How can I make my light flash with one switch and steady burn with a second?

[ParamedicB]

Hello,

I've attempted a brilliant idea for my wiring with less success than expected. I recently got left and right scene lights and was very happy to have them wired to individual switches for left and right as needed. I already had a lightbar and had the brilliant idea to wire it into the external flasher. It was a great idea and flashes great when activated, however now when I try to turn on the individual left and right they activate the flasher and steady burn.

Someone suggested to me a diode but I've never used a diode with wiring like this. I tried searching for diode related posts and came up with post related to a light diode and not wiring diodes. Would a diode work? If so how is that wired in?

Many thanks for any help. If nothing ends up working I can easily revert back to how it was, but I really liked this idea.

 

[shues]

Yes, diodes would work. As I understand it, you should be able to install diodes in the wires you added last: those that lead from your lightheads to your external flasher.

Install the diodes so that they allow current to flow from the flasher to the lightheads to make them flash, and so they block current from flowing from the lightheads to the flasher.

A good, basic introduction to diodes is here: https://www.the12volt.com/diodes/diodes.asp

 

[HCSO249]

Wish you were closer to me! I have all sorts of crap to resolve that issue for you. I can't explain it as well as I can wire it up for ya.

 

[ParamedicB]

Thanks Shues for the guide! I just have to do some more research into it. Lol.

HCSO249. LOL roadtrip! Your name makes me think of Harris County Sherrifs Office and the road 249 here Haha!

 

[shues]

PM me your address, and I'll mail you a handful of diodes.

 

[HCSO249]

Close...Howell & badge#

 

[Phillyrube]

I did something similar to a light setup I had. In the Navy stationed in Virginia I had a car with California plates, so I set it up Calspec style. Had a flashing amber sealed beam on the rear deck. Grill lights I had two red sealed beams, hooked to a school bus flasher. On one of the flasher output terminals I had a large power diode, got it from the electrical shop I was working in. It was part of a rectifier bridge in an auxiliary power plant, but similar to an automotive alternator diode.

Hooked by itself, lights flashed. Then I ran another power wire to the negative side of the diode. Just remember that when flashing, the diode will feed back to the switch. Not a problem during operation, but could cause some lightning when installing.

 

[ParamedicB]

Huge thanks to shues for sending me some! I sautered and wired it up today and it works exactly as I wanted!

 

[shues]

I'm happy to have helped!

 

[C1557]

What size Diode would I need for a typical led break light?

 

[MtnMan]

What size Diode would I need for a typical led break light?

A 1 or 2 amp diode would probably be adequate, but diodes are so cheap, you might as well go with 10A. The larger wire size will make easier and more durable connections.

 

[C1557]

Thanks

 

[Nolines]

And wouldn't it be easier with one switch, up for flash, center for off, down for steady??

 

[redrdr67]

And wouldn't it be easier with one switch, up for flash, center for off, down for steady??

I always used a single pole double throw(SPDT) switch for that application. Always worked great.

 

[C1557]

And wouldn't it be easier with one switch, up for flash, center for off, down for steady??

I was referring to the Tail Lights. you would need to install a diode when using it with a flasher

 

[Nolines]

I was referring to the Tail Lights. you would need to install a diode when using it with a flasher

Yes but I meant instead of using 2 switches like what was mentioned... trying to simply it.

 

[Jarred J.]

necrothreading strikes again...