3rd Brake Light / Cyclops light

[GerryS]

I have a question. Since our trailers are so small, being conspicuous is important on the road. Thanks to the design of trailer brake lights, it's not possible to have a cyclops or 3rd brake light.

I am curious if there is a de and for this feature? I'm considering prototyping a solution for myself and want to gauge if there is any interest in the rest of the builder community to see if I want to market this, both to tear jerkers as well as to commercial manufacturers of cargo and utility trailer builders.

Let me know your thoughts, questions and concerns...

-G

[Dale M.]

Just tap into third brake light wiring for TV and extend it to trailer.....

My Chevy PU has wire extended out at 7 pin trailer connector for just such a feature..... If you own a late model Chev PU look for wire sticking out of loom near trailer plug tagged CHM Brakelight (or something similar)...

Dale

[Mukilteo]

I got one from JC Whitney. It was a 2 bulb unit that also worked as a turn signal.

[Corwin C]

I'm looking at possibly doing this as well. The circuit is a little tricky to prevent it from flashing when the turn signal is operating. The best solution I've run into (so far) is using relays (or transistors) and diodes in a latching configuration. It could take one half of a flash cycle to come on depending on when the brake was depressed within the flash cycle, but would then stay on until the brake was released. It would also flash with the hazard lights. If there's a better solution other than running a separate wire for the 3rd brake light from the TV (I've already dedicated all 7 pins in the trailer connection), I would be interested.

[aggie79]

Here's one that works as a 3-light ID for over 80" width trailers as well as a third brake light and turn indicator light:

http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=253-4400-7&utm_source=GoogleProducts&utm_medium=PriceEngine&utm_campaign=OneStopFeed&&gclid=CIrM9vb_57QCFZGiPAodFUsAOw

[Mukilteo]

I liked the turn signal feature on mine.
1 wire to ground, and one wire from the left & right brake/turn signal wires.
Real simple.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I used a license plate bracket made for a motorcycle. Its not up super high, but its directly in the line of site for most vehicles. Its tied directly into the other trailer lighting, and turns on low with the parking lights. Then each lens flashes brighter independently to indicate left or right turns, and then they also illuminate brighter together to indicate braking.

[JuneBug]

I've noticed an extra light on two cars in the last week. The first was some type of official car for the city transportation division. It was a Chrysler and on the center of the rear logo, there was a bright flashing red light. It was effective, but let's face it, really irritating. I had to shield my eyes. Driving home from work today, I saw a small car (Fiat 500) with a very bright red light on the rear center of the car. Again, so bright as to be almost irritating, but made the car magnitudes more visible to other cars.

[bdosborn]

I used an LED pickup tailgate light as a third brake light. The logic circuit is built in.


Bruce

P.S. The logic units for a third brake light are available cheaply at most auto parts store....

[SaabRally99]

I dug up the newest 3rd brake light thread I could find so I could share with you what i plan to do for my tear.

I'm putting a Hella 9071 series LED 3rd brake light on my outbacker on the lip below the kitchen. this is about window-wiper height for most cars. about grill height for a F150, etc. I don't want to go higher because the wiring and holes would be highly visible from the inside.

I'm not doing a logic circuit, i'm going to hook it up to the drivers side (left) blinker/stop light circuit. I'm putting an attention flasher module in the circuit before the 3rd light.

Under stopping conditions, it will rapid flash then steady on.

right turn, it will be off (unless i'm on the brakes) with my right turn being the only one flashing

left turn (my favorite, and when you're most likely to get hit), rapid flash, off, rapid flash, off, on and on, should be annoying as all hell.

Quinn

[SaabRally99]

http://www.amazon.com/Attention-Flasher ... 007I6P26Q/ flasher module

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media ... 000VU91JA/ LED center brake light from Hella

Quinn

[working on it]

Just a side note here. Flashing lights that are very bright and very rapid can cause epileptic seizures. I first learned of this from the old movie "Andromeda Strain". I later met someone who worked in a bar, and one night he had one due to the strobes going off. So it seems that in the quest to keep the trailers safe, one might inadvertently cause the accident to occur. Irony happens!

[SaabRally99]

Valid point. I don't think the rapid fire is sustained enough to do that, but with my set up it would be recurring. Do you guys think I should cancel the order for the rapid fire module and just use the LED light on the left like I had planned?

I like this wiring scheme because I only have to tear apart one side to wire it, and I've seen 3rd lights that blink with either side. I'm just choosing only left since you are often times dead stopped waiting to turn into a driveway..

[working on it]

I just threw that in to point out that nothing is without its risks, including safety measures. Just under 3% of the population is ever likely to be subject to any form of epilepsy, and far less than that is subject to light-induced seizures. And, of that small sample, as they age, they are less likely to succumb to an attack. You are far more likely to be run over by a soccer mom putting on make-up while driving (especially in the DFW area) than by an epileptic. I would put flashing, radioactive, glowing chevrons on the rear of my trailer, if that was not reserved for emergency vehicles! Go forward with your plans.

[Esteban]

The link Tom, aggie79, doesn't work for me. There is a part number 53-4400 in his link that (I think) matches the following slim ID, brake, and left/right turn signal lights:

R&P Carriages sells a multifunction slim 11 LED "3rd brake light" that is an ID light, a brake light, and has left and right turn signals. It is surface mounted and uses four wires (tail lights, ground, left turn, right turn). There are helpful photos with the lights on showing their different functions at R&P's EBAY website.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-combination-3-light-bar-high-mount-brake-light-red-/350432822797?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item51976c860d

Multi Function Rear Super bright 3 light Identification bar, That also functions as a high mount brake light. Lights up with turn signals and brake lights, Fully sealed.
Get one light that does it all! Add a extra measure of safety to any trailer!
With your headlights on, this unit acts as a normal 3 light bar.
Step on the brakes, and EIGHT SUPER BRIGHT LED's light up (between the 3 light bar) and let people know you are stopping!
And, when you are turning, 4 LED's each side blink with your turn signals, letting everyone know you plan to turn!
Dimensions:15.50" L x 1.60" W x .80" D

Edited to add, found a similar light at R&P Carriages for less. $19.95. http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-MADE-TecNiq-Red-HI-Mount-Center-Brake-Turn-ID-Bar-11-LED-Light-Trailer-Truck-/290963377869?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item43bec4cecd

They are also available from http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/stt/stt_53-4400.htm
and http://www.envy4x4.com/Slim_Line_LED_Light_Bars.html

DOT/SAE approved
11 LEDs in each light bar
Functions as 3 light ID Bar, 3rd brake light and left/right turn signal.
Shock and vibration proof
Submersible & weatherproof
Sonically Sealed polycarbonate lens and housing
Available in two styles:
Red LEDs with red lens
Red LEDs with clear lens
Space / Channel saver design
4 wire pigtail (tail lights, ground, left turn, right turn)
Surface mount
MADE IN USA

Red lens
$26.95 each
53-4400

Photos of the lights installed http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/stt/galleries/53-4400/53-4400-gallery.htm

Installation guide (pdf) http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/stt/Install%20-%2053-4400-ID,%20CHMSL,%20Turn.pdf