Flashing 3rd Brake Light

[Valhalla]

In the interest of safety and not getting ass-ended in this part of the world, widely recognized as the worst driving in history, I wanted to add a mod to make my car more visible. I wanted to add a flashing 3rd brake light. I did some research and found this;

http://www.kahtec.com/smart_stop.htm

Looked right and did all I was looking for so I got the delayed version. This should be great in heavy traffic because if you are on the brakes constantly, it will stop the flashing sequence if you don't touch your brakes for less than 8 seconds. Looks great.
View attachment 97454

So I receive it in the mail. Got here quick and I open the box. It's all there with these big ass connectors and I starting to think, where in the hell am I going to install this? The directions say to not let the controller get wet or subject it to heat. As I am looking at the wiring exiting the trunk and heading into the car, it exits by the hinge (potentially getting wet) and enters the car through the firewall into the engine compartment (plenty of heat). So my question is, is there enough room if I were to remove the wing and install it there? I've never had the wing off but if it will fit, that would be stealth.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Valhalla]

Got it. Pulled the wing off and there is plenty of room to tuck the controller away. Whole thing took 15 minutes and it works perfectly.
View attachment 97471View attachment 97472

I'll post a video later.

- - - Updated - - -

Here is the video. You will see that when you hit the brakes the first time, the 3rd light will flash 6 times quickly. If you don't let the controller reset (this takes about 8 seconds) the flash will not occur. The 3rd brake light will just stay on solid like your main brake lights. Nice little mod that should provide some added safety and looks pretty nice.
http://youtu.be/-56VH4AK16g

 

[Hapa88]

This is awesome. I just ordered one! Was the wiring hard? I assume you just need to "tap" into the existing wiring?

 

[TURBO2GO]

Which one are you guys getting?

 

[Hapa88]

I think we both ordered "Blinking Smart Stop (Delay) Third Brake Light Module"

 

[racer9x]

I think we both ordered "Blinking Smart Stop (Delay) Third Brake Light Module"

Nice, can someone confirm if the one mentioned above is in fact the one being used, I would like to perform this mod as well:smile:

 

[Valhalla]

Yep, that's the one. You can go more expensive and order the one that you can program for speed and duration but I just wanted something that would do the job. Set it and forget it. As to wiring, black to black and make sure you connect the red and blue as the directions state. If you hook it up and you don't get the flashing, you hooked it up backward as to red and blue wires.

 

[NSX-Barque]

+1^

 

[S2kvee]

Lots of rider uses these type of modules for their bikes... Considering the size of a brake light on a bike is so small.. A flashing red bright led should catch the attention... I also see local cops use these

 

[BATMANs]

Is this legal in CA?

 

[Valhalla]

As to my knowledge and their advertisement, it is legal in all 50 states.

 

[bullithollywood]

There's quite a bit of room behind the 3rd brake light if you don't want to remove the tail. I did this a while back and spliced directly into the LED light bar's connector so I didn't have to cut any of the wiring in the tail. Secure it with some double-sided body tape so it doesn't rattle around.

 

[Hapa88]

As to wiring, black to black and make sure you connect the red and blue as the directions state. If you hook it up and you don't get the flashing, you hooked it up backward as to red and blue wires.

Need some help here.
I hooked mine up per the instructions and the 3rd brake light doesn't even come on at all, much less blink. Would that be from swapping wires?

I double checked the LED brake light with a 9V battery and it works. Next I'm going to put the wires back to OEM to make sure I'm getting current (don't have a volt meter). Any other suggestions?


EDIT: Just figured it out. I had the wiring correct the whole time. What I didn't notice was that the wiring somehow got cut going into the trunk lid right next to the trunk gas strut... It must have gotten wrapped funny because it was a clean cut through both wires.

Anyway, once I patched those up with some butt connectors everything worked as advertised! Thanks again to the OP for this idea!

 

[Valhalla]

My pleasure. I get compliments on it and I do see some new cars on the road with this installed.

 

[clean_green]

I just completed this cool little mod and I love it! Cheap, easy, looks cool and might keep me from being rear-ended - what more could you want :smile:

 

[Formula93]

Good find! Looking forward to doing this on my NSX.

 

[Quix-Draw]

I installed a similar product (from Web Electric Products) on my wing light. Very easy to wire in and very happy with the results. I was always thankful that the wing light was so bright, but concerned the car would be "overlooked" because of the low height. Anyway, I have much more faith I'm being seen from behind now during braking.

Too, my light flashes 4 times on initial step on brakes, but doesn't flash if I take my foot off pedal and reapply brakes. This feature resets in about 15 seconds to full-blink mode.

Also, I installed sequential signals from WEP as well... A little more involved, but love the look/effect... I installed spade connectors if I had to cut into the harness (gasp!!) to make the install totally reversible...

-QD