alternating flashing headlights
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alternating flashing headlights
Does anyone know how to rig the headlights on a 2004 F150 to flash and alternate like the police cars do. I have seen kits in magazines but i think it can be done cheaper and without buying a kit. I have read that it can be done using a flasher and some relays, however i do not know exactly how to wire everything. Does anyone have any ideas, or even just a wire shematic for the 04 F150 may get me started.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 22
From: Murphysboro, IL
I'd buy the kit to do it. I don't know if this site would have it but you could look and try:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/S...-10101/s-10101
I doubt this one would but it won't hurt to look at it:
http://www.premiere-electronics.net/index.shtml
I don't think I would want to use them on the road unless you hae a darn good reason to. But it would be fun to pull up to a party somewhere and turn them on.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/S...-10101/s-10101
I doubt this one would but it won't hurt to look at it:
http://www.premiere-electronics.net/index.shtml
I don't think I would want to use them on the road unless you hae a darn good reason to. But it would be fun to pull up to a party somewhere and turn them on.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
If you have factory fog lights, you already have that feature, sort of. Have you ever noticed that the fog lights automatically turn off when you go to high beams, then come right back on when you switch back to lows? Turn on your regular lights, the fog lights, then go to high beams. Switch back to the lows, then PULL BACK on the high beam lever for a moment to flash the highs. Release the lever so you go back to lows, forward for the highs, back to lows, pull back again for the flash, and just keep doing this till you get the right "timing." Do it too fast or too slow and it just doesn't look right.
Now, you won't get the side-to-side action the cops have, it will be vertical movement. But for 99% of the motoring public, it STILL looks like something in their rearview mirror that they need to get out of the way for. All I'll say is, the few times I've used it, it was VERY effective.
Now, you won't get the side-to-side action the cops have, it will be vertical movement. But for 99% of the motoring public, it STILL looks like something in their rearview mirror that they need to get out of the way for. All I'll say is, the few times I've used it, it was VERY effective.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 302
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From: St. Joseph, MO
Go to Galls.com. I think that is the site. Or do a search for Galls. They sell alot of stuff for police, fire, and ems.
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Originally Posted by bwep
I"d go down to your local police department tell them what you want to do. I,m sure they can help out. Maybe they have some blue lights laying around you can have?
? You should all know that it is illegal to use flashing lights of colors associated with emergency vehicles, if you are not driving an authorized emergency vehicle. Love writing those tickets 
! The only use for them is when you are sitting in a parking lot, not moving. You'd look pretty retarded.
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From: St. Joseph, MO
Originally Posted by BigDogJeepin
You're kidding, right ? You should all know that it is illegal to use flashing lights of colors associated with emergency vehicles, if you are not driving an authorized emergency vehicle. Love writing those tickets ! The only use for them is when you are sitting in a parking lot, not moving. You'd look pretty retarded.
? You should all know that it is illegal to use flashing lights of colors associated with emergency vehicles, if you are not driving an authorized emergency vehicle. Love writing those tickets ! The only use for them is when you are sitting in a parking lot, not moving. You'd look pretty retarded.You can use them in parades or car or truck shows. Different strokes for different folks
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I apreciate the help guys. But you missed an important part of the question. I am trying to do this without spending the large chunk of change on the kits. I am trying to figure out a way to do it using a flasher and maybe a spdt relay but i do not want to send 12v into a headlight wire not knowing exactly the results. My idea is a flasher to the coil of a SPDT relay, one relay leg to one headlight positive, the other leg to the other headlight positve. Then when a switch is turned on the flasher will alternate the relay between NO and NC. The problem is if i send 12v to a headlight that is not turned on Via the factory headlight switch i do not know if it will hurt anything.
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
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Your idea using the flasher relay will work, but you must use an electronic style rather than the traditional style which requires a large load to work.
(Have you ever seen an old car with a trailer hooked up, and the lights flashed really fast? That's why. The increased electrical load drained electricity too fast for the flasher).
The electronic style are marked as such at the car partrs store. And no, you will not hurt anything by sending 12 volts into the headlights.
You will need a second relay to provide power to your relay that switches left to right. Remember that the relay will still be switched to the NC side when there is no power to its coil. The second relay must provide the power to the switching relay coil.
(Have you ever seen an old car with a trailer hooked up, and the lights flashed really fast? That's why. The increased electrical load drained electricity too fast for the flasher).
The electronic style are marked as such at the car partrs store. And no, you will not hurt anything by sending 12 volts into the headlights.
You will need a second relay to provide power to your relay that switches left to right. Remember that the relay will still be switched to the NC side when there is no power to its coil. The second relay must provide the power to the switching relay coil.
Last edited by BigDogJeepin; Feb 9, 2005 at 08:19 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 68
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From: Long Neck, Delaware
I'm a vol. firefighter and have had "wig wag" flashers in my past two trucks (didn't want to cut the headlight wires on the new 04) and you can buy them at a reasonable price. Sirennet is the cheapest site I've found for any warning lights. Galls has a flasher that costs right round $20. I dunno bout the rest of you guys but I would feel more comfortable with a flasher unit designed for just such a purpose. I have also installed these units on several vehicles for some of my fellow firefighters and they are quite easy to do.
And just to let you know the strobe kits that were referred by ISUPhiPsi1052 require drilling a 1" hole in the back of the light housing. Plus they are very expensive (if you buy the good ones).
If decide you want to put a little bit of money into the project you can install LED lights in the grille. The ones I bought were $50 each and no need for a flasher unit. They are much brighter then strobe, draw less amps and would take around 24 hours to even start to drain the battery, with the truck off. I have pics in my gallery of them. If you have any ?s feel free to contact me.
And just to let you know the strobe kits that were referred by ISUPhiPsi1052 require drilling a 1" hole in the back of the light housing. Plus they are very expensive (if you buy the good ones).
If decide you want to put a little bit of money into the project you can install LED lights in the grille. The ones I bought were $50 each and no need for a flasher unit. They are much brighter then strobe, draw less amps and would take around 24 hours to even start to drain the battery, with the truck off. I have pics in my gallery of them. If you have any ?s feel free to contact me.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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StreetGlow has something
Hey I saw this & thought I'd pass it along:
StreetGlow sells a "Strobe Controller"
A strobe control module controls special flash sequence functions for Chase,Flash,Zig Zag or Speed of a headlight strobe light display. It includes 2 white headlight strobes & operates up to 4 headlight strobe lights. Comes w/ installation instructions & hardware.
It lists for $129.95 but out of my wholesale book its around $50 / I would need to get the updated pricing from my sales rep.
That is the way "I" would go IF I would add such a feature. There are other cheapier ways & if interested in kits that are under $50 I'll share w/ you.
Have fun
StreetGlow sells a "Strobe Controller"
A strobe control module controls special flash sequence functions for Chase,Flash,Zig Zag or Speed of a headlight strobe light display. It includes 2 white headlight strobes & operates up to 4 headlight strobe lights. Comes w/ installation instructions & hardware.
It lists for $129.95 but out of my wholesale book its around $50 / I would need to get the updated pricing from my sales rep.
That is the way "I" would go IF I would add such a feature. There are other cheapier ways & if interested in kits that are under $50 I'll share w/ you.
Have fun
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 441
Likes: 6
From: Madison, WI
I can only speak from experience, but in Wisconsin such a modification is illegal. This includes use for Firefighters, EMTs, Parades, Car Shows, Tow Trucks....
As long as the equipment is INSTALLED in the vehicle, this makes the vehicle violate the motor vehicle equipment laws.
I am a volunteer firefighter/emt and law enforcement officer and have had to write tickets to firefighters that i've seen using such lights to get through traffic.
State law in Wisconsin dictates that such equipment be reserved for state recognized emergency vehicles only. The only type of flashing, strobing, or revolving light that may be placed on a non-emergency vehicle (firefighter/emt personal vehicles are NOT emergency vehicles) is lights that are AMBER, and located on the top most portion of the vehicle.
It's best to check your state laws and make sure that what you are trying to do will not land you a several hundred dollar ticket, and or have your car impounded until it can be made "road worthy".
Thanks,
MK
As long as the equipment is INSTALLED in the vehicle, this makes the vehicle violate the motor vehicle equipment laws.
I am a volunteer firefighter/emt and law enforcement officer and have had to write tickets to firefighters that i've seen using such lights to get through traffic.
State law in Wisconsin dictates that such equipment be reserved for state recognized emergency vehicles only. The only type of flashing, strobing, or revolving light that may be placed on a non-emergency vehicle (firefighter/emt personal vehicles are NOT emergency vehicles) is lights that are AMBER, and located on the top most portion of the vehicle.
It's best to check your state laws and make sure that what you are trying to do will not land you a several hundred dollar ticket, and or have your car impounded until it can be made "road worthy".
Thanks,
MK
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