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I am a volunteer firefighter and I am thinking about putting a "hide-a-flash" strobe in each of daylight running lamps case. The strobe would be right next to the DRL lamp. The problem is that if I need to use the strobes during daylight, it would be hardly visible because the DRL will also be running at that time. My idea is to get a relay that will turn the DRL off when I turn the strobes on. The relay would need one terminal for DRL input wire (goes from the source to the relay), one terminal for DRL output wire (goes from relay to the DRL lights), and one terminal for wire from strobe source switch (the switch that will be inside the truck to turn the strobes on). The relay should de-engergize the contact between the DRL input and output wires when the relay get a source from the strobe switch.
Do you know a relay that will work in this situation? If so please let me know what kind of relay I will need. Thanks.
Maverick
10-19-2002, 21:58
Don't know if it makes any difference or not but just turn your headlights on during the day. Your DRL's would be off and the strobes would show plus you would have headlights. If you hit the dome 4 times and select park lamps your headlights would go off. I don't think the DRL's come back on. Lot easier than installing relays.
Maverick - That's what I thought of before but when firefighters get called to a fire call, all they want to do is to run and jump into the truck, turn the strobes on and go. I don't think I would want to take an extra few seconds to turn the DRL off because every second count.
Maverick
10-20-2002, 02:32
Just pull the fuse for your DRL's and you can have your strobes in that location that can be seen day or night.
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If you turned the headlight switch on and the strobe switch on, you would have what you want. Not a big deal to turn on 2 switches. Wouldn't have to worry about dome light stuff.
Radio Shack makes a relay with 2 sets of contacts. One set is normally closed, the other open. Whan the relay is energized, the positions reverse. It can be connected directly to wiring, or a plug wired in and the relay plugged into it. Sorry, but while I have a bunch of them on one of my trucks, I don't have a number.
Take the advice and turn on your head lights. A few seconds won't hurt you and remember you need to arive alive! (without killing anyone). Even if your state laws allow you, as a volunteer, to respond using flashing lights I would check and see if you must have an audible warning device as well. Personal liability should be on your mind as well. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE AND LIABLE for your actions. If you get an alarm and can't think to turn on your head light as well as strobes, then you need to learn, slow down and think. When you get to your location you need to think as well. I disagree when you say "That's what I thought of before but when firefighters get called to a fire call, all they want to do is to run and jump into the truck, turn the strobes on and go." NOT all firefighters are like that. That's called "Getting the Bell S^!ts!" Emergency driving is skill achieved through training along with experience.
I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but volunteers need to be professionals and think like professionals. The public cannot trust you if you can't be trusted to drive responsible under emergency conditions.
Your dedication is commendable and the public thanks you, but please be safe while keeping us safe. ;)
chevmeister
10-20-2002, 07:51
You need a SPDT relay (Single pole Double throw).
Terminal # 85: +12 VDC
Terminal # 86: Chassis Ground
Terminal # 87a & #87b & #30: SPDT Contacts
Check Chrutchfield Starter kill relay should work.
[ 10-20-2002: Message edited by: chevmeister ]</p>
Luis - I know that I can turn the headlights on but I don't want them to be on with strobes on during daylight because that would make strobes become less visible too. Also I don't want to take some extra steps to make the system work because sometime I can forget when I get a call. I don't response to fire calls reckless. What I meant by that the firefighters want to run and jump into the truck, turn the strobes on and go I meant that when they get a big call such as a serious accident or structure fire, etc. Usually in these situations, we try to get to there a bit quicker but still not being reckless. When that happen, it can be easy to forget about taking extra steps to make the strobes system work the way we want it to be. Here in NYS, we are not permitted to use siren. I do not run through red lights as it is not allowed. Sometime when condition permit, I try to get to the call a bit quicker but still being careful and responsible when driving.
Chevmeister - thanks for the info. Do you know which of each terminal: #87a & #87b & #30 are to be connected to?
chevmeister
10-20-2002, 14:14
30 is your input. cant awnser which is which on a or b. best bet is cut your wire and hook it to 30 then hook the one to the light to either a or b. when it works without having the relay powered then thats your terminal. Just make sure your relay has all 5 terminals before you cut. Most likely there will be a diagram on the top or side of the relay.
IndigoDually
10-20-2002, 14:44
I put my blue strobes in the turn signal part of the lens and I changed the drl's to amber. The only problem is the colored strobe tubes get "washed out" looking and although they look dark blue when off they look light blue when on. The clear tubes look really good in the amber and red in the tail lights.
John
Today I took a closer look at the DRL lens and case, and it does not look like a good idea to drill through the DRL because it seems to be easy to mess up the DRL reflector. Also if I should have to take the strobes out, there would be hole visible through the DRL so I am elimating this option. However I am still looking at putting strobes in the corners or installing Nova MicroThin strobes that are only 1.5" in height, and 5" width. I still will want the DRL to be off during the daytime because I want the people to see the strobes instead of both DRL and strobes. So I will still be using the relay. Do any of you have experience with Nova MicroThin strobes? How do they look in the upper part of grill?
Chevmeister - no problem about that. I will just connect one of wire to either terminal and see if it work. If not then all I have to do is switch the wires between two terminals. Do you happen to know where the main wire that goes to the DRLs that I can reach and cut to make connection to the relay? Or do I need two relays, one at each DRL end? Thanks.
Those of you with the hide away strobes, could you post some pics of where u drilled the holes to install the lights? Also I am getting a Whelen hide a way kit, what type of switches should I buy? Thanks in advance. Don
"I put my blue strobes in the turn signal part of the lens" - IndigoDually
I have decided to get the Nova Microthin strobes and plan to install it behind the grill. However I would like some additional warning in front. I am wondering if there is a room for me to put hide-a-flash strobes in the amber marker corner, which is just right next to the turn signal lens. The reason I would like to put it in there is to have some warning power on the sides of my truck. Can this be done or won't there be enough room because of corner marker lamps inside the corner lens?
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