Manual backup light activation?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
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From: Bangkok, Thailand
Manual backup light activation?
Today was just another one of those days were every time I stopped at a light or in traffic, the moron behind me felt like they had to pull up as close as they could possibly get to me without making contact. Sets my blood pressure right up there with my coolant temp every time.
I'm wondering if there is an easy to access wire I can set up with a manual switch for a warning to these idiots. I'm also thinking about replacing the backup lights with some nice 100 watt fogs or something to really wake them up.
My alternative could be a rear-facing remote-triggered paintball gun
I'm wondering if there is an easy to access wire I can set up with a manual switch for a warning to these idiots. I'm also thinking about replacing the backup lights with some nice 100 watt fogs or something to really wake them up.
My alternative could be a rear-facing remote-triggered paintball gun
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
There's a switch in the transmission case. When you select reverse the switch closes and applies a voltage to the circuit. I guess if you took a wire to each side of that switch and routed them via a switch in the cockpit that would do what you want.
Last edited by DeeGee; Nov 10, 2011 at 03:54 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,592
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From: St Louis MO
I know what you mean. That's a pet peeve of mine too. Idiots trying to see what station your radio is on. Problem is, being that close, they're not going to see the backup lights. Maybe a spring loaded punch to the bumper would suffice.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 115
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From: MI
I used a TECH2 to manually activate them before. You can activate all lights manually with it. It was fun.
That's why I like rear fog lights. (not those bumper mounted rectangle ones you see on euro corvettes) I installed euro tails (clear turn signal lens one) and put a red bulb on the inside turn signal area and wired them separately. The inside brake light is just the tail light, since rear fogs need to be certain distances away from the brake lamp. The outside clear part is still the turn signal. Scares the crap out of tailgaters and annoying drivers behind you. But around here, I rarely run into weather conditions which require it.
I also like to turn them on in front of clueless American BMW/AUDI drivers who drive with rear fogs on when you don't need it. They must not know what a rear fog light is or something.
You can activate all lights manually with it. It was fun.That's why I like rear fog lights. (not those bumper mounted rectangle ones you see on euro corvettes) I installed euro tails (clear turn signal lens one) and put a red bulb on the inside turn signal area and wired them separately. The inside brake light is just the tail light, since rear fogs need to be certain distances away from the brake lamp. The outside clear part is still the turn signal. Scares the crap out of tailgaters and annoying drivers behind you. But around here, I rarely run into weather conditions which require it.
I also like to turn them on in front of clueless American BMW/AUDI drivers who drive with rear fogs on when you don't need it. They must not know what a rear fog light is or something.
Last edited by Baibaikin; Nov 10, 2011 at 08:20 AM.
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I agree that if they are that close, they probably won't notice the lights anyway. But I understand the frustration you feel.
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Burning Brakes
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From: casa conejo california: my casa sue's casa
Interesting thread.
I thought at first it was just an optical illusion how close other vehicles seem to be. But after getting more familiar with the car, I realized that these idiots, for some reason, want to see just how close they can get. I fail to see the reasoning or attraction.
I actually started paying more attention when driving my other vehicles and it hardly ever seems to happen. If I'm in my Silvy or the wife's TBSS, the drivers seem to keep their distance. Once in a while, on the Harley I'll get the same treatment(and this really irritates me), but not nearly as consistent as in the vette. Wassup with dat.
I thought at first it was just an optical illusion how close other vehicles seem to be. But after getting more familiar with the car, I realized that these idiots, for some reason, want to see just how close they can get. I fail to see the reasoning or attraction.
I actually started paying more attention when driving my other vehicles and it hardly ever seems to happen. If I'm in my Silvy or the wife's TBSS, the drivers seem to keep their distance. Once in a while, on the Harley I'll get the same treatment(and this really irritates me), but not nearly as consistent as in the vette. Wassup with dat.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have to have hi vis rear foglights here in UK. This is my current fit but I need to get louder maybe something along these lines?
maybe something along these lines?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Bangkok, Thailand
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
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- Wiring the reverse lights to come on at any time when you are not in reverse is an easy ticket
- Rear fog lights that are any color than Red or yellow shining in the reverse direction is an easy ticket
- pumping anything but clean clear water out from your car is a littering ticket
Not to mention provocation for road rage. I'm betting we have a lot more to lose than they do (seeing as we have an enviable car to begin with).
Recommendation: flash the brakes. If you want a good signal, they sell discrete high intensity red LED products like this at LED Outfitters
http://www.ledoutfitters.com/index.p...&category_id=8
I have the red SEM8 piece on the back of my motorcycle and I get noticed. Of course that's exactly what I want when riding on two wheels- I don't care how annoying my lights are, if they're annoying you that means you noticed I'm there and are 1000% less likely to pull out in front of me or rear-end me because you didn't see me.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
These are all unlawful solutions.
Recommendation: flash the brakes. If you want a good signal, they sell discrete high intensity red LED products like this at LED Outfitters
http://www.ledoutfitters.com/index.p...&category_id=8
I have the red SEM8 piece on the back of my motorcycle and I get noticed. Of course that's exactly what I want when riding on two wheels- I don't care how annoying my lights are, if they're annoying you that means you noticed I'm there and are 1000% less likely to pull out in front of me or rear-end me because you didn't see me.
- Wiring the reverse lights to come on at any time when you are not in reverse is an easy ticket
- Rear fog lights that are any color than Red or yellow shining in the reverse direction is an easy ticket
- pumping anything but clean clear water out from your car is a littering ticket
Recommendation: flash the brakes. If you want a good signal, they sell discrete high intensity red LED products like this at LED Outfitters
http://www.ledoutfitters.com/index.p...&category_id=8
I have the red SEM8 piece on the back of my motorcycle and I get noticed. Of course that's exactly what I want when riding on two wheels- I don't care how annoying my lights are, if they're annoying you that means you noticed I'm there and are 1000% less likely to pull out in front of me or rear-end me because you didn't see me.
I have seriously thought about a unit like the one I've seen for motorcycles that flashes the brake lights rapidly when you first apply them, then slows the flash to a steady on over a couple of seconds.
Advanced
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Yeah, I know - just stresses me out when they fly up on me and stop so close I can't see their headlights.
I have seriously thought about a unit like the one I've seen for motorcycles that flashes the brake lights rapidly when you first apply them, then slows the flash to a steady on over a couple of seconds.
I have seriously thought about a unit like the one I've seen for motorcycles that flashes the brake lights rapidly when you first apply them, then slows the flash to a steady on over a couple of seconds.
http://signaldynamics.com/index.php?...hk=1&Itemid=77
Maximize your Brake Light Effectiveness with BackOFF. This compact solid state electronic module converts your ordinary brake light into an attention getting visual alerting device, creating more visibility and conspicuity when you are stopped or stopping. With BackOFF installed, when you apply your brakes, it causes your brake light to automatically emit a visual alerting signal of 3 short light flashes, followed by 1 steady on light condition of 3.5 seconds. This signal automatically repeats itself as long as the brakes are applied. This pattern is not random, but has been selected because of its ability to gain and retain following drivers attention.
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http://www.bitoffun.com/video_vault/do-not-tailgate.htm
This is the Sopranos way of stopping tailgaters, works every time LOL.
This is the Sopranos way of stopping tailgaters, works every time LOL.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 80
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http://www.bitoffun.com/video_vault/do-not-tailgate.htm
This is the Sopranos way of stopping tailgaters, works every time LOL.
This is the Sopranos way of stopping tailgaters, works every time LOL.
