C14 aftermarket LED brake light / ???

[stevewfl]

I bought an aftermarket 4-LED light I use as a second brake light.  I built a custom mount and its under my license plate running along the bottom of it. I'm worried its TOOOOOOO BRIGHT.  Its a light made for police cars and ambulances.  I'm running it "alternating pattern" and this concerns me more as its an attention getter. At night it lights up houses down the street.

My question to those who have such a product:

Do you have it in steady brake light mode or "alternating"?  If in alternating, are you concerned it will really p*ss people off behind you at night, and are you concerned some lunatic with a carry permit will shot you over it?

Is there a "night mode" for these lights to avoid blinding people at night or scaring grandma into heart attack?


http://www.fleetsafety.com/TLED04-Axixtech-Four-Diode-Surface-Mount-LED-Light-1092

[RBX QB]

How directional are the LED's? Could you aim them down a little to lessen the glare to other drivers? I know the Hyperlites have a definite angle to them that could be "aimed" in some fashion.

[stevewfl]

How directional are the LED's? Could you aim them down a little to lessen the glare to other drivers? I know the Hyperlites have a definite angle to them that could be "aimed" in some fashion.

Yeah I looked at that but from any angle they are BRIGHT, like they're designed to be seen from any angle.

I went out tonight and rode and wow, I can see them flashing against the lens of people stopped behind me wearing glasses

[EpicBadass]

So let me get this straight, you're complaining about people being able to see you TOO well? 

Sounds like I'll be ordering these.   

[ZG]

 
 
Steve with a farkle?? 
 
Next up will be an exhaust bro... 

[maxtog]

My question to those who have such a product:

Do you have it in steady brake light mode or "alternating"?

Neither.  I have an Admore and it has a built-in timer.  It will flash rapidly 4 times, then go solid.  And it won't flash again until it has been 20-30 seconds without using the brake, to prevent annoyance during stop and go traffic.

If in alternating, are you concerned it will really p*ss people off behind you at night,

I would be concerned about that, yes.  By the way, several companies sell a module that will do the rapid flash and then solid and delay before reflash, so it can be added to any light, even the stock one.

[maxtog]

So let me get this straight, you're complaining about people being able to see you TOO well? 

There is a difference between good visibility and just annoying people.  It is just like the people who run with their highbeams on in the day- who don't care how annoying it is to other drivers, because all they care about is being "seen", when in reality, it can be more than just annoying- it can dazzle and blind some people, and make it HARDER to see where the bike is.  But there is a solution for that too- properly adjusted running lights...

[stevewfl]

Neither.  I have an Admore and it has a built-in timer.  It will flash rapidly 4 times, then go solid.  And it won't flash again until it has been 20-30 seconds without using the brake, to prevent annoyance during stop and go traffic.

I would be concerned about that, yes.

This one has 18 options, just wondering which people use.  Its so bright its about dangerous.

[stevewfl]

There is a difference between good visibility and just annoying people.  It is just like the people who run with their highbeams on in the day- who don't care how annoying it is to other drivers, because all they care about is being "seen", when in reality, it can be more than just annoying- it can dazzle and blind some people, and make it HARDER to see where the bike is.  But there is a solution for that too- properly adjusted running lights...

^^^^that!

I may set it to steady brake or two bursts and a steady or such

[stevewfl]

 
Steve with a farkle?? 
 
Next up will be an exhaust bro... 

my track bikes get so many mods it'd take a page or two for a listing. this bike is just a beater road trip bike, its luck to get a washing off heh

it has a givi E55 and TM, GPS, etc but I wanted this brake light before I hit NYC and such on my way up to maine for lobster and canada just to raise %$#$.  some of us ride a little ways =)

[stevewfl]

Neither.  I have an Admore and it has a built-in timer.  It will flash rapidly 4 times, then go solid.  And it won't flash again until it has been 20-30 seconds without using the brake, to prevent annoyance during stop and go traffic.

I would be concerned about that, yes.  By the way, several companies sell a module that will do the rapid flash and then solid and delay before reflash, so it can be added to any light, even the stock one.

good stuff, I may change mine to such a flash scenario too

[Conrad]

 
Steve with a farkle?? 
 
Next up will be an exhaust bro... 

Then he'll pin his bags...

[stevewfl]

Then he'll pin his bags...

That would require a strange event........   1st my KiPass battery would have to die (before I replaced it ahead)........ and 2nd I'd find myself in a position to not be able to get a battery. If this happens I'm grabbing my DeWalt drill and a couple of pins 

[reesedp]

Yeah I looked at that but from any angle they are BRIGHT, like they're designed to be seen from any angle.

I went out tonight and rode and wow, I can see them flashing against the lens of people stopped behind me wearing glasses

Epilepsy lawsuit coming for sure Steve.  You sure the KIPASS firmware cant be altered to adjust this?

[stevewfl]

Epilepsy lawsuit coming for sure Steve.  You sure the KIPASS firmware cant be altered to adjust this?

Yes sir, I'm confident the mad pow-ah of KiPass software/firmware can make anything possible. I just dunno' how to do it 

[lt1]

You might consider:

Lens tinting spray.  I am no fan of blacked out taillights, but this might be a reasonable application.
Vinyl windshield tinting film might be another option.  Since the amount needed for the application would be so small, a tint shop might just give you the film from their leftover scraps.
Edit:  For all I know, there may be film made specifically for taillights as well.

FWIW, I appreciate your consideration of your fellow riders and drivers in this matter.

[stevewfl]

You might consider:

Lens tinting spray.  I am no fan of blacked out taillights, but this might be a reasonable application.
Vinyl windshield tinting film might be another option.  Since the amount needed for the application would be so small, a tint shop might just give you the film from their leftover scraps.
Edit:  For all I know, there may be film made specifically for taillights as well.

FWIW, I appreciate your consideration of your fellow riders and drivers in this matter.

NICE ideas, thanks I'll consider these

[jjsC6]

Steve, I was having a conversation with someone I work with today about LED lighting (I work in the electrical supply industry).  He was telling me that some LED's can be dimmed with conventional dimmers.  If I get time, I may go buy a super bright LED (might even have one already) and go down to Radio Shack and pick up a cheap DC dimmer and try it.  Just food for thought right now.  If it works, you would have a completely variable brightness control.

[Breaker19]

I bought an aftermarket 4-LED light I use as a second brake light.  I built a custom mount and its under my license plate running along the bottom of it. I'm worried its TOOOOOOO BRIGHT.  Its a light made for police cars and ambulances.  I'm running it "alternating pattern" and this concerns me more as its an attention getter. At night it lights up houses down the street.

My question to those who have such a product:

Do you have it in steady brake light mode or "alternating"?  If in alternating, are you concerned it will really p*ss people off behind you at night, and are you concerned some lunatic with a carry permit will shot you over it?

Is there a "night mode" for these lights to avoid blinding people at night or scaring grandma into heart attack?


http://www.fleetsafety.com/TLED04-Axixtech-Four-Diode-Surface-Mount-LED-Light-1092

I have a Whelen Engineering model, it's bright as heck also. But I mounted it way low where the reflector was located. Right now, it's hooked to a standard relay so it's on all the time. I used to have a DEI pulse timer relay, cannot find it anywhere. So I found a cheap one on Ebay and just ordered it. I want to have the light flashing for only a set length of time, so it won't be so terribly bright on anyone stopped up close to the bike. At night just the reflection of the light bouncing off is almost overwhelming.

In regards to your question about "night mode," that would depend on the unit. Many lightbars and lights do have a circuit to toggle from high to low and back again. But I don't know about your unit and my Whelen will not either. It has three wires, two for power and one for programming. I installed a momentary switch under the seat to program if I like on the fly. I have mine set for a series of fast flashes and then slower, longer pulses.

[stevewfl]

Thanks =)