Strobing LED brake light idea

[Guest]

Ran across this writeup and thought someone here might find it interesting as well:

http://petemills.blogspot.com/2012/04/tenty-led-brake-lights.html

This exceeds my current electronic skills, but might be a good learning project.

—Chris

[Gibbelstein]

Since I'm posting, I saw this LED speedo the other day too:

http://www.martyndavis.com/?p=311

As long as you're not attached to your odometer.

—Chris

[Steve]

The brake light modulator (and the speedo, for that matter) is very interesting,
but there are so many versions already available for the transfer of a few monetary credits,
you would really have to want something really "special" to do it yourself.

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[Flying W Man]

Is it legal?

[Gibbelstein]

Steve: That's assuming the point is just to have it. There is something to be said for making it. There are a lot of DIY folks on this board for instance.

FWM: It probably varies by state/province/city, but that guy seemed to think it would pass the test in his area. That's not to say that even if it is "legal" you would be free from being harassed, er... pulled over regularly.

[tkent02]

Or rear ending by drivers blinded by the light.

[Killer2600]

Or rear ending by drivers blinded by the light.

Alot of riders don't understand this concept, they think without limit brighter is better.

As a rider myself, I hate seeing a rider with a strobe/modulating headlight or someone riding with the high beams on. It's distracting, blinding, and makes my ride unsafe. Brake lights are generally better but too bright is no good.

[Gibbelstein]

The strobing headlight always seems to me like someone has a charging problem.

[Steve]

Is it legal?

In most places, yes, but there might be some limitations.

Only one I know for sure is California, where it can flash for no more than four seconds before going steady, not sure if it can repeat or not.

There are Federal statutes on headlight modulators. They are legal everywhere, as long as they meet the statutes. Not only that, the wording in the statute makes it illegal for any 'lesser' government (state, county, local) to make them illegal.

I continue to use mine, but try to do so in a courteous manner.

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