planning to re-wire and lamp it and color the lens for a 3rd brake light only, but your idea is just what I was looking for.
I suppose I could make a whole new board for the light housing and wire a collection of bright white LEDs instead of the cargo light bulb.
Do you think it will draw from the current going to the brake lights such that they will be less bright? I was thinking of tapping into the wire at the brake light switch and running it to a 12v relay (or power transistor). The relay (or trans) would send power from a hot 12v source to the new 3rd brake light.
Were your strings of 6 wired in series or parallel?
Thank you very much for the info. I have a spare cargo light housing and lens and was planning to re-wire and lamp it and color the lens for a 3rd brake light only, but your idea is just what I was looking for.
I suppose I could make a whole new board for the light housing and wire a collection of bright white LEDs instead of the cargo light bulb.
Do you think it will draw from the current going to the brake lights such that they will be less bright? I was thinking of tapping into the wire at the brake light switch and running it to a 12v relay (or power transistor). The relay (or trans) would send power from a hot 12v source to the new 3rd brake light.